History of Jason Heyward in Timeline
Jason Heyward, also known as "J-Hey", is a professional baseball outfielder currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs.
1901: Early Multi-Homer, Multi-Steal Games in Baseball
In 1901, only 18 players, and no Cubs players yet, had achieved a multi-homer, multi-steal game in baseball history.
1964: Kenny Washington's Championship
In 1964, Kenny Washington, Jason Heyward's great-uncle, played basketball for John Wooden's NCAA championship UCLA team.
1965: Kenny Washington's Championship
Kenny Washington continued his success by playing for another NCAA championship UCLA team under John Wooden in 1965.
August 9, 1989: Birth of Jason Heyward
Jason Alias Heyward was born on August 9, 1989, in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Nicknamed "J-Hey", he would grow up to become an American professional baseball outfielder.
1995: Birth of Jason's Brother Jacob Heyward
Jason Heyward's younger brother, Jacob, was born in 1995. Jacob would go on to attend the University of Miami and play baseball for the Hurricanes.
2005: Death of Andrew Wilmot
In 2005, Jason Heyward's close friend and teammate, Andrew Wilmot, died in a traffic collision. Heyward would later wear the uniform number 22 in his honor.
2007: Minor League Debut and Recognition
At age 17, Jason Heyward began his professional career in 2007, playing for the Gulf Coast League Braves and the Danville Braves. He homered in his first professional game and was recognized as the Braves' top overall prospect and best power hitter by Baseball America.
2007: First-round selection in MLB draft
In 2007, Jason Heyward was selected in the first round of the MLB draft by the Atlanta Braves. He began his minor league career at age 17 and quickly made a name for himself.
August 25, 2008: Promotion to Myrtle Beach
On August 25, 2008, Jason Heyward was promoted to Myrtle Beach, where he continued to impress. Following the season, he received multiple accolades, including being named the South Atlantic League's Most Outstanding Prospect and Baseball America All-Star.
2008: Named Player of the Month
In 2008, Jason Heyward was named Player of the Month for April while playing for the Class-A Rome of the South Atlantic League. He had 42 multi-hit games, including two four-hit games, during that season.
2009: Minor League Player of the Year
In 2009, Jason Heyward advanced through multiple minor league levels and was named the Minor League Player of the Year by both Baseball America and USA Today. He also won the Braves' Hank Aaron Award.
February 2010: Batting Practice Incident
In February 2010, it was reported that Jason Heyward's early batting practice exploits had caused fatal damage to an oak tree in deep center field at his high school playing field.
March 2010: Spring Training Performance
In March 2010, Jason Heyward's impressive hitting during spring training, including several home runs, caught the attention of manager Bobby Cox, who made him a regular in the lineup.
October 7, 2010: Postseason Debut
On October 7, 2010, Jason Heyward made his postseason debut in the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the San Francisco Giants, where the Atlanta Braves were eliminated.
2010: Top Prospect in Baseball
Entering the 2010 season, Jason Heyward was listed as baseball's top prospect by Baseball America, ESPN.com's Keith Law, and MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo.
2010: Career Highs and Defensive Recognition
In 2010, Jason Heyward led the major leagues in Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) among all outfielders since 2010. He also received his third Fielding Bible Award and third Gold Glove Award.
2011: Injuries Limited Playing Time
Injuries limited Jason Heyward's playing time in 2011, impacting his performance during the season.
September 2012: Heyward Supports Breast Cancer Awareness
In September 2012, Jason Heyward was chosen as an ambassador for Piedmont Henry Hospital's "Real Men Wear Pink" campaign, raising awareness for breast cancer, a cause close to his heart due to his grandmother's battle with the disease.
2012: Preseason Preparation and Early Season Performance
In 2012, Jason Heyward focused on improving his performance by refining his swing, adjusting his diet, and undergoing physical therapy. Despite a slow start to the season, he hit a game-winning bases-loaded double in May.
2012: Gold Glove and Fielding Bible Awards
In 2012, Jason Heyward won both the Fielding Bible and the NL Gold Glove Awards for right fielders, highlighting his defensive prowess.
2012: Breakout Season
Jason Heyward enjoyed a breakout season in 2012, hitting 27 home runs, driving in 82 runs, scoring 93 runs, and stealing 21 bases.
January 18, 2013: Contract Extension and Appendectomy
On January 18, 2013, the Braves and Jason Heyward agreed to a one-year, $3.65 million contract, avoiding salary arbitration. Later that year, on April 22, Heyward underwent an appendectomy, sidelining him for several weeks.
2013: Jacob Heyward Drafted by the Atlanta Braves
Jason Heyward's brother, Jacob, was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2013, marking the beginning of his professional baseball career.
2013: Injuries Limited Playing Time
Similar to 2011, injuries again limited Jason Heyward's playing time in 2013.
February 4, 2014: Two-Year Contract and Defensive Prowess
Jason Heyward signed a two-year, $13.3 million contract with the Braves on February 4, 2014. He continued to excel defensively, making several impressive catches in right field.
November 17, 2014: Trade to the St. Louis Cardinals
On November 17, 2014, the Braves traded Jason Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitchers Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins.
