Ken Caminiti
A three-time All-Star third baseman whose 1996 MVP season with the Padres remains a historic high point for San Diego baseball.
Kenneth Gene Caminiti was an American professional baseball third baseman who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball, including two stints with the Houston Astros (1987–1994 and 1999) and a season with the Texas Rangers (2000). Born in Hanford, California, on April 21, 1963, he starred at Leigh High School before attending San Jose State University. Caminiti is a member of both the Astros Hall of Fame and the Padres Hall of Fame. He is best known for his time with the San Diego Padres, where he won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1996 and three Gold Glove Awards. His career ended with a tragic death on October 10, 2004, resulting from a cocaine and heroin overdose.
- Position
- Third Baseman
- Tenure
- 1987–1994, 1999 (Astros); 1995–1998 (Padres); 2000 (Rangers)
- Major Award
- 1996 National League Most Valuable Player
- Defensive Honor
- Gold Glove Winner (1995, 1996, 1997)
- All-Star Selections
- 1994, 1996, 1997
- Status
- Deceased (October 10, 2004)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Caminiti's career began when the Houston Astros selected him in the third round of the 1987 MLB draft. He made his major league debut on July 16, 1987, at age 24, going 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. After a brief demotion in 1988, he became the Astros' starting third baseman under manager Art Howe prior to the 1989 season. From 1989 to 1994, he formed a powerful offensive nucleus alongside future Hall of Famers Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. During this period, Caminiti averaged .263 with 12 home runs and 69 RBIs per season. In the strike-shortened 1994 season, he set a new career high with 18 home runs and earned his first All-Star selection. The Astros' record did not improve every year from 1991 to 1994—for instance, they declined from 1992 to 1993—but Caminiti remained a steady presence at third base.
In Their Own Story
In 1996, while playing for the San Diego Padres, Caminiti delivered one of the most remarkable individual seasons in franchise history. Battling an abdominal strain, a biceps tendon tear, and shoulder injuries, he still managed to bat .326 with 40 home runs and 130 RBIs, setting the Padres' single-season RBI record. A defining moment occurred on August 18 against the Mets in Monterrey, Mexico; suffering from dehydration and diarrhea, he received liters of intravenous fluid and ate a Snickers bar before hitting two home runs to secure a victory. Despite these injuries, including a torn left rotator cuff, he became the fifth player ever to be unanimously voted the National League Most Valuable Player. Although the Padres were swept by the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS that year, his performance remained legendary.
Reader's Guide
Caminiti played for four teams during his career: the Houston Astros (1987–1994, 1999–2000), San Diego Padres (1995–1998), Texas Rangers (2001), and Atlanta Braves (2001). After leaving the Padres in 1998 due to payroll cuts, he returned to Houston on a $9.5 million contract. He remained productive but limited by injuries, playing only 137 games over two seasons. In the 1999 NLDS against Atlanta, he batted .471 with three home runs and eight RBIs in a four-game series loss. His 2000 season ended early due to a wrist injury, leading him to enter a substance abuse rehabilitation center in September. He finished his career with the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves in 2001 before retiring.
Did You Know?
- Caminiti's .541 slugging percentage and .921 OPS in 1996 were career highs, but they did not set Padres single-season franchise records; Tony Gwynn and others posted higher marks.
- From August 19–21, 1996, he became the first National League player to hit home runs from both sides of the plate in three consecutive games.
- He admitted in a 2002 Sports Illustrated story that he used steroids during his 1996 MVP season and for several years after.
- His cousin, Cam Caminiti, was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2024 MLB draft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ken Caminiti?
Ken Caminiti was a professional third baseman who spent significant time with the Houston Astros during two separate stints in his career. He is widely remembered for his powerful hitting and defensive skills at the hot corner.
When did he play for the Astros?
His tenure with the Astros spanned from 1987 to 1994, followed by a return near the end of his life from 1999 to 2000. This makes him one of the few players to wear the team jersey for two distinct eras.
What were his major achievements?
Although he won the National League MVP award while playing for San Diego, he also earned three Gold Glove Awards during his peak years. Caminiti was selected as an All-Star multiple times throughout his fifteen-season major league career.
Why is he considered an Astro legend despite the MVP being with San Diego?
He is enshrined in the Astros Hall of Fame because of his early development and impact on the team before his later fame with another franchise. Fans revere him for his local roots and his contribution to the club's history during the late 80s and early 90s.
How did his life end?
Tragically, Caminiti passed away on October 10, 2004, at the age of 41 due to a heart attack. His death marked the end of a brilliant but short life that left a lasting mark on baseball history.
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