Editing Jim Edmonds

{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1970)}}
{{distinguish|Jim Edmond}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Jim Edmonds
|position=[[Center fielder]]
|image=Jim Edmonds Padres.jpg
|caption=Edmonds with the San Diego Padres in 2008
|bats=Left
|throws=Left
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1970|6|27}}
|birth_place=[[Fullerton, California]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=September 9
|debutyear=1993
|debutteam=California Angels
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=September 21
|finalyear=2010
|finalteam=Cincinnati Reds
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.284
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=393
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=1,199
|teams=
* [[Los Angeles Angels|California / Anaheim Angels]] ({{mlby|1993}}–{{mlby|1999}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|2000}}–{{mlby|2007}})
* [[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|2008}})
* [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|2008}})
* [[Milwaukee Brewers]] ({{mlby|2010}})
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|2010}})
|highlights=
* 4× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1995 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1995]], [[2000 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2000]], [[2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2003]], [[2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2005]])
* [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|2006}})
* 8× [[Gold Glove Award]] (1997, 1998, 2000–2005)
* [[Silver Slugger Award]] (2004)
* [[St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum|St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame]] 
}}
'''James Patrick Edmonds''' (born June 27, 1970) is an American former professional baseball [[center fielder]] and a broadcaster for [[Bally Sports Midwest]]. He played for the [[Los Angeles Angels|California/Anaheim Angels]], [[St. Louis Cardinals]], [[San Diego Padres]], [[Chicago Cubs]], [[Milwaukee Brewers]], and [[Cincinnati Reds]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) from 1993 to 2010.

Edmonds was well known for his defensive abilities, earning eight [[Gold Glove Award]]s. He also was a prolific hitter, [[Batting average (baseball)|batting]] .284 with 393 [[home run]]s and an [[on-base plus slugging]] percentage (OPS) of .903. He is affectionately known by Cardinal fans as "'''Jimmy Baseball'''"<ref name=MiklaszB-SLPD-2006-08-11>{{cite news |author1=Miklasz, Bernie|url=http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/berniemiklasz/story/20AB657D969219BE862571C700131F87?OpenDocument |title=Jimmy Baseball delivers in clutch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813140938/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/berniemiklasz/story/20AB657D969219BE862571C700131F87?OpenDocument |archive-date=August 13, 2006 |work=[[Saint Louis Post-Dispatch]]|date=August 11, 2006|url-status=dead |access-date=November 12, 2006}}</ref> or "'''Jimmy Ballgame'''".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/jimmy-ballgame-arrives/article_3716f390-3718-5791-84ec-4b9a8d0d7937.html|title=Jimmy Ballgame arrives|first=Rick|last=Hummel|work=Saint Louis Post-Dispatch|date=February 6, 2014}}</ref>

==Early life==
Edmonds was born on June 27, 1970, in [[Fullerton, California]]. His parents divorced when he was a child and had [[joint custody (United States)|joint custody]]. His father's home was within a few miles of [[Angel Stadium|Anaheim Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Friend|first1=Tom|title=A Real Angel in the Outfield; Hard-Hitting Edmonds Helps His Boyhood Favorites Contend in West|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/27/sports/real-angel-outfield-hard-hitting-edmonds-helps-his-boyhood-favorites-contend.html|access-date=January 7, 2018|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 27, 1995}}</ref> He attended [[Diamond Bar High School]] in [[Diamond Bar, California|Diamond Bar]], in eastern [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]].

==Professional career==
===California / Anaheim Angels===
====1988–1993: Minor leagues====
Edmonds was selected in the seventh round of the [[1988 Major League Baseball draft]] by the [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]]. He had injured his shoulder in his senior year of high school, causing him to fall in the draft.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Strauss|first1=Joe|title=Strauss: Edmonds welcomed into Hall of Fame as hometown hero|url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/strauss-edmonds-welcomed-into-hall-of-fame-as-hometown-hero/article_cc589fda-051f-512d-bfd8-f040e32a7552.html|access-date=January 7, 2018|work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]|date=August 18, 2014|language=en}}</ref>

Following the draft, he was assigned to the [[Bend Bucks]], the Angels' [[Class A-Short Season|A-Short Season]] affiliate in the [[Northwest League]]. In 1988, he played in 35 games for the Bucks and hit .221 with no home runs and 13 [[Run batted in|runs batted in]]. The following year, he was promoted to the [[Quad Cities Angels]], the team's [[Single-A (baseball)|Class-A]] affiliate in the [[Midwest League]]. He played in 31 games and hit .261 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs.

