High school and college

Sanchez graduated in 1996 from Burbank High School in Burbank, California, where he was a three-year varsity player. In his senior year he was named MVP of the Foothill League of the CIF. He also played in the Daily News Bernie Milligan All-Star Game, where he earned MVP honors. While in high school, he played on the same summer league team as former teammate Jack Wilson. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 30th round out of Burbank High, but opted not to sign.

Sanchez was born with a severely pigeon-toed left foot and a club right foot, and his parents had received an initial medical prognosis that he might never walk. After seeking specialized medical attention through the Children's Orthopaedic Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, he underwent surgery to correct his foot problems at 13 months, and then had to undergo years of physical therapy before he could walk properly.

Sanchez went to Glendale Community College for two years, where he led the team to a co-championship in the Western State Conference, which was also the college's first playoff appearance since 1981. He transferred to Dallas Baptist University as a Junior, where he played in the NAIA College World Series. In his senior year, he transferred to Oklahoma City University in 2000, where he was named a NAIA All-Star.

Career

Minor leagues to the majors

Sanchez was originally signed by Boston Red Sox scout Ernie Jacobs after being selected in the 11th round of the 2000 draft. In the 2000 season, he split the year between Single-A Lowell and Augusta. For Lowell he hit .288, and for Augusta he hit .301. He began 2001 playing for Single-A Sarasota, where he hit a Red Sox minor league system best of .339. He quickly moved up to Double-A Trenton, where he hit well above the .326.

On August 2, 2002, Sanchez was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket, and made his major league debut for the Red Sox on August 10 against Tampa Bay. He went 1-for-2 with a pinch-hit two-run single. The 2003 season saw him optioned back and forth between the Red Sox and Pawtucket. At the 2003 trading deadline, Sanchez was dealt (along with LHP Mike Gonzalez) to the Pittsburgh Pirates in return for pitchers Jeff Suppan, Brandon Lyon and Anastacio Martinez, and was assigned to Triple-A Nashville; he played only one game there before an ankle injury forced him onto the disabled list.

Sanchez spent most of the 2004 season on the disabled list because of the ankle injury, and did not play until July; he joined the major league roster in September.

Pirates: Breakout and Batting Title

2005

2005 was Sanchez's first full season in the major leagues. He began the season as a backup infielder, but ended up playing in a majority of the team's games due to injuries and poor performance by other players. He appeared in 132 games and made 100 starts (39 at second base, 6 at shortstop and 55 at third base), compiling a .291 batting average with 5 home runs and 35 RBI.

2006

Sanchez began the 2006 season as a bench player. When third baseman Joe Randa suffered an injury on May 6, Sanchez took over the position.

Sanchez received over 850,000 write-in votes for the 2006 All-Star Game, the most of all MLB players. He made the National All-Star squad as a reserve selected by NL manager Phil Garner. Sanchez entered the game in the 5th inning at shortstop, replacing Édgar Rentería. He made a stellar leaping catch. He finished the game at 2nd base and went 0 for 2 at the plate with two groundouts.

A local reporter dubbed 2006 Sanchez's "storybook season" for his rise from a high-ceiling, limited-visibility prospect to an All-Star and batting champion. Pirates manager Jim Tracy admitted his surprise and praised him, "If you handed out ballots at the start of the season listing potential candidates to win the National League batting championship, I don't know that his name would have been on it. Now? He's a guy people are going to keep an eye on for many years to come."

Sanchez won the 2006 NL batting title, beating Florida Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera on the last day of the season. Sanchez became the first Pirate to win a batting title since Bill Madlock in 1983. Sanchez reached the 200-hit mark for the first time in 2006. He also led the National League in doubles with 53, as well as having 85 RBIs. He led the majors in line drive percentage (27.5%). After the season, Sanchez received the Tony Conigliaro Award for having overcome his physical adversities.

In early January 2006 his Burbank High School Bulldog baseball jersey number "21" was retired during a ceremony hosted by the school and city officials. The day was declared "Freddy Sanchez" day. In January 2007, Sanchez was voted one of Pittsburgh's most 25 beautiful people by Pittsburgh Magazine.

2007

In 2007, Sanchez was moved to second base, replacing Jose Castillo. Sanchez was also named to the 2007 National League All-Star as a reserve, selected by Tony La Russa. He was the only Pirate All-Star, and it was his second straight All-Star game. He finished the season with a batting average above .300, and a career-high 11 home runs.

2008

On February 5, the Pirates and Sanchez agreed to a multi-year deal. Sanchez's new contract guaranteed him two seasons with the Pirates, plus a club option for 2010 that would become a guaranteed year if Sanchez met certain performance criteria in 2009; the 2010 option took the place of Sanchez's first year of free agency. The contract would pay Sanchez up to $18.9 million. With a sluggish first half but a strong second half, Sanchez batted .271 in 2008, with 9 home runs.

2009

On May 25 Sanchez had six hits in one game, Pittsburgh's first six-hit game in 19 years, joining Texas Ranger Ian Kinsler as the only ballplayers to do so in 2009

Shortly after it was announced that Sanchez was the Pirates' lone representative in the 2009 All-Star Game, the team began to promote Sanchez on the trade market. Interested teams included the Giants, Rockies, Twins, and Mariners. On July 16, reports broke that the Pirates had asked to sit down and talk about a long term contract with Sanchez and Jack Wilson. Both players rejected the initial offers, but reportedly were still open to negotiation. On July 29, 2009, Sanchez was traded to the San Francisco Giants for minor league pitcher Tim Alderson.

San Francisco Giants

2009

On August 26, Sanchez was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained left shoulder.

On October 30, after hitting a combined .293/.326/.416 over 111 games with the Pirates and Giants, Sanchez signed a two-year, $12 million contract to remain with the Giants.

2010: World Series Champion

Sanchez hit .292 with 7 home runs and 47 runs batted in 2010. The San Francisco Giants won 92 games and the National League Western Division, in a season that culminated in the Giants' winning the 2010 World Series title. Sanchez became the first player in history to collect 3 doubles in his first 3 World Series at-bats. He had initially been awarded doubles in his first four at-bats, but his fourth consecutive stop at second base was ultimately ruled a single and an error.

2011

On April 1, the Giants extended Sanchez's contract an additional year for $6 million in 2012. On June 10, Sanchez dislocated his shoulder diving for a ground ball by Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips. On August 1, it was announced that Sanchez would have season-ending surgery.

2012

Sanchez started the year on the disabled list. On July 5, 2012, it was announced that Sanchez would miss the rest of the season after undergoing back surgery.

Retirement

Sanchez officially retired on December 21, 2015, on his 38th birthday.

Family

Sanchez and his wife Alissa have two sons; Evan (born April 19, 2005) and Ryan (born January 26, 2008).

[ Source: Wikipedia ]