2004 Topps #181 Jason Michaels

Happy Labor Day!

Jason Michaels, or J-Mike to the cool kids, played in parts of five seasons with the Phillies from 2001 until 2005. He hit .291 during his time in Philly, hitting 21 home runs and knocking in an even 100 runs. He was Pat Burrell’s sidekick, as both Jason and Pat attended the University of Miami together and rose through the ranks of the Phillies’ system at roughly the same pace. J-Mike and Burrell (along with Todd Pratt and Tyler Houston) dyed their hair a shocking bleach blonde in 2003, which some thought was a combination protest/sign of solidarity against then manager Larry Bowa.

In January 2006, the Phils traded Jason to the Cleveland Indians for relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes. At the time, I believe the move was made partly to acquire Rhodes, but partly to separate Jason from Burrell, in the hopes that Burrell would focus more on his on-field performance rather than his off-field performance. (If you know what I mean.) Jason was the Indians’ starting left fielder in 2006, and he’s since spent time with the Pirates and now the Astros.