Prince Fielder
Prince Fielder – Life, Career, and Legacy
Prince Fielder (born May 9, 1984) is an American former MLB first baseman and powerhouse hitter. Learn about his career, achievements, and challenges that led to his early exit from baseball.
Introduction
Prince Semien Fielder is a former American professional baseball player best known for his power hitting and run production. He starred as a first baseman and designated hitter in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers. Despite a relatively short career, he left a strong mark with big numbers and memorable moments.
Early Life & Background
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Birth & family
Prince Fielder was born on May 9, 1984 in Ontario, California. He is the son of former major leaguer Cecil Fielder, a renowned power hitter. -
High school & amateur career
He attended Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida (after earlier stints at other schools) and emerged as a top high school hitter, drawing attention from scouts. In the 2002 MLB Draft, Fielder was selected in the first round (7th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Professional Career
MLB Debut & Milwaukee Brewers (2005–2011)
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Fielder made his major league debut on June 13, 2005 with the Brewers.
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Over his years in Milwaukee, he established himself as a consistent power threat.
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In 2007, at age 23, he hit 50 home runs, becoming the youngest player in National League history to hit 50 in a season.
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That same season he led the NL in home runs and received several honors: Silver Slugger Award, Hank Aaron Award, etc.
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He broke the Brewers’ single-season home run record and also set an RBI record for the franchise in 2009 (141 RBIs)
Detroit Tigers (2012–2013)
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In January 2012, Fielder signed a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.
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He continued to hit well in Detroit. In 2012, he won the Home Run Derby (his second win, having won previously in the NL).
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His 2012 season was among his best: batting average .313, over 30 home runs and over 100 RBIs.
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Fielder reached the postseason and played in the World Series in 2012 (though Detroit lost).
Texas Rangers & Career’s End (2014–2016)
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After the 2013 season, Fielder was traded to the Texas Rangers, along with cash, in exchange for Ian Kinsler.
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His tenure with the Rangers was marred by neck injuries. In 2014, he underwent surgery on his neck, cutting short his season.
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He made a notable comeback in 2015, batting .305 and winning the American League Comeback Player of the Year award.
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In 2016, further neck problems (a herniated disc between C4–C5 vertebrae) forced him to announce that he could no longer continue playing.
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His final MLB game was on July 18, 2016.
Career Highlights & Statistics
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Batting average: .283 overall
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Home runs: 319 total
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RBIs (Runs Batted In): 1,028
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On-base plus slugging (OPS): .887
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All-Star selections: 6 times (2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015)
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Silver Slugger Awards: 3 times
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He holds Brewers franchise records in home runs in a season, and his 50-HR season at young age was a league milestone.
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He and his father Cecil Fielder are the only father-son duo to each hit 50 home runs in a season.
Challenges & Early Exit
The defining challenge of Fielder’s later career was neck injuries. The cumulative damage ultimately forced him to stop playing.
He did not formally retire (which would have affected his contract guarantees), but announced in 2016 that he was unable to continue playing due to medical reasons.
Personal Life & Legacy
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Fielder married Chanel in 2005, and they have two sons, Jadyn (born 2004) and Haven (born 2006).
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He has a tattoo on his neck with the Korean word "왕자" (meaning “Prince”) as a nod to his name.
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After retiring, he remained involved in baseball: notably, in 2024, he served as a hitting coach for the American League team at the All-Star Futures Game.
His legacy is a mix of dominant power numbers, resilience in the face of injury, and a career cut short before it could reach full potential.