Mike Cameron

Mike Cameron has distinguished himself by being only one of 22 players in the history of baseball to have at least 250 home runs and 250 stolen bases and became the 20th member of this exclusive 250/250 club.

Cameron is also the only MLB player to hit 2 home runs in the same game with 8 separate teams.

Cameron was born in La Grange, Georgia, and raised on Render Street by his grandmother; he moved into her house when he was seven years old to keep her company after her husband died.

Cameron attended LaGrange High School.

His grandmother kept him from playing baseball as a high school junior because he failed a chemistry class.

As a result, he drew less attention from scouts.

Michael Terrance Cameron (born January 8, 1973) is an American former professional Major League Baseball outfielder.

He played for the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, and Florida Marlins over a 16 year career and is currently the Special Assignment Coach for the Seattle Mariners.

Cameron was drafted out of high school in the 18th round by the Chicago White Sox in 1991.

His major league debut took place on August 27, 1995, with the Chicago White Sox.

In 1997 he won a starting job as the team's regular center fielder.

He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Paul Konerko in 1998.

Along with three other players he was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Ken Griffey Jr.. before the 2000 season.

He was also an All-Star in 2001 and won Gold Gloves in 2001, 2003, and 2006.

He played in the All-Star Game in 2001, reached the postseason twice and won the Gold Glove Award in 2001 and 2003 for his defensive play in the outfield.

In 2002, Cameron became the 13th player to hit four home runs in one game.

Cameron tied a major league record on May 2, 2002, when he hit four home runs in one game becoming only the 15th player in MLB history to do this.

In his fifth at bat, he hit one to the warning track, just missing what would have been a record-setting fifth home run.

He led all major league center fielders in range factor (3.42) in 2003.

On December 23, 2003, Cameron signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract to play center field for the New York Mets.

In his first season with the Mets, Cameron hit a career-high 30 home runs.

After leaving the Seattle Mariners in 2004 via free agency, Cameron played his first game back in Seattle during inter-league play in May 2006.

Mariners fans greeted his return with a standing ovation.

With the acquisition by the Mets of Carlos Beltrán before the 2005 season, Cameron surrendered his position to the star center fielder and played most of his games in right field during the 2005 season.

On August 11, 2005, in San Diego, Cameron collided with Beltran in the outfield as both made diving attempts to catch a fly ball.

Cameron suffered a concussion and multiple fractures of his nose and cheekbones, and was removed from the field on a stretcher.

Beltran also suffered a concussion but was able to walk off the field with help.

On November 15, 2005, Cameron was traded to the San Diego Padres for Xavier Nady.

He claimed to be struggling with after-effects of the collision that ended his 2005 season.

He won his first National League Gold Glove award during the 2006 season with San Diego.

On October 31, 2007, it was announced that he had failed a test for banned stimulants for a second time and would miss the first 25 games of the 2008 season.

Cameron has said he believes that a supplement he took was "tainted."

However, given the requirement of two failed drug tests before an announcement is made, this explanation is questionable.

He was just the second major leaguer to be suspended for a second positive test for stimulants, following Neifi Pérez.

If he had applied for the exemption in 2007, he could have avoided the 25-game suspension he had to serve to begin this season for testing positive for a banned stimulant for the second time.

He also told USA Today that he will see a neurologist to determine if he is suffering from post-concussion syndrome.

If the exemption is granted, Cameron would be permitted to use some amphetamines that are currently banned by the Major League Baseball drug policy.

On January 14, 2008 he signed a 1-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.

On March 13, 2008, Cameron applied for a therapeutic exemption to use stimulants during the 2008 season because of his outfield collision with former teammate Carlos Beltrán.

In November 2008, his club option was picked up by the Brewers for the 2009 season.