Russell Branyan

Infobox MLB player
name=Russell Branyan

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width=300
caption=Branyan with the San Diego Padres in by|2007
position=Third Baseman
team=Milwaukee Brewers
number=14
bats=Left
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1975|12|19
birthplace=city-state|Warner Robins|Georgia
debutdate=September 26
debutyear=1998
debutteam=Cleveland Indians
statyear=July 29, 2008
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.230
stat2label=Home runs| stat2value=133
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=320
teams=
*Cleveland Indians (by|1998–by|2002)
*Cincinnati Reds (by|2002–by|2003)
*Milwaukee Brewers (by|2004–by|2005)
*Tampa Bay Devil Rays (by|2006)
*San Diego Padres (by|2006-by|2007)
*Philadelphia Phillies (by|2007)
*St. Louis Cardinals (by|2007)
*Milwaukee Brewers (by|2008–present)

Russell Oles Branyan (born December 19, 1975 in Warner Robins, Georgia) is a Major League Baseball player for the Milwaukee Brewers. He throws right-handed, bats left-handed, and primarily plays as a third base, but is also capable of playing first base and the outfield. He does not typically hit for a high batting average and draws a large amount of strikeouts. However, he compensates by drawing more walks and hitting more home runs than the average player. Branyan has been given the nickname 3TO, which stands for three true outcomes, by some groups of fans for his propensity to either draw a walk, strikeout, or hit a home run. He's also regularly referred to as Russell "The Muscle" Branyan.

Branyan rose up through the Cleveland Indians farm system. His major league debut was with the Indians on September 26, by|1998, against the Minnesota Twins. He has also played for the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

In January of by|2006, Branyan was placed on waivers by the Brewers. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to a minor league contract before the 2006 season. He attended 2006 spring training and then sent to their Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls. Not 24 hours in Durham, he was called back to Tampa due to another player's injury. With the Devil Rays, he mostly played right field instead of third base, his traditional fielding position. He struggled in the beginning of 2006, but his defense was solid in the outfield. On August 24, 2006, Branyan was traded to the San Diego Padres for minor league pitchers Evan Meek and Dale Thayer.

He and his wife Jill have one daughter, Kylie.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays and San Diego Padres

In January of 2006, Branyan was placed on waivers by the Brewers. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to a minor league contract before the 2006 season. He attended 2006 spring training and then sent to their Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls. Not 24 hours in Durham, he was called back to Tampa due to another player's injury. With the Devil Rays, he mostly played right field instead of third base, his traditional fielding position. He struggled in the beginning of 2006, but his defense was solid in the outfield. On August 24, 2006, Branyan was traded to the San Diego Padres for minor league pitchers Evan Meek and Dale Thayer. On July 28, 2007 Branyan was released by the Padres.

Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, and St. Louis Cardinals

On August 6, 2007, Branyan was signed to a minor league deal by the Cleveland Indians. He played one game with their AAA team, the Buffalo Bisons, before being placed on waivers and traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash on August 9. [1] . On August 14, in his first at bat with the Phillies, Branyan hit a two-run game-winning home run that put the Phillies up over the Washington Nationals, 3-2. On August 28, the Phillies designated him for assignment. On August 31, 2007, Branyan was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later.

Milwaukee Brewers

On February 20, 2008, Branyan signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. On May 25, his contract was purchased by the Brewers, and was added to the active roster. Branyan holds the record for three of the 5 longest home runs ever hit in Miller Park. On May 31, shortly after his return to the majors, he hit a 465 foot home run into the "Dew Deck" in the right field bleachers of the stadium helping the Brewers gain a 4-1 win. Branyan finished the season with an on base percentage of .342, 12 home runs, and 20 RBIs in 132 at bats.

ee also

* Major League Baseball hitters with three home runs in one game
* Top 500 home run hitters of all time

References

External links