Bio
B.J. Upton
“You never know what’s going to go on. All you can do is come out and play.”
B.J. Upton continues to steadily work on his career in Major League Baseball as a 5 tool player with the Tampa Bay Rays. Whether it’s with his legs, his arm, or his bat, B.J. has proved to be an asset as he strives to be the best player and make his mark in the record books. “I just try to play hard every day and get better,” he says. Pondering the journey he’s taken pursuing his lifelong passion, B.J. says, “My favorite time of the day is right before game time – the time right before I take the field and run to my position. I have a chance to reflect on how lucky I am to be able to play the game of baseball for a living.”
B.J. Upton was born in Norfolk, Virginia on August 21, 1984 and grew up in Chesapeake, VA with his baseball-loving father and school teacher mom. His father Manny (known in his own baseball career as ‘Bossman’) would instill in B.J. (aka ‘Bossman Junior’) a genuine love of the game at an early age and from his mother Yvonne he would receive a truly inspiring work ethic. Another lesson from his parents that continues to be a guiding force in his career and life, B.J. says “I learned to treat other people how I want to be treated. I am privileged to be in a position to help others and I have a responsibility to do so.” Both of his parents also encouraged him to be competitive…a lesson that he would later share with his younger brother Justin who would join him in the Major Leagues just three years after his own debut. After being named first team All American in his senior year in High School, B.J. was invited to join the 2001 Team USA Junior National Team where he would help the USA to a silver medal in a decisive 9-2 victory in Cuba before being drafted 2nd overall in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft.
Upton made his debut in the Major Leagues on August 2, 2004 playing with the Tampa Bay Rays against the Boston Red Sox. At this time he was the league’s youngest player and made history as the youngest Ray to ever be brought into the clubhouse. Although he was sent to the minors to work on a few minor skills, he would continue to learn and grow as a player through the next few seasons. During the 2005 season, B.J.’s younger brother Justin would be drafted #1 overall and the history books would once again be rewritten as the duo became the highest drafted siblings ever. Continuing his quest for excellence, B.J. was chosen as a starter at Shortstop for both the 2004 and 2005 All-Star Futures Games.
In 2007, B.J. Upton began the season as the Tampa Bay Rays starter 2nd baseman until an injury forced him to a short-rehab. Emerging as their starting center fielder upon his return, he continued to dominate the game by being one of only six American League Players that year to have over 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases alongside such fellow players as Alex Rodriguez and Gary Sheffield and Curtis Granderson. His 2008 season would see him continue to progress as he helped the Tampa Bay Rays to become the American League Champions with B.J. personally hitting seven home runs in the post-season series.
In June 2009, he was named American League Player of the Month, thus setting another benchmark for future generations. With his brother Justin Upton 2009 marks the very first time that a pair of brothers have won Player of the Month during the same year. B.J. is focused on taking each game one day at a time and working on improving, always keeping in mind his mantra “Never get too high or too low because you never know what tomorrow brings”. Says B.J., “I’m just a really relaxed guy. I’ve never been too ‘all out.’ I’m not that kind of person.”
Known among peers and loved ones as loyal, compassionate, talented, confident, and thoughtful, B.J. takes a relaxed approach off the field, spending time with family and loved ones, his dog Deuce, and extending support to others, whether it’s putting together a charity golf tournament to benefit a local organization in St. Petersburg or fueling kids to be as baseball-obsessed as he was growing up. Living his dream of playing professional baseball, B.J. stays focused on the road to success to be a great baseball player for years to come.
Justin Upton
“Luck is when opportunity meets preparation.”
Justin Upton has been preparing all of his life for the world of Major League Baseball. It is his dream… his reality… and since entering the league as their youngest player in 2008, Justin has continued his ‘lucky streak’ as one of MLB’s premiere right-field players. “The thing I love most about baseball is the competition,” he says. “I have always had a competitive nature. It’s always been there… between me and my brother.”
Justin Upton was born In Norfolk, Virginia on August 25, 1987. Living with a full nuclear family including his parents and an older brother, he happily grew up in Chesapeake, VA. “I had a very good childhood,” he says. “It was hard but it was fun. My parents were very supportive of me and gave me freedom to make my own choices at a very young age. My older brother BJ was into playing baseball and I just naturally followed him into the game.” It was in high school that Justin’s talent really began to shine. After being named All-District shortstop, he was awarded the AFLAC National High School Player of the Year Award and upon graduation matriculated directly into playing professionally in 2006.
Justin Upton was selected 1st overall in the 2005 MLB Draft. By joining his brother BJ in the league, this made him part of the highest drafted sibling team of all-time. He spent his first pro-season moving up the ladder from the Single A South Bend Silver Hawks to the High Class A Visalia Oaks and then promoted to the AA Mobile Bay Bears before being called up to the Majors on August 2, 2007. Before leaving the Minors, he would be named USA Today’s Minor League Player of the Year which would soon be overtaken by even bigger and better accomplishments in this premiere year. At the young age of 19, Justin became the youngest active player in the league at that time and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most promising marquee players with the National League’s Arizona Diamondbacks. It took only a few games for him to get in the groove at right-field and in his 3rd game he scored his very first hit and run of his MLB Career. In 2008, he returned to making his mark in the history books with his 3rd homerun hit in a game versus Colorado Rockies, Upton became the league’s 3rd player under the age of 21 to hit homeruns in 3 consecutive games. Steadily moving forward and always competing against himself, 2007 saw the debut of one of Major League Baseball’s most promising players with comparisons to historic icons like Ken Griffey coming from managers and other baseball aficionados throughout his career.
In 2009, the self-described ‘fun and determined’ Justin was chosen to be a part of the National League’s All-Star Team. “I was really just honored to be selected and have the opportunity to play with such great players from across the league.” His selection to the All-Star team came directly on the heels of having been chosen at the National League’s Player of the Month in May 09, setting yet another record in the history books. Alongside his brother BJ Upton , 09 marks the very first time that a pair of brothers have won player of the month during the same year. “With both of us being so competitive, it’s nice to be able to share this distinction with him. Growing up together, my brother made me a better player. He made me a tougher competitor and I’m happy that we’re both doing so well at work.” During his off-time, Justin says, “I’m either doing something I love or I’m relaxing.” And outside of baseball, what does he love the most? “I play videogames but that’s not surprising. Recently I’ve been playing ‘Guitar Hero: World Tour’ alot. When I’m not playing videogames I like to play my other favorite sport: Golf. I love Golf! It’s the only game that makes me as crazy as baseball does.”
Whether it’s putting a shot towards the sixth hole or breaking up a no-hitter in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds with a homerun, Justin Upton is building a baseball career that is clearly based on more than luck. Hard work, determination and staying competitive will continue to keep him making his mark in the record books. Comments Justin, “I like to take people by surprise.”
