Miguel Tejada

Major League Baseball shortstop Miguel Tejada currently plays for the Houston Astros.

Tejada appeared in federal court on March 26, 2009, where U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Kay sentenced him to 100 hours of community service, a $5,000 fine and one year of unsupervised release. Tejada, who pleaded guilty in February for withholding information about ex-teammates use of steroids, apologized to the court, stating that he "learned a very important lesson."The Associated Press: Tejada gets probation for misleading Congress (March 26, 2009)

On July 17, 1993, at the age of 19, Tejada was signed as an undrafted amateur free agent by the Oakland Athletics (although his age was believed to be 17). In 1995, he was placed with the Athletics' minor league affiliates, where he played for two-and-a-half years before he was called up to the majors.

Tejada made his MLB debut with the Athletics on August 27, 1997, playing in 26 games that season, hitting 10 runs and two homeruns in 99 attempts at bat. Tejada's numbers improved the following seasons, when he became a starter for the Athletics, playing in almost every regular season game. Tehaja helped the Athletics to his first post season appearance in 2000, where the Athletics lost the American League Divisional Series to the Minnesota Twins.

In 2002, Tejada hit a career high 108 runs and 34 homeruns and was selected for his first MLB All-Star Game. He was also selected as the American League Most Valuable Player the same year. Tejada continued to play well during the 2003 season, where he earned his first of two consecutive Silver Slugger Awards. Following the 2003 season he entered free agency.

On December 18, 2003, Tejada signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles to a $72 million, six-year contract. In 2004, he won in the Home Run Derby, hitting 27 homeruns. In 2005, he was selected as the All-Star MVP. Tejada continued to start every game with the Orioles over the next few seasons, playing 1,151 consecutive games, until he was injured in 2007. Tejada was traded to the Houston Astros on December 12, 2007.

In August of 2005, Tejada spoke to the congressional Committee on Oversight and Governmental Regulations, and was asked if he used anabolic steroids or human growth hormone (HGH) or knew of anyone in the league who used performance-enhancing drugs. He denied using steroids and HGH, and specifically said he knew of no one at Oakland who used them. The next month, fellow player Rafael Palmeiro named Tejada as a user. The Mitchell Report and congressional investigations uncovered evidence that Tejada knew of an unnamed Oakland player who used HGH, and had paid that player over $6,000 for HGH. Tejada was charged with lying to congress on February 10, 2009.Washington Post: Tejada Charged With Lying to Investigators (February 10, 2009)

On April 17, 2008, Tejada admitted to lying about his age. When signing a contract with the Oakland in 1993, he claimed that his birth year was 1976. His actual year of birth is 1974.

• Bloomberg.com: Tejada Sentenced to Probation for Lying... (March 26, 2009)

• The Associated Press: Tejada gets probation for misleading Congress (March 26, 2009)

• Washington Post: Tejada Charged With Lying to Investigators (February 10, 2009)

• Baltimore Sun: Tejada charged with lying to congressional committee (February 10, 2009)

• ESPN.com: Tejada admits to being two years older than he had said (April 17, 2008)

• ESPN.com: Palmeiro named Tejada before panel (September 23, 2005)

• ESPN Video: E:60 Investigates Miguel Tejada's Age (Time: 1:17)

• Topix: Miguel Tejada

• SportSpyder: Miguel Tejada News

• Google News: Miguel Tejada

• Mahalo's Guide to the Houston Astros
• ESPN.com: Career Stats
  • Height: 5'9"
  • Weight: 213
  • Rookie Year: 1997