In 1990, Edmonds advanced to the [[Palm Springs Angels]], the Angels' [[High-A]] affiliate in the [[California League]]. He played 91 games and hit .293 with 3 home runs and 56 RBIs. He remained with Palm Springs for the 1991 season, playing 60 games while batting .294 with two home runs and 27 RBIs. In 1992, he was promoted to [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] with the [[Midland RockHounds|Midland Angels]] in the [[Texas League]]. He hit .313 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs in 70 games for Midland. He was promoted again in 1992, moving up to the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[Edmonton Trappers]] for 50 games, batting .299 with six home runs and 36 RBIs. In 1993, Edmonds played for the new Angels Triple-A affiliate, the [[Vancouver Canadians]]. He played 95 games for the team, batting .315 and hitting nine home runs with 74 RBIs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jim Edmonds Minor League Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=edmond001jam |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref>

====1993–1996: Emergence as a power hitter====
On September 7, 1993, the Angels promoted Edmonds to the majors for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haakenson |first1=Joe |title=Angels release Gruber |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/628923682 |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=[[Pasadena Star-News]] |date=8 September 1993}}</ref> He made his MLB debut on September 9, starting in left field against the [[1993 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] at [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Tiger Stadium]], going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Edmonds collected his first major league hit on September 10 against the [[1993 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]] in the [[Rogers Centre|SkyDome]], a [[Pinch hitter|pinch-hit]] [[double (baseball)|double]] in the ninth inning off of [[Duane Ward]].<ref>{{cite web |title=California Angels at Toronto Blue Jays Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR199309100.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=14 April 2022 |date=10 September 1993}}</ref> Edmonds collected his first major league RBI on September 14 against [[1993 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] pitcher [[Roger Salkeld]], driving in [[Chad Curtis]] with a [[Single (baseball)|single]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Seattle Mariners at California Angels Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL199309140.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=14 April 2022 |date=14 September 1993}}</ref> In his [[Major League Baseball rosters#September call-ups|September call-up]] 1993 season, Edmonds batted .246 in 61 [[at bat|at-bat]]s across 18 games.<ref name="stats">{{cite web |title=Jim Edmonds Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=edmonji01 |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref>

Despite the signings of outfielders [[Bo Jackson]] and [[Dwight Smith (baseball)|Dwight Smith]] in the offseason, Edmonds made the Angels' 1994 [[Opening Day]] roster.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haakenson |first1=Joe |title=Edmonds looks to make major transition |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/629230574/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Pasadena Star-Times |date=29 March 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nightengale |first1=Bob |title=Lovullo Shocked by His Release as He Moves On |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/158555945/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=30 March 1994 |page=C7}}</ref> Edmonds received sporadic playing time for the first half of the season, often pinch hitting and rarely starting games. He did not hit his first major league home run until May 11, 1994, in a game against the [[1994 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] where he hit a two-run shot off [[Rick Helling]].<ref>{{cite web |title=California Angels at Texas Rangers Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TEX/TEX199405110.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=14 April 2022 |date=11 May 1994}}</ref> Through his first 50 games in 1994, Edmonds was batting .328 with a .405 [[on-base percentage]]. By June, Edmonds began to receive more regular playing time, serving as the primary left fielder after Bo Jackson had been benched and Dwight Smith had been traded to Baltimore. Midway through the season, Edmonds was considered by the media to be a prime candidate for the [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|AL Rookie of the Year Award]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Teaford |first1=Elliott |title=Angels Rookie Excels in Anonymous Zone |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/159929423/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=24 June 1994 |page=C8}}</ref> Although Edmonds's high averages regressed as he played more games, he finished the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|strike-shortened]] season batting .273 with five home runs and 37 RBIs.<ref name="stats" /> He placed eighth in AL Rookie of the Year voting.<ref>{{cite web |title=1994 Awards Voting |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1994.shtml |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref>

