Womack was drafted by the
Pittsburgh Pirates in
1991 MLB draft and became their everyday
second baseman in 1997. That year, which was his first full year in the MLB, he played in his only
All-Star Game and led the National League in stolen bases (60). In 1998, he again led the National League in stolen bases (58). After the 1998 season, he was traded to the Diamondbacks for two minor leaguers. The Diamondbacks moved Womack from second base to
right field in 1999, then to
shortstop in 2000. In 1999, Womack led the major leagues in stolen bases (72) which set a Diamondback record for most stolen bases in a season. Womack was an important part of the Arizona Diamondbacks' world championship team in 2001, especially with two key base hits that both came in the bottom of the ninth inning of deciding games in the playoffs. Womack ended the
first-round series with a
walk-off single off the Cardinals'
Steve Kline. Later, Womack set up
Luis Gonzalez' famous game-winning single in Game 7 of the
World Series with a game-tying one-out hit against the Yankees'
Mariano Rivera. Womack's game-tying double was cited by the Wall Street Journal in 2006 as the most significant clutch hit in baseball history. Womack owns the Diamondbacks record for most stolen bases in a career (182). Womack signed with the Red Sox but was traded to the Cardinals before the start of the 2004 season, and he was moved back to his original position at second base. After recovering from
Tommy John surgery and a disappointing 2003 season, Womack
batted a career-high .307 with five
home runs, 38
runs batted in, and 26 stolen bases for the Cardinals. After the 2004 season, Womack chose to sign with the New York Yankees, rather than wait for the Cardinals to offer him an extension. Despite turning in a productive 2004, Womack struggled with the Yankees in 2005, losing his starting second base job to
Robinson Canó. In 2006, after being released by the Reds, the Chicago Cubs signed him to a minor league deal and called him up on May 26. Womack was designated for assignment on June 30 and became a free agent on July 10. He received a non-roster invitation to
spring training with the
Washington Nationals for the 2007 season, but was released on March 8, ending his playing career. ==See also==