Professional career

San Diego Padres

Nady was drafted in the second round of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft by the San Diego Padres (49th overall). Nady signed a major league contract and became the 18th player to go directly to the major leagues without making his professional debut in the minor leagues since 1965.

Nady only appeared in one major league game before being sent to the minor leagues. He was named Padres Minor League Player of the Year in 2001, also collecting the California League's Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards that season. Nady underwent Tommy John surgery and had limited playing time in 2002. In 2003 he again returned to the major league level for part of the season, but spent most of his time in the minor leagues.

In late June 2005 Nady became the first Padre since Greg Vaughn (in 1998) to homer in four consecutive games.

New York Mets

The Padres traded him to the New York Mets for Mike Cameron on November 18, 2005. Nady underwent an emergency appendectomy early in the morning on May 30, 2006. As a result, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list, and returned to the lineup on June 18.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On July 30, 2006, Mets set-up relief pitcher Duaner Sánchez was injured when the cab in which he was a passenger was broadsided. The Mets' pitching corps was already depleted with star pitcher Pedro Martínez on the disabled list. Desperate for pitching, the Mets were forced to give up Nady, their starting right fielder, to the Pirates in exchange for pitchers Óliver Pérez and Roberto Hernández.

New York Yankees

On July 26, 2008, the New York Yankees acquired Nady and pitcher Dámaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates for José Tábata, Ross Ohlendorf, Daniel McCutchen, and Jeff Karstens.

Nady had a career-high six (6) RBIs as the Yankees came back to beat the Los Angeles Angels on August 3, 2008. He finished the 2008 season setting career-highs in home runs (25) and runs batted in (97), and had a .305 batting average.

Xavier Nady signed a one-year contract worth $6.65 million with the Yankees, thus avoiding arbitration. On April 14, 2009, Nady suffered a right-elbow injury which ultimately required a second Tommy John surgery on July 8, despite an initial attempt to rehab the injury. The surgery ended his 2009 season. As a result, Nick Swisher took over in Nady's position for the remainder of the 2009 season. Nady spent the season (including the postseason) on the disabled list until the Yankees won the 2009 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. He filed for free agency following the conclusion of the 2009 season. During his tenure with the Yankees he received a World Series ring personally from Brian Cashman when they were in New York playing the Mets.

Chicago Cubs

On January 29, 2010, Nady signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. On May 16, 2010, Nady hit a game-winning RBI single in the 8th inning against the Pirates, as the Cubs won 4-3. He became a free agent after the end of the season.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Nady signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on December 15, 2010. He became a free agent after the end of the season.

Washington Nationals

Nady signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on March 18, 2012. He was called up by the Nationals on April 4. Following a trip to the Disabled List mid-way through the season, Nady was designated for assignment on July 21, 2012 and released on July 29, 2012.

San Francisco Giants

Nady was signed to a minor league contract by the San Francisco Giants on August 4, 2012, and assigned to their Triple-A affiliate in Fresno, California. He made his debut for the San Francisco Giants on September 1, 2012, and hit a 3 RBI double against the Cubs in his first at bat. He was on the Active Roster for the 2012 World Series and eventually got his second career championship title after the team performed a 4-game sweep against the Detroit Tigers.

Kansas City Royals

On December 14, 2012, Nady signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. During Spring training, Nady struggled first with plantar fasciitis and then sustained a partial tear in his right heel. The Royals released him on March 25, 2013, and then re-signed him to a Minor League contract later the same week. He played with their Triple-A team in Omaha. He was released on June 29.

Colorado Rockies

Nady signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies on June 30, 2013.

Second stint with Padres

Nady signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres in January 2014. He was designated for assignment on May 5, 2014. On May 11, Nady refused his outright assignment and elected free agency.

Seattle Mariners

On May 27, 2014, Nady signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. He exercised an opt-out clause in his contract on June 26, becoming a free agent.

Coaching career

On June 20, 2015, Nady began his tenure as the hitting coach for the Lake Elsinore Storm, the Single A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.

Personal life

Nady's wife, Meredith, had their first child, Xavier Henry Nady VII, on July 15, 2008. His second son, Brayden Chase Nady, was born on September 8, 2011. His uncle is boxing referee Jay Nady.

After an intestinal illness prior to spring training in 2007, Nady was tested for Crohn's disease due to family history of the disease. The tests turned out negative and Nady was instead diagnosed with a minor infection of the small intestines.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]