With the departure of Chad Curtis in the offseason, Edmonds became the Angels' everyday [[center fielder]] for the 1995 season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weyler |first1=John |title=Center Stage |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/155311824/ |page=C1 |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=28 April 1995}}</ref> In his new role as the team's primary center fielder, Edmonds also emerged as a formidable [[power hitter]]; he only had 29 home runs in his six-year minor league career and five in his true rookie season, leading to him being initially recognized as a [[contact hitter]] when coupled with his high batting averages. Edmonds did not hit any home runs through the first 17 games of the 1995 season, but hit six with an .857 [[slugging percentage]] in an eight-game stretch from May 15 to May 23. Edmonds received his first [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] selection in 1995 and was batting .291 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs at the All-Star break. Edmonds finished the 1995 season batting .290 with 33 home runs and 107 RBIs.<ref name="stats" />

Edmonds returned to the Angels in 1996 as one of the team's best all-around hitters. On March 7, he agreed to a four-year, $9.5 million contract extension with the Angels that included a team option in the fifth year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Edmonds, Percival Agree to Four-Year Contracts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/157457669/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=8 March 1996 |page=C12}}</ref> He suffered groin and stomach injuries on May 25, sidelining him for a month.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angels Report |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/158777463/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=27 May 1996 |page=C8}}</ref> Edmonds returned to the field on June 10 but sprained his thumb the following day, causing him to be out for another month. He returned to action on July 18, going 2-for-5 with a home run against the [[1996 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Chris |title=Edmonds Expects to Return Tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/158791216/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=18 July 1996 |page=C4}}</ref> Edmonds finished the 1996 season batting .304 with 27 home runs and 66 RBIs.<ref name="stats" />

====1997–1999: Gold Glove selections====
Edmonds, along with [[Tim Salmon]], [[Garret Anderson]], and [[Darin Erstad]], comprised a group of four outfielders that emerged as viable options for the Angels in the mid-1990s. This created a dilemma for the team's front office, who sought to have all four players serve as everyday starters. As a result, the Angels traded designated hitter [[Chili Davis]] and first baseman [[J. T. Snow]] for pitching in the 1996–97 offseason in order to create playing time for all four outfielders. Amid the positional shakeup, Edmonds was able to stay in center field while Erstad moved to first base.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Newhan |first1=Ross |title=A Snow Job? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/158128176 |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=5 March 1997 |pages=C1 and C14}}</ref> Edmonds received recognition for his defensive prowess in 1997, often making highlight reels. During a June 10, 1997, game against the [[1997 Kansas City Royals season|Kansas City Royals]], Edmonds ran straight back towards the center field wall of [[Kauffman Stadium]] and dove outstretched for a fly ball over his head, making the catch on the warning track. The catch is widely viewed as one of the greatest defensive plays in baseball history, with [[Joe Posnanski]] of ''[[The Athletic]]'' ranking it as the 29th-greatest moment in all of baseball history.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Posnanski |first1=Joe |title=60 Moments: No. 29, Jim Edmonds makes a catch for the ages |url=https://theathletic.com/1862779/2020/06/10/60-moments-no-29-jim-edmonds-makes-a-catch-for-the-ages/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=[[The Athletic]] |publisher=[[Times Mirror Company]] |date=10 June 2020}}</ref> In the 1997 season, Edmonds batted .291 and hit 26 home runs with 80 RBIs.<ref name="stats" /> Following the season, he received his first career [[Gold Glove Award]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Mondesi, Edmonds Can Play the Field |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/158330089/ |access-date=14 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=23 October 1997 |page=C7}}</ref>

In September 1998, the division-leading Angels fell behind the [[1998 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] in the standings, ultimately losing the division and missing out on the playoffs. Edmonds, despite batting .340 that month with five home runs and 20 RBIs, was criticized by some teammates for his purported nonchalance towards the Angels' late-season elimination. In an interview, Edmonds said that he wasn't "going to come in the next day and want to kill himself" if the Angels were [[Mathematical elimination|mathematically eliminated]].<ref name="si">{{cite magazine |last1=Pearlman |first1=Jeff |title=He's No Angel |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2000/04/03/hes-no-angel-dogged-for-years-by-a-hellish-reputation-jim-edmonds-is-finally-out-of-anaheim-and-hoping-the-outfield-grass-is-greener-in-st-louis |access-date=15 April 2022 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=3 April 2000}}</ref> In 1998, Edmonds played a career-high 154 games, hitting .307 with 25 home runs and 91 RBIs. He received his second career Gold Glove Award.<ref name="stats" />

