Curtis John Pride (born December 17, 1968 in Washington, DC) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who plays with the Anaheim Angels. Previously, he played for the Montreal Expos (1993, 1995, 2001), Detroit Tigers (1997), Boston Red Sox (1997, 2000), Atlanta Braves (1998) and New York Yankees (2003).

Pride is a inspirational player who has overcome deafness to be viable a major league outfielder.

Deaf at birth from rubella, Pride grew up oral and graduated from the College of William and Mary. He did not play baseball at college but was a basketball star. He also was an excellent soccer player who played for the United States at the Under 17 World Championships in China (1985). Along the way, he has compiled an impressive resume of community-related achievements.

Pride was originally signed by the Mets, but reached the majors with Montreal. A left-handed hitter, selective at the plate, with some power, and also a speedy runner, he never played regularly. Instead, he has played in left and right whenever somebody was hurt, and he is regarded as an excellent fielder with a good arm.

Pride became a free agent before 1996 season and signed with Detroit, where he played well in part-time outfield role. With fewer that 300 plate appearances in 95 games, he compiled high-career numbers in batting average (.300), home runs (10), RBI (31), runs (52), hits (80), doubles (17) triples (5) and stolen bases (11), which put him on pace to improve his offensive with full time at-bats. But 1997 found him on the disabled list and was traded to the Red Sox. After that, he played with the Braves, returned to Boston and Montreal, and saw a little action with the Yankees. He was signed by the Angels before the present season.

In eight seasons Pride has batted .253 (182-for-718) with 19 homers and 77 RBI in 353 games. When he is not playing baseball, Pride together with his wife, Lisa, is actively involved in the Together With Pride foundation, which aids hearing impaired children through a hearing aid bank and according to the foundation's website. There are several activities the foundation supports or hopes to support, such as a scholarship program, literacy, and mentoring.

In 1996, Pride received the Tony Conigliaro Award, given annually to a MLB player who best overcomes an obstacle and adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage.

External links

• 2004 statistics at ESPN
• Statistics and analysis at Baseball Reference
• Together with Pride website