Ross Gload

Major League Baseball first baseman Ross Gload currently plays for the Kansas City Royals.

Prior to his MLB career Gload attended the University of South Florida. He was drafted by the Florida Marlins on June 3, 1997. Gload was immediately placed with the Marlins' minor league affiliates, where he played his first few seasons of conditioning.

Just over three years after being drafted, Gload was traded to the Chicago Cubs on July 31, 2000. Exactly one month later, he was called up to make his MLB debut with the Cubs on August 31, 2000. Gload played 18 games with the Cubs that year, then was waived following the season.

On September 12, 2001, Gload was claimed off of waivers by the Colorado Rockies. On January 21, 2002, Gload was involved in a three team trade, where he was sent to the New York Mets. Just five days later he returned to the Rockies, who purchased his contract from the Mets. He joined the Rockies for 26 games in 2002, hitting four runs and one homerun in 31 attempts at bat.

Just before Opening Day in 2003, Gload was traded to the Chicago White Sox on March 27, 2003. He earned a full roster spot with the White Sox in 2004, playing 110 games, hitting 28 runs and seven homeruns. Gload was also, seventh in voting for the Rookie of the Year award following the 2004 season. He continued with the White Sox for the next two seasons, splitting his playing time between the majors and the minors.

On December 16, 2006, Gload was traded to the Kansas City Royals. He played exclusively for the Royals during the 2007 season, in 102 games, hitting 37 runs and seven homeruns. He resigned with the Royals on January 18, 2008 to a two year contract and is expected to join the Royals full roster for the 2008 season.