During [[spring training]] in 1999, Edmonds tore the [[Glenoid labrum|labrum]] in his right shoulder while lifting weights, aggravating an injury he had been playing through for several years prior.<ref name="si" /> He underwent surgery to correct the injury, sidelining him for the first half of the season. In addition to the deactivating surgery, tensions were also rising in the clubhouse as some teammates were taking exception to Edmonds's alleged nonchalant, dismissive attitude. These factors created doubt that the Angels would bring back Edmonds after the 1999 season. Team newcomer [[Mo Vaughn]], who had yet to share the field with Edmonds, accused him of not accepting responsibility for team struggles.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Newhan |first1=Ross |title=Edmonds' Surgery Might Have Lasting Effect |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-apr-25-sp-31078-story.html |access-date=15 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=25 April 1999}}</ref> Edmonds returned to the field as a designated hitter on August 2, 1999, going 2-for-4 against the [[1999 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] with a double. He returned to center field on August 7. He finished his abbreviated 1999 season batting .250 with 5 home runs and 23 RBIs in 55 games.<ref name="stats" />

===St. Louis Cardinals===
====2000–2003: Immediate production====
On March 23, 2000, the Angels traded Edmonds to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] for second baseman [[Adam Kennedy]] and pitcher [[Kent Bottenfield]]. Five days prior, Angels [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]] [[Bill Stoneman]] had told Edmonds that he would not be traded, but plans purportedly changed when St. Louis made Kennedy available.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DiGiovanna |first1=Mike |title=Edmonds Deal Is in the Cards |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-mar-24-sp-12139-story.html |access-date=15 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=24 March 2000 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Edmonds made his Cardinals debut on April 3, 2000, going 0-for-3 with 2 walks against the [[2000 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]]. He recorded his first hit, home run, and RBI as a Cardinal the following day. Through his first 50 games, Edmonds batted .371 with 16 home runs and 39 RBIs. He received his second career All-Star selection, starting in the game in place of the injured [[Ken Griffey Jr.]], going 1-for-2 with a hit off [[David Wells]]. Edmonds finished the year batting .295 with 42 home runs and 108 RBIs. He received his third career Gold Glove Award and finished fourth in [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|National League Most Valuable Player Award]] voting.<ref name="stats" /> In the postseason, Edmonds batted .361 with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs in 8 games.<ref name="post">{{cite web |title=Jim Edmonds Postseason Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=edmonji01&t=b&year=0&post=1 |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=15 April 2022}}</ref>

In 2001, Edmonds batted .304 with 30 home runs and 110 RBIs. He received his second consecutive Gold Glove Award, the fourth of his career.<ref name="stats" /> In the [[2001 National League Division Series]], Edmonds batted .235 with two home runs and three RBIs.<ref name="post" />

In 2002, Edmonds batted a career-high .311 with 28 home runs and 83 RBIs. He was awarded his third consecutive Gold Glove Award, the fifth of his career.<ref name="stats" /> In the 2002 postseason, Edmonds batted .355 with two home runs and six RBIs through eight games.<ref name="post" />

In 2003, Edmonds received his third career All-Star selection. Through the All-Star break, he batted .303 with 28 home runs and 67 RBIs. Edmonds started in center field in the [[2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star game]] and batted second, going 1-for-2 with a first-inning single off AL starter [[Esteban Loaiza]]. Edmonds slumped after the All-Star break, batting .214 with 11 home runs and 22 RBIs. He finished the season batting .275 with 39 home runs and 89 RBIs. He received his fourth consecutive Gold Glove Award, the sixth of his career.<ref name="stats" />