2014: Traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
After the 2014 season, Jason Heyward was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, marking another shift in his professional career.
2014: Gold Glove and Defensive Player of the Year
Jason Heyward received the NL Gold Glove Award for right fielders and Wilson's MLB Defensive Player of the Year in 2014.
April 5, 2015: Debut with the Cardinals
Five years after his MLB debut, Jason Heyward played his first game as a Cardinal on April 5, 2015, contributing three hits, including two doubles, and a stolen base to a 3-0 win against the Chicago Cubs.
December 15, 2015: Signing with the Chicago Cubs
On December 15, 2015, Jason Heyward signed an eight-year, $184 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, marking the largest player contract in the team's history.
December 2015: Signed with Chicago Cubs
In December 2015, Jason Heyward signed with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent, marking a significant move in his career.
2015: Gold Glove Award
Jason Heyward was awarded the NL Gold Glove Award for right fielders in 2015.
October 25, 2016: World Series Championship and Historic Achievement
On October 25, 2016, Jason Heyward became one of the first African-Americans to play for the Cubs in a World Series game. The Cubs won the championship that year, and Heyward made history as the first MLB position player to win three consecutive Gold Glove Awards with three different teams.
2016: Key Play in the NLDS
During Game Four of the 2016 National League Division Series, Jason Heyward scored the go-ahead run for the Cubs, helping them advance to the National League Championship Series.
2016: First Season with the Cubs and Gold Glove Award
During his first season with the Chicago Cubs in 2016, Jason Heyward struggled offensively but still earned his fourth Gold Glove Award for his defensive skills.
2016: Jacob Heyward Drafted by the San Francisco Giants
In 2016, Jacob Heyward was drafted again, this time by the San Francisco Giants, where he would later become a coach.
2016: Jacob Heyward Drafted by Giants
In 2016, Jacob Heyward, Jason's younger brother, was drafted by the San Francisco Giants.
2016: Gold Glove Award
In 2016, Jason Heyward again received the NL Gold Glove Award for right fielders, continuing his streak of defensive accolades.
2016: World Series Win with the Cubs
Jason Heyward was a member of the Chicago Cubs team that won the World Series in 2016, achieving a major career milestone.
May 8, 2017: Injuries
Jason Heyward was placed on the 10-day disabled list on May 8, 2017, due to a sprained finger. He experienced another setback later that year with a left-hand laceration.
2017: Players Weekend Nickname and Season Performance
Jason Heyward chose "J-Hey" as his nickname for the 2017 Players Weekend. He finished the season with a .259 batting average, 11 home runs, and 59 RBIs.
2017: Gold Glove Award
Jason Heyward won the NL Gold Glove Award for right fielders in 2017, marking another year of defensive excellence.
May 8, 2018: Disabled List Stint and Walk-Off Grand Slam
On May 8, 2018, Jason Heyward was placed on the disabled list due to concussion protocols after an attempted catch. He later hit a walk-off grand slam home run in June, securing a win against the Philadelphia Phillies.
2020: Heyward's Performance in the Pandemic-Shortened Season
Jason Heyward had a solid performance during the shortened 2020 MLB season, batting .265/.392/.456 with six home runs and 22 RBIs in 50 games.
2021: Heyward's 2021 Season
In 2021, Jason Heyward played in 104 games, slashing .214/.280/.347 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs.
March 2022: Birth of Heyward's Son
Jason Heyward and his wife, Vedrana, welcomed their son in March 2022.
May 8, 2022: Heyward's Injury and Release Rumors
On May 8, 2022, Jason Heyward was placed on the injured list with a left quadriceps strain, marking the beginning of injury troubles and eventual release rumors.
November 14, 2022: Cubs Release Heyward
Despite owing him a salary of $22 million for the 2023 season, the Chicago Cubs officially released Jason Heyward on November 14, 2022.
November 2022: Released by Chicago Cubs
Jason Heyward was released by the Chicago Cubs in November 2022, ending his tenure with the team.
December 8, 2022: Heyward Signs with Dodgers, Wins Campanella Award
On December 8, 2022, Jason Heyward signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which included an invitation to spring training. He made the Opening Day roster and had a resurgent season, earning him the Roy Campanella Award, given to the most inspirational Dodger.
December 2022: Heyward's Contract Listed Among Worst MLB Free-Agent Deals
In December 2022, The Sporting News ranked Jason Heyward's eight-year, $184 million contract with the Cubs as one of the top 15 worst MLB free-agent contracts of all time.
December 6, 2023: Heyward Re-Signs with Dodgers
Jason Heyward signed a one-year, $9 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 6, 2023.
2023: Played for the Los Angeles Dodgers
In 2023, Jason Heyward played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, continuing his Major League Baseball career.
2023: Cubs Owe Heyward Salary After Release
The Cubs' release of Jason Heyward in 2022 came with the unusual circumstance of the team still owing him his full $22 million salary for the 2023 season.
2024: Heyward's 2024 Season and DFA
In 2024, Heyward played 63 games for the Dodgers, batting .208 with six home runs and 28 RBI before being designated for assignment on August 22.
2024: Played for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Jason Heyward continued to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024.
