Coco Crisp, born Covelli Loyce Crisp on November 1, 1979, in Los Angeles, California, is a former professional baseball outfielder of Puerto Rican and African-American descent. He attended Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California, before beginning his professional baseball career.
The nickname “Coco” originated from his siblings, who thought he resembled the mascot on the Cocoa Krispies cereal box. Though initially used jokingly in childhood, the name gained prominence when he listed it on a minor league roster form. Teammates embraced it, and it remained in use throughout his career. In 2013, he officially adopted "Coco" as his legal first name.
His father, Loyce Crisp, owned a fast food restaurant, while his mother, Pamela Crisp, was a former amateur boxer and award-winning sprinter. Crisp’s athletic roots were evident from a young age; in 1995, he played in the Senior Division RBI World Series, showcasing his talent early on.
Crisp began his professional baseball journey when he was selected in the 7th round of the 1999 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He played in the minor leagues with various Cardinals affiliates across four different leagues, from 1999 through 2001. In 2002, he started the season with the New Haven Ravens, the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, before being traded for pitcher Chuck Finley. This deal marked the turning point in his path to the Major Leagues.
Crisp debuted in Major League Baseball with the Cleveland Indians in 2002, stepping in as a center fielder when Matt Lawton was sidelined due to injury. Over the next few seasons, Crisp steadily gained a reputation for his speed, defensive range, and aggressive base running. Eventually, he transitioned to left field, primarily due to the emergence of Grady Sizemore in center field. During his final years with the Indians, his offensive skills also began to improve noticeably.
Following his tenure in Cleveland, Crisp played for the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, and finally, the Oakland Athletics, beginning in 2010. Known for his ability as a switch-hitter and for throwing right-handed, Crisp primarily excelled as a center fielder but remained a versatile defensive asset throughout his career.
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds, Crisp was widely recognized for his agility and base-stealing prowess. Despite several shoulder injuries that diminished his throwing strength, he remained an effective outfielder due to his instincts and range. Crisp once held the record for most consecutive stolen bases without being caught in the American League and was regarded as a smart, aggressive baserunner throughout his 15-year MLB career.
Though he was not known for hitting home runs, Crisp regularly provided consistent offense and speed. While his arm was limited due to surgeries, his contribution in defensive metrics remained valuable, particularly in left field during the latter years of his career.
In 2016, Crisp was traded from the Oakland Athletics back to the Cleveland Indians. The mid-season deal was structured with Cleveland receiving $1.67 million from Oakland, who retained responsibility for a portion of Crisp’s remaining $2 million salary. The Indians, in turn, sent minor league pitcher Colt Hynes to Oakland. Crisp agreed to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate the transaction.
| Birth Date: | 1 Nov, 1979 |
| Age: | 40 yrs |
| Occupations: | Baseball player |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Los Angeles |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American baseball player |
| Twitter Id: | Coco_crisp |
| Net Worth 2021: | 30 million |