====2004–2007: Postseason success====
[[File:DSC01285 Jim Edmonds.jpg|thumb|Edmonds batting for the Cardinals in 2007]]
The 2004 season was among the statistically best for Edmonds. He hit .301, had a .643 slugging percentage, 42 home runs, and 111 RBI; all but batting average were career highs. As a result, he earned a [[Silver Slugger Award]], a Gold Glove Award, and was fifth in the voting for the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|NL Most Valuable Player Award]]. During a [[Chicago Cubs]]-Cardinals game at [[Wrigley Field]] on July 19, 2004, pitcher [[Carlos Zambrano]] was ejected from the game for throwing at Edmonds. Zambrano screamed at Edmonds as he rounded the bases on a home run, earning Zambrano a five-game suspension.<ref>Sullivan, Paul [https://web.archive.org/web/20120523182425/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/keyword/jim-edmonds Carlos Zambrano's greatest fits] Chicago Tribune, March 27, 2010 (accessed August 9, 2010)</ref> Edmonds, along with [[Albert Pujols]] and [[Scott Rolen]], earned the nickname "MV3" for their standout 2004 seasons. Edmonds was on the cover of video game ''[[MLB Slugfest]]'' in 2004. A defining moment of Edmonds' career came in the [[2004 National League Championship Series]], in which Edmonds hit a twelfth-inning home run to win Game 6. In Game 7, Edmonds made a spectacular defensive play in center, helping the Cardinals win the pennant.

In 2005, Edmonds hit .263 with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs, earning his fourth career All-Star selection. During Game 4 of the [[2005 National League Championship Series]], Edmonds was ejected in the eighth inning for arguing a strike call made by home plate umpire [[Phil Cuzzi]]. Edmonds later said that he "wasn't trying to show up" Cuzzi and said that Cuzzi responded profanely, a claim that was not contested.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rosner |first1=Mark |title=Astros a giant leap away |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/357432030/ |access-date=15 April 2022 |work=[[Austin American-Statesman]] |date=17 October 2005 |pages=C1 and C4}}</ref> In 9 postseason games in 2005, Edmonds batted .267 with a home run, one RBI, and three doubles.<ref name="post" />

On [[Mother's Day (United States)|Mother's Day]] in 2006, Edmonds was one of more than 50 hitters who used a [[pink bat]] to benefit the [[Susan G. Komen for the Cure]] foundation. Late in the 2006 season, Edmonds began having trouble with fielding that plagued the rest of his tenure with St. Louis. On June 21, he crashed into the wall of [[Guaranteed Rate Field|U.S. Cellular Field]] while playing against the [[Chicago White Sox]] trying to rob a home run ball. Intermittent bouts of nausea, dizziness, and blurred vision followed in the next few weeks for him, particularly intensifying on diving attempts. Two months after the crash, he was diagnosed with [[post-concussion syndrome]].<ref name="Globe1">{{cite news |author1=Rains, Rob |url=http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2010/jan/22/edmonds-will-consider-offers-teams-other-cardinals/|title=Edmonds waits on Cardinals, will consider other team's offers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527023733/http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2010/jan/22/edmonds-will-consider-offers-teams-other-cardinals/ |archive-date=May 27, 2010 |work=St. Louis Globe-Democrat|date=January 22, 2010|access-date=August 9, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Concussion">{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2551867|title=Edmonds diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome|work=ESPN |date=August 17, 2006 |access-date=August 9, 2010}}</ref> In the 2006 postseason, Edmonds helped the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] win their first [[2006 World Series|World Series]] title since [[1982 World Series|1982]] while having 13 total hits in the postseason with two home runs while batting in all 16 games.<ref name="post" />

He batted .252 in 117 games in 2007 while hitting 12 home runs with 53 runs batted in.<ref name="stats" />

