The former American League MVP was acquired through a trade with the Baltimore Orioles in December, 2007 - the day before his name appeared in the Mitchell Report that tied major league players to illegal performance enhancing drugs. Tejada denied that claim but found himself admitting to lying about his age on his Dominican birth certificate and pled guilty to giving false testimony before Congress. He has also denied charges that he tipped pitches to fellow countrymen while playing with the Oakland A's.

On the field, however, Tejada has proven to be a durable and consistent hitter although with fewer homers than in his American League days. He was twice named to the National League All-Star Team as an Astro and led the club in batting average (.313) and hits (199) in 2009. In the clubhouse, he was cited as an enthusiastic and energetic teammate who has also been involved in community work.

Tejada was allowed to leave in free agency and split time in 2010 with the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres, playing both at third base and shortstop.

Of special note is that Tejada won the Home Run Derby held before the 2004 All-Star Game at Minute Maid Park.

Stats

Batting           G     AB    R   H   2B  3B  HR  RBI   BB   SO   SB  CS   AVG   SLG   OBA   OPS
2008             158   632   92  179  38   3  13   66   24   72    7   7  .283  .415  .314  .729
2009             158   635   83  199  46   1  14   86   19   48    5   2  .313  .455  .340  .795
Totals           316  1267  175  378  84   4  27  152   43  120   12   9  .298  .435  .327  .762

Astros Trades & Transactions

Dec 12, 2007 - Traded Matt Albers (P), Troy Patton (P), Dennis Sarfate (P), Luke Scott (OF) and Mike Constanzo (IF) to Bal-A for Miguel Tejada (IF)

This Date in Astros History

Dec 12, 2007 - Houston deals five players to Baltimore for shortstop Miguel Tejada, a former American League M.V.P. The Astros send outfielder Luke Scott and minor leaguer Mike Constanzo to the Orioles along with pitchers Troy Patton, Matt Albers and Dennis Sarfate. In a related move, Houston waives veteran shortstop Adam Everett.

Dec 13, 2007 - The Mitchell Report on steroids in baseball is released, naming those players whom there was either evidence or testimony of using performance enhancing drugs. A handful of former Astros, including Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte are named. Newly-acquired shortstop Miguel Tejada also makes the list. Clemens, through an attorney, denies using steroids.

Jan 15, 2008 - During congressional hearings about the use of performance enhancing drugs, an order is issued for the FBI to investigate statements from shortstop Miguel Tejada for possible perjury charges. Tejada, acquired the month before in a trade, is in the Dominican Republic and unavailable for comment.

Feb 19, 2008 - The first full day of spring training is a rough one for a trio of Astros. Outfielder Hunter Pence arrives with cuts all over his hands and knees after crashing through a sliding glass door while leaving the hot tub of his rental home. Shortstop Miguel Tejada is grilled by the press about his legal troubles stemming from the Mitchell Report and infielder Mark Loretta learns he has lost his arbitration case, receiving $2.75 million in salary instead of the $4.9 million he sought.

Apr 25, 2008 - A triple by Miguel Tejada and a solo homer by Carlos Lee key a three-run rally in the ninth off Jason Isringhausen to stun the Cardinals, 3-2. After starting the season 6-12, the revamped Astros notch their sixth win in a row to climb back to the .500 mark.

May 2, 2008 - Consecutive homers by Miguel Tejada, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee highlight a 7-4 victory over Milwaukee. The feat happens in the sixth off Carlos Villarreal. Tejada's blast comes after he promised a homer to a child with muscular dystrophy before the game. Hunter Pence accounts for the other three tallies with a pair of long balls.

May 14, 2008 - Lance Berkman's incredible month continues during a 6-3 win at San Francisco. He hits a two-run homer to give him a majors-leading 14. He also leads the National League in RBIs (40), runs (43) and OPS (1.264). He's batting .580 for the month and his current batting average (.388) is second overall. Miguel Tejada and Brad Ausmus drive in the other runs. The next day, Berkman homers into McCovey Cove to complete an 8-7 comeback. Houston has won 18 of their last 24 after a 6-12 start.

May 27, 2008 - Hunter Pence goes 5-for-5 and Miguel Tejada blasts a two-run homer to pace an 8-2 win in St. Louis behind seven strong innings from Shawn Chacon. The Astros and Cardinals are in a tie for second in the division behind Chicago.

Feb 11, 2009 - Miguel Tejada pleads guilty in Washington D.C. to lying to congressional investigators about performance enhancing drugs. He claims he also purchased but did not use human growth hormone which he bought from former Oakland teammate Adam Piatt. He is later sentenced to one year probation, 100 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine.

May 13, 2009 - Every person in the Astros' starting lineup, including pitcher Mike Hampton, has a multi-hit game in the 15-11 victory over Colorado at Coors Field. Lance Berkman led the 24-hit attack (one shy of the club record) with a 4-for-4 night. Miguel Tejada adds three hits while Geoff Blum drives in five. Houston scores all their runs without the benefit of a homer.

June 13, 2009 - Minutes after Miguel Tejada strokes his 2,000th career hit to drive in a run, Lance Berkman launches his 300th career homer to pace a 6-4 win at Arizona. After seven strong innings by Roy Oswalt, Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins work their way out of jams to preserve the win. The Astros are last in the division with a 28-32 record but are just five games out of first.

July 22, 2009 - Houston stuns closer Ryan Franklin with two runs in the bottom of the ninth to clip the Cardinals, 4-3, and sweep the three-game series from the division leaders. The Astros move within a game of first. Miguel Tejada strokes the game-winner after Chris Coste failed twice to lay down a bunt then spanked an RBI double to center. Jose Valverde wins in relief.