Jeff Cirillo

Jeffrey Howard Cirillo

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 190 lb.
• School University of Southern California
• High School Providence High School
• Debut May 11, 1994
• Final Game September 30, 2007
• Born September 23, 1969 in Pasadena, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Jeff Cirillo was an excellent contact hitter with significant gap power who hit .296 during a 14-year career.

An 11th round pick in the 1991 amateur draft, Cirillo tore through the Milwaukee Brewers farm system before quietly becoming one of the best third basemen in the game. Jeff hit .311 in his first five full big league seasons, with an excellent .325/.391/.504 line in 1996 buttressed by 101 runs scored, 46 doubles and 83 RBI, the latter mark establishing a new record for Milwaukee third basemen. He made his first trip to the All-Star Game in 1997, during which he clubbed another 46 doubles, then put together two more all-world seasons in 1998 (.321/.402/.445, 97 runs scored) and 1999 (.326/.401/.461, 98 runs scored, new club record with 88 RBI at the hot corner).

As a free agent, Jeff moved to the Colorado Rockies before the 2000 season, making another trip to the All-Star Game with a .326/.392/.477 line, 111 runs scored and 115 RBI. In 2001, he smacked a career best 17 home runs en route to a .313/.364/.473 line. He moved to the Seattle Mariners and Safeco Field as a free agent before 2002, with his offense taking a huge hit as a result. He soon became a bit player, losing effectiveness following a wrist injury with the San Diego Padres in 2004. He made a brief return to Milwaukee, hitting .319/.369/.414 in 263 at bats in 2006, and finished his career with his first and only postseason appearance, hitting 2-for-6 (.333) with the 2007 Arizona Diamondbacks.

Despite his success, Cirillo was often overlooked by fans and media. Even though he hit at least .313 in five different seasons, belted 40-plus doubles three times, and drove in 80 or more runs in five seasons, Cirillo only made two All-Star teams in his career. He sports a career 796 OPS but, during his prime from 1995-2001, he clocked in at 847. He became eligible for election to the Hall of Fame in 2013 but did not receive any votes and was dropped from the ballot.

Jeff later became a scout for the Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He also briefly was a broadcaster for Brewers games.

Notable Achievements

• 2-time All-Star (1997 & 2000)
• 100 RBI Seasons: 1 (2000)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1996 & 2000)