===Later career===
====2008–2009: Padres, Cubs, and off-year====
On December 14, 2007, the Cardinals traded Edmonds to the [[San Diego Padres]] in exchange for prospect [[David Freese]]. As part of the deal, the Cardinals also agreed to pay part of Edmonds's 2008 salary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20071214-1851-bn14padres.html|work=San Diego Union-Tribune|title=Padres acquiring Jim Edmonds in trade with Cardinals|author1=Krasovic, Tom|date=14 December 2007|access-date=May 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305085337/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/padres/20071214-1851-bn14padres.html |archive-date=5 March 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Edmonds' 241 home runs with the Cardinals are the fourth-most in franchise history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071215&content_id=2327183&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl|title=Cards deal icon Edmonds to Padres|work=MLB.com|first=Matthew|last=Leach|date=December 15, 2007|access-date=May 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517055045/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071215&content_id=2327183&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl|archive-date=May 17, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Padres_Get">{{cite news |title=Padres to get Edmonds, cash from Cardinals for minor leaguer |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3155811 |access-date=13 January 2020 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=15 December 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On May 9, 2008, the Padres released him after hitting only .178 with one home run in 90 [[at bat|at-bat]]s.

[[File:Jim Edmonds - 2008 - cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|Edmonds batting for the Chicago Cubs in 2008.]]

On May 14, 2008, the [[Chicago Cubs]], in need of a left-handed bat, signed Edmonds to a one-year contract of which the Cubs were only responsible for the league minimum. He started the next day against his former team, the Padres, and went 1-for-4. Edmonds was not well-received initially by the fans in Chicago, but after joining the Cubs, he hit over .300 with eight home runs in his first six weeks. On June 21, 2008, Edmonds [[List of Major League Baseball single-inning home run leaders|hit two home runs in the fourth inning]] against the [[Chicago White Sox]].

Edmonds did not play in 2009 because he did not receive what he considered a good offer.<ref name="Globe1" /> In January 2010, he announced his intention to return to the majors,<ref>{{cite web|last=Morosi|first=Jon Paul|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/agent-jim-edmonds-open-to-several-options-011910|title=Edmonds open to several options|work=[[FOX Sports]]|date=January 19, 2010|access-date=January 20, 2010}}</ref> saying, "Last year was a mistake. I should have played somewhere."<ref name="Globe1" />

====2010–2011: Return and retirement====
On January 28, 2010, Edmonds signed a minor league deal with the [[Milwaukee Brewers]]. The Brewers added him to the major league roster on March 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/2010-03-25-929972673_x.htm|title=Brewers add Edmonds to roster|work=[[USA Today]]|date=March 25, 2010|access-date=May 14, 2010}}</ref>

On August 9, 2010, Edmonds was traded to the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in exchange for [[Chris Dickerson (baseball)|Chris Dickerson]]. Both Edmonds and Dickerson had to clear waivers because the [[Trade (sports)#MLB|non-waiver trade deadline]] had already passed.<ref>Sheldon, Mark [http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100809&content_id=13229004&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb Reds pick up Edmonds for playoff push] mlb.com, August 9, 2010 (accessed August 9, 2010)</ref>

On February 4, 2011, Edmonds signed a minor league contract with the [[St. Louis Cardinals]];<ref>St. Louis Post Dispatch [http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_f0ddc25c-309b-11e0-a01f-0017a4a78c22.html Cardinals sign Edmonds to minor-league deal] Derrick Goold, February 4, 2011 (accessed February 4, 2011)</ref> however, after continuing symptoms from a strained Achilles tendon suffered during the 2010 season, Edmonds officially announced his retirement from baseball on February 18, 2011.<ref>Hummel, Rick. [http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/article_f3a08566-3b76-11e0-9989-0017a4a78c22.html Edmonds retires; foot injury doesn't respond] [[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]. Published February 18, 2011.</ref>

==Broadcasting career==
On March 14, 2013, [[Fox Sports Midwest]] announced that they had hired Edmonds to join their St. Louis Cardinals broadcasting crew.<ref name=Fox>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsportsmidwest.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/story/Edmonds-joins-FOX-Sports-Midwest?blockID=878543&feedID=3713|title=Edmonds joins Fox Sports Midwest|publisher=Fox Sports Midwest.com|date=March 14, 2013|access-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref> Edmonds initially served as an analyst during ''Cardinals Live'' pre-game and post-game broadcasts. He replaced [[Cal Eldred]], a former Cardinal pitcher who had broadcast for FSM for four years and was moving on to become a special assistant in the Cardinals organization.<ref name=Fox/> Since 2016, Edmonds has alternated between the "Cardinals Live" studio role and serving as a color commentator in the booth for certain games.

