Craig Monroe
Craig Keystone Monroe (born February 27, 1977) is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder who appeared in 760 games across eight seasons from 2002 to 2009 for the Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, and Pittsburgh Pirates, compiling a .252 batting average with 115 home runs and 433 runs batted in.[1][2] Drafted by the Rangers in the eighth round of the 1995 MLB Draft out of Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, Monroe debuted in the majors at age 25 and achieved his most productive years with the Tigers, including a 2006 campaign where he contributed to their American League pennant-winning team with 19 home runs and a .409 slugging percentage in the postseason.[3][2] Following his playing retirement, Monroe transitioned to broadcasting as a color analyst for Detroit Tigers telecasts and radio on Bally Sports Detroit and the Tigers Radio Network, roles he held until July 2024, when he was indefinitely removed amid allegations of sexual abuse involving a female victim who was a minor at the time of the claimed incidents, prompting an investigation by the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office in Florida and his absence from broadcasts thereafter.[4][5] In September 2025, reporting indicated Monroe's removal was part of a broader pattern of misconduct toward women involving Tigers personnel, though no criminal charges have been filed as of October 2025.[6][4]Early life
Upbringing and amateur career
Craig Monroe was born on February 27, 1977, in Texarkana, Texas, to mother Marilyn Monroe, who bore no relation to the actress of the same name.[3][7] His family maintained roots in the Texarkana area throughout his upbringing.[2] Monroe attended Texas High School in Texarkana, where his mother had previously distinguished herself as a multisport athlete in softball and basketball during her own teenage years, potentially influencing his early interest in athletics.[8][9] At Texas High, he focused on baseball, developing as an outfielder and showcasing sufficient talent to attract professional scouts.[3][2] Following his high school graduation in 1995, Monroe forwent college opportunities and entered professional baseball when the Texas Rangers selected him in the eighth round, 206th overall, of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft.[3][2] He signed with the Rangers shortly thereafter, marking the end of his amateur career.[10]Baseball career
Minor league development
Monroe was selected by the Texas Rangers in the eighth round, 206th overall, of the 1995 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft out of Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, and assigned to the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Rangers, where he batted .249 with no home runs in 54 games.[11][2] In 1996, he split time between the Class-A Charleston RiverDogs of the South Atlantic League, where he struggled with a .150 batting average over 49 games, and the short-season Class-A Hudson Valley Renegades of the New York–Penn League, posting .276 and five home runs in 67 games after a demotion that allowed him to regain confidence.[11][12] The following year, Monroe advanced to the High Class-A Port Charlotte Rangers of the Florida State League, batting .235 with seven home runs and 24 stolen bases in 92 games, demonstrating emerging speed but still developing consistency at the plate.[11] By 1998, remaining with Port Charlotte, he exhibited significant power potential, hitting 17 home runs and stealing a league-leading 50 bases while batting .242 over 132 games, signaling maturation as an athletic outfield prospect.[11] In 1999, Monroe repeated High Class-A with Port Charlotte, improving to .260 and another 17 home runs in 130 games, earning a brief September call-up to Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks for six games.[11] Promoted to Double-A Tulsa Drillers in 2000, he batted .282 with 20 home runs in 120 games, refining his plate discipline with a career-best average and showcasing sustained power production.[11] Returning to Triple-A Oklahoma in 2001, Monroe hit .280 with 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases over 114 games, further honing his outfield defense amid the Rangers' organizational emphasis on toolsy athletes, which positioned him for a major league debut that summer.[11]Major league tenure
Monroe made his major league debut with the Texas Rangers on July 28, 2001, recording no hits in three at-bats against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.[2] He appeared in just five games that year, managing one hit in 12 at-bats. Following the season, Monroe was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers on February 1, 2002.[13] His initial role with Detroit remained limited, as he batted .120 over 25 at-bats in 13 games during the 2002 season.[14] Monroe transitioned to a more regular role with the Tigers starting in 2003, appearing in 135 games primarily as an outfielder. His performance improved steadily, culminating in a breakout 2006 campaign where he hit 28 home runs—leading the team—and posted an .819 on-base plus slugging percentage while contributing to Detroit's American League pennant win and World Series appearance.[15][16] In the postseason, Monroe homered in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees, helping secure a sweep.[17] The Tigers advanced to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, though they fell in five games. On August 21, 2007, the Tigers designated Monroe for assignment amid a crowded outfield; he was traded to the Chicago Cubs shortly thereafter.[18] After a brief stint with Chicago, Monroe was dealt to the Minnesota Twins on November 13, 2007, for a player to be named later.[19] He signed a one-year, $3.82 million contract with Minnesota for 2008 but struggled with a .225 batting average in 63 games before being released on August 8.[20] Monroe signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2009 season, serving as a reserve outfielder but battling injuries and diminished production, hitting .215 with three home runs in 28 games.[21] The Pirates designated him for assignment on June 20, 2009, marking the end of his major league career; his final appearance came on June 16 against the Twins.[2] Injuries and inconsistent hitting contributed to his decline after the 2006 peak, limiting him to sporadic playing time in his later years.[3]Career statistics and legacy
Monroe compiled a .252 batting average over 2,691 at-bats in 814 major league games from 2001 to 2009, recording 678 hits, 115 home runs, 433 runs batted in, and a .741 on-base plus slugging percentage.[2] As a right-handed batter and thrower who primarily patrolled left field and right field, he struck out 588 times, underscoring a power-oriented approach that yielded occasional production but limited on-base consistency.[2] His defensive contributions were subpar, with a career defensive wins above replacement of -2.6, reflecting average arm strength but positioning and range limitations in the outfield.[2]| Season | Team | G | AB | H | HR | RBI | AVG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-2005 | TEX/DET | 446 | 1,505 | 378 | 60 | 225 | .251 | .752 |
| 2006 | DET | 147 | 541 | 138 | 28 | 92 | .255 | .822 |
| 2007-2009 | CHC/DET/MIN/PIT | 221 | 645 | 162 | 27 | 116 | .251 | .678 |
| Career | - | 814 | 2,691 | 678 | 115 | 433 | .252 | .741 |