Nick Markakis, Retired


Date of Birth: 11/17/1983
Birthplace: Glen Cove, New York
College: Young Harris College
Nickname: Kakes

Nick Markakis, retired right fielder, started in college as a pitcher and outfielder. His pitching statistics were as impressive as his batting ones, having a 12-0 win-loss record with a 1.68 ERA and a .439 batting average.

Markakis was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2003 and he spent his first two years in their minor league teams, playing very well for them. In 2006, he joined the Orioles and finished his rookie year with a .291 batting average, 143 hits, 25 doubles, and 16 home runs. The next year was perhaps his best season, with a .300 batting average, 191 hits, 43 doubles, 23 home runs, 112 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases.

In 2013, Markakis batted .271 with 172 hits and 24 doubles in 160 games. He finished the 2014 season with similar numbers, batting .276 with 177 hits and 27 doubles in 155 games. In the postseason, he had 8 hits, including 1 double and 1 home run, and 3 RBIs in 31 at-bats in 7 games.

Known as a very good fielder, Markakis won a Gold Glove in 2011. That season, he led the major leagues in outfield fielding percentage, making no errors in 157 games in right field. He won a second Gold Glove in 2014, again making no errors as a right fielder.

On December 3, 2014, Markakis signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. He finished the 2015 season with 181 hits, 38 doubles, 53 RBIs, and a .296 batting average in 156 games. As a right fielder, he made 295 putouts and 1 error for a .997 fielding percentage.

Markakis batted .269 in 158 games with the Braves in 2016. He had 161 hits, 38 doubles, 13 home runs, and 89 RBIs. Defensively, as the Braves' right fielder in 150 games, he made 311 putouts and 4 errors for a .988 fielding percentage.

Markakis had a good season in 2017, finishing with a .275 batting average in 160 games. He had 163 hits, 39 doubles, 76 RBIs, and 110 strikeouts to 68 walks. Defensively, as the Braves' right fielder, he made 286 putouts and 1 error. He had a .997 fielding percentage.

Markakis had a strong 2018 season, finishing with 185 hits, 43 doubles, 93 RBIs, 80 strikeouts to 72 walks, and a .297 batting average in a career high 162 games. Defensively, as the Braves' right fielder in 158 games, he made 312 putouts and 9 errors. He didn't do well in the postseason, batting just .083 with 1 hit in 12 at-bats in 4 games.

Markakis spent time on the DL in 2019 with a fractured left wrist. He finished the season with 118 hits, 25 doubles, 62 RBIs, 59 strikeouts to 47 walks, and a .285 batting average. As the Braves' right fielder in 103 games, he made 174 putouts and 1 error. In the postseason, he had 21 at-bats in 5 games, 3 hits, including a double, 4 strikeouts to 1 walk, and a .143 batting average.

Markakis played in 37 games in 2020. He finished the season with 33 hits, 15 doubles, 15 RBIs, 23 strikeouts to 10 walks, and a .254 batting average. Defensively, he played 29 games in right field and 7 games in left field. In the postseason, he batted .216 with 8 hits and 2 doubles in 37 at-bats in 11 games. He struck out 13 times and walked once.

Markakis became a free agent on October 28, 2020. He retired on March 12, 2021.

Statistics for Markakis in fifteen seasons (2006-2020) in the major leagues include:

  • 2 seasons with a batting average of .300 or better, with a high of .306 in 2008
  • 7 seasons with over 180 hits, with a high of 191 in 2007
  • 9 seasons with over 30 doubles, with a high of 48 in 2008

Career batting statistics for Markakis through 2020 include:

  • 2,154 games played
  • 2,388 hits
  • 514 doubles
  • 189 home runs
  • 1,046 RBIs
  • 1,230 strikeouts to 891 walks
  • .288 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Markakis as a right fielder through 2020 include:

  • 2,074 games played
  • 4,025 putouts
  • 26 errors
  • .994 fielding percentage

Charitable Work

Markakis and his wife Christina founded The Right Side Foundation in 2009. The foundation, which now is frozen, aided distressed children.

Personal Life

Markakis and his wife Christina have three sons.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Nick Markakis
ESPN Sports - Nick Markakis