Edmonds has expressed a desire to one day be a part of the Cardinals ownership group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/jim-edmonds-future-cardinals-owner/article_b57b26f3-264a-55f2-84cb-8780f1d416f5.html|title=Jim Edmonds, future Cardinals owner|publisher=St. Louis Post-Dispatch via website|date=February 17, 2013|access-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref>

==Personal life==
<!--- ATTENTION: Do NOT add information about marital status as separated or pending divorce, etc. without VALID independent sourcing. It will be reverted ASAP unless properly ref'd. --->
Edmonds has two daughters from his first marriage, to Lee Ann Horton, who died of cancer in 2015.<ref name="IBTimes">{{cite news |author1=Long, Danielle |title=Did He Cheat? 'RHOC' Alum Meghan Edmonds' Husband Jim Admits 'Lapse In Judgement' |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/did-he-cheat-rhoc-alum-meghan-edmonds-husband-jim-admits-lapse-judgement-2800827 |work=International Business Times |date=14 June 2019 |df=mdy-all|quote=Jim also has two daughters with his late first wife, Lee Ann Horton, who died from cancer in 2015.}}</ref>

He has a son and a daughter from his second marriage, to Allison Jayne Raski, which lasted from 2008 to 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-25|title=Jim Edmonds Celebrates Christmas With Kids and GF Kortnie After 'Rough' Year|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/jim-edmonds-celebrates-christmas-with-kids-and-kortnie-oconnor/|access-date=2021-12-28|website=Us Weekly|language=en-US}}</ref>

Edmonds married [[Meghan O'Toole King]] on October 24, 2014. She joined the cast of ''[[The Real Housewives of Orange County]]'' in 2015; Edmonds appeared on the show. They welcomed a daughter on Thanksgiving Day 2016<ref>{{Cite web|title = Meghan King Edmonds|date = May 12, 2015|url = http://www.bravotv.com/people/meghan-king-edmonds|access-date = June 23, 2015}}</ref> and twin boys on June 5, 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Quinn|first1=Dave|title=Baby Boy on the Way for Meghan King Edmonds|url=http://people.com/babies/meghan-king-edmonds-pregnant-expecting-second-child-boy/|access-date=November 27, 2017|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|publisher=[[Time Inc.]]|date=November 27, 2017|location=United States|language=en}}</ref> On October 25, 2019, the day after their fifth wedding anniversary, Edmonds filed for divorce.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/meghan-king-edmonds-jim-edmonds-relationship-timeline/ | title=Meghan King and Jim Edmonds' Ups and Downs over the Years | date=April 27, 2023 }}</ref>

Edmonds married Kortnie O'Connor in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/sports/jim-edmonds-and-kortnie-oconnor-marry-in-italian-destination-wedding/ |title=Jim Edmonds and Kortnie O'Connor Are Married: Inside Their Romantic Italian Destination Wedding |website=people.com |date=2022-09-26 |access-date=2023-09-12}}</ref>

Edmonds and his family live in [[Frontenac, Missouri]], a suburb of St. Louis.<ref name="e966">{{cite web | last=Sultan | first=Aisha | title=How Jimmy got his groove back: Take a look inside Jim Edmonds' new Frontenac home | website=STLtoday.com | date=2025-01-16 | url=https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertainment/home-and-garden/how-jimmy-got-his-groove-back-take-a-look-inside-jim-edmonds-new-frontenac-home/article_d6c76bb8-6260-5565-a123-93c7fe7a945e.html | access-date=2025-01-26}}</ref>

===Business ventures===
Edmonds opened several restaurants with business partner Mark Winfield. The pair opened their first restaurant in 2007, while Edmonds was still playing for the Cardinals. Called Jim Edmonds 15 Steakhouse, it closed in September 2013.<ref>Halverson, Matthew  [http://www.stlmag.com/St-Louis-Magazine/October-2007/15-Things-You-Should-Know-About-Jim-Edmonds-New-Restaurant/ 15 Things Your Should Know About Jim Edmonds' New Restaurant] stlmag.com, October 2007 (accessed August 9, 2010)</ref> 
 
