Michael Anthony Tucker (born June 25, 1971 in South Boston, Virginia) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the San Francisco Giants since 2004. Previously, Tucker played with the Kansas City Royals (1995-96, 2002-03), Atlanta Braves (1997-98), Cincinnati Reds (1999-2001) and Chicago Cubs (2001). He bats left handed and throws right handed.
Tucker is a basically a line drive hitter with gap power who hits better against right handed pitching. Although his 108 stolen bases career total doesn't show it, he is still an aggressive and smart base runner. In the field, Tucker has the ability to play all outfield positions well, particularly at right field. He has good range and a strong and secure arm.
Tucker enjoyed his most productive season in 1997 with the Royals, when he posted career highs in batting average (.283), runs (80) and hits (141) in 138 games played.
In 2004 for the Giants, Tucker played 106 games in right field and 25 in center. He ended the year with a .256 average, 13 home runs, 62 RBI, 77 runs, and a significant .340 on base percentage.
In a 10-year career, Tucker is a .259 hitter with 119 home runs and 486 RBI in 1256 games. He has collected 11 or more home runs in nine seasons, with a career high 15 in 2000.
Meanwhile, with left fielder Barry Bonds out for possibly half the 2005 season, if not more, Tucker and Pedro Feliz are expected to platoon in left field until Bonds returns.
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