Kurt Suzuki Bio

• Born: Wailuku, Hawaii (Maui)
• Date: October 04, 1983
• Height: 5'11
• Weight: 196
• Position: Catcher
• Bats/Throws: Right
• High School: Baldwin
• College: Cal State Fullerton
• Drafted by the Oakland Athletics, 2nd round of the 2004 amateur draft.
  
  
• Married Renee Vignery on January 2007. Renee was a volleyball player at CSUF.
• Daughter, Malia Grace Suzuki, born on April 28, 2011.
• Son, Kai Suzuki, born on November 04, 2013.
• Son, Elijah Suzuki, born on July 12, 2016.
• In 2012 Kurt and Renee started the Kurt Suzuki Family Foundation.
  www.kurtsuzukifamilyfoundation.org
  
  Here's a little about the foundation. I got the info from the foundation's home page.
  
  'The Kurt Suzuki Family Foundation is a non-profit agency that is dedicated to supporting the scientific research of chronic illnesses as well as encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. By providing support to kidney disease research and promoting the benefits/value of active life choices, the Kurt Suzuki Family Foundation is focused on improving the lives of others within our community.'

• High School: (Baldwin High School, 2001) Wailuku, HI (No info)
• College: (California State University Fullerton) #3
• Team USA: 2006 #3
• Professional:
  Vancouver Canadians (-A): No info (2004)
  Stockton Ports (A+): #3, #9 (2005)
  Phoenix Desert Dogs (Arizona Fall League): No info (2005)
  Midland Rockhounds (AA): No info (2006)
  Sacramento River Cats (AAA): #6 (2007), No info (2010) (Rehab)
  Oakland Athletics (MLB): #28 (2007), #24 (2008), #8 (2009-12), #22 (2013)
  Washington Nationals (MLB): #24 (2012-13)
  Minnesota Twins (MLB): #8 (2014-16)
  Atlanta Braves (MLB) #24 (2017)
  
  
• ***If anyone knows his jersey number from the following teams, Baldwin High, Vancouver Canadians, Midland Rockhounds and the Sacramento River Cats (2010 Rehab), please email me with the information. (zukfan.hawaii@gmail.com)

• Baldwin High in Wailuku, HI (Maui), 2001 graduate.
• 2000 Star-Bulletin All-State Second Team
• 2001 MIL First Team Catcher
• 2001 Star-Bulletin All-State Baseball Team as a catcher, also named to the All-State team were future MLB players, Bronson Sardinha (SS), Kila Ka'aihue (DH) and Brandon League (P)
• 2001 Honolulu Advertiser All-State Baseball Team as a catcher.

• Kurt played at Cal State Fullerton from 2002-04. Cal State Fullerton captured the 2004 College World Series championship, thanks to Suzuki's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving the Titans a 3-2 win over the Texas Longhorns. His time at Fullerton earned him the nickname "Kurt Klutch". That same year, he won the Johnny Bench Award as the country's top collegiate catcher. He was also selected All-American by two publications, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. He was also the recipient of the first ever Brooks Wallace Award.

• June 7-8, 2004: Second round pick, #67 overall during the 2004 MLB amateur draft.
• July 16, 2004: Signed with the Oakland Athletics.
• Made his professional debut with the Vancouver Canadians (Athletics Single-A affiliate).
• June 9, 2007: Called up to the Majors.
• June 12, 2007: Made his MLB debut against the Houston Astros.
• June 19, 2007: First career homerun against the Cincinnati Reds.
• September 10, 2007: Hit his first career grand slam against the Seattle Mariners.
• July 23, 2010: Signed a four-year extension with the Athletics for an estimated $16.25 million.
• August 03, 2012: Traded to the Washington Nationals.
• August 04, 2012: Made his Nationals debut against the Florida Marlins.
• August 23, 2013: Traded back to the Oakland Athletics.
• August 24, 2013: First game for the Oakland Athletics after the trade, against the Baltimore Orioles.
• November 01, 2013: The Oakland Athletes declined the option on Kurt, making hime a free agent.
• December 23, 2013: Signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins for $2.75 million with bonus incentives.
• March 31, 2014: Made his Twins debut on opening day against the Chicago White Sox. Kurt batted 2 for 4 with 3 RBI.
• April 19, 2014: Hit his first home run with the Twins against the Kansas City Royals.
• July 06, 2014: Kurt was selected to his first All-Star Game.
• July 31, 2014: Signed a two-year extension with the Twins for $6 million per year.
• January 21, 2017: Kurt Suzuki signed a one year contract with the Atlanta Braves for 1.5 million which includes a 2.5 million incentive bonus.
• Made his Brave debut on April 05, 2017 at Shea Stadium against the N.Y. Met. Kurt batted 1 for 4 as the Braves defeated the Mets, 3-1.
• September 23, 2017: Kurt signed a one year contract extension for the 2018 season with the Braves for $3.5 million.

• His Japanese name "Kiyoshi" means "Pure"
• Kurt's baseball rookie card came out in 2004
• Helmet size: 7.5
• Cap size: 7.5
• Jersey size: 46 or 48, currently using size 48
• Pant size: 36-40, 23
• Cleat size: US 10
• Batting glove: Large