Within a few months, they opened a new restaurant in the space called The Precinct;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/dining/restaurants/reviews/jim-edmonds-takes-another-swing-at-the-restaurant-biz-at/article_4e430d30-a4be-5dc0-a77e-0fce7d5ee561.html|title= Jim Edmonds takes another swing at the restaurant biz at the Precinct |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]|first=Ian|last= Froeb|date=Dec 12, 2013|access-date=December 16, 2016}}</ref> it would close in May 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riverfronttimes.com/foodblog/2015/06/02/st-louis-restaurant-openings-and-closings-may-2015|title=St. Louis Restaurant Openings and Closings: May 2015|work=[[The Riverfront Times]]|first=Sarah|last=Fenske|date=June 2, 2015|access-date=December 16, 2016|archive-date=March 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323203406/http://www.riverfronttimes.com/foodblog/2015/06/02/st-louis-restaurant-openings-and-closings-may-2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2015, they opened a BBQ-style restaurant called Winfield's Gathering Place in [[Kirkwood, Missouri]]; it closed on July 2, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stlmag.com/dining/winfields-gathering-place-closing-july-2/|title=Winfield's Gathering Place Closing July 2|work=[[St. Louis Magazine]]|first=George|last= Mahe |date= June 23, 2016|access-date=December 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/dining/restaurants/reviews/jim-edmonds-new-restaurant-winfield-s-gathering-place-is-a/article_d24a4ec6-d610-58f6-a482-b33af1e442d0.html|title= Jim Edmonds' new restaurant, Winfield's Gathering Place, is a barbecue joint in disguise |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]|first=Ian|last= Froeb |date= Apr 17, 2015|access-date=December 16, 2016}}</ref>

==Awards==
[[Image:EdmondsHOF.jpg|thumb|Edmonds' Cardinals Hall of Fame speech]]
Edmonds' fielding ability has earned him recognition from Major League coaches and managers, who voted him a [[Rawlings (company)|Rawlings]] [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove]] winner eight times in nine seasons from 1997 to 2005.

[[ESPN]]'s [[Rob Neyer]] lists Edmonds as No. 12 of the top 100 players of the first decade of the 21st century due to his productivity at the plate and gold-glove skills in center field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/story?id=4740695|title=Top 100 players of the decade|first=Rob|last=Neyer|work=ESPN.com|date=December 14, 2009|access-date=May 14, 2010}}</ref>

On August 8, 2014, Edmonds was inducted into the [[St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum|St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame]]. He was announced as a candidate for the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum]] on November 9, 2015, but was removed from the ballot on January 6, 2016, after only receiving 2.5% of the vote in his first year of eligibility.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bloom |first=Barry M. |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/156820432/griffey-hoffman-highlight-hall-of-fame-ballot |title=Junior, Hoffman highlight HOF ballot newcomers |website=MLB.com |date=November 9, 2015 |access-date=November 10, 2015 |archive-date=November 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122031626/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/156820432/griffey-hoffman-highlight-hall-of-fame-ballot |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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== See also ==
{{Portal|Greater Los Angeles|Biography|Baseball}}
{{div col}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball career assists as a center fielder leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career extra base hits leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career fielding errors as a center fielder leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career OPS leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career putouts as a center fielder leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career slugging percentage leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career strikeouts by batters leaders]]
* [[Los Angeles Angels award winners and league leaders]]
* [[St. Louis Cardinals award winners and league leaders]]
{{div col end}}
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{baseballstats|mlb=113744| espn=2993|br=e/edmonji01| fangraphs=1153| brm=edmond001jam}}

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{{succession box | before = [[Jim Thome]] | title = [[Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award|National League Player of the Month]]| years = July 2004 | after = [[Barry Bonds]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame}}
{{2006 St. Louis Cardinals}}
{{NL OF Silver Slugger Award}}
{{AL OF Gold Glove Award}}
{{NL OF Gold Glove Award}}
{{TYIBDefense}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Edmonds, Jim}}
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[[Category:Cincinnati Reds players]]
[[Category:Edmonton Trappers players]]
[[Category:Gold Glove Award winners]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball center fielders]]
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[[Category:Silver Slugger Award winners]]
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