Biography
Known to everyone as C.J., Charles is one of the outstanding all-around catchers in baseball. A four-time Gold Glove winner, he's a big-time leader behind the dish and is excellent at blocking balls in the dirt. Charles has a quick release and an accurate arm which baserunners have come to respect over the years. A South Florida native, he returned to his original team in 2001 when he signed with the Marlins. Charles was outstanding during the first half of the season as he hit .285, with 16 home runs, 21 doubles and 56 RBI, to earn a trip to the All-Star Game. With such a young and talented pitching staff, the Marlins certainly benefit from Charles' wisdom and the way he handles a staff.

Charles began 2000 with the Baltimore Orioles before being traded to the Chicago White Sox on July 29. He established career highs in home runs (31), RBI (91) and batting average (.304) and hit more homers than any catcher in the majors except Mike Piazza (38). In September, when catchers are usually wearing down, Charles hit .366 and he even had seven RBI in a game against Anaheim. A three-year letterman at the University of Miami, Charles played on the Marlins' World Championship team in 1997. He led Florida with 10 hits in the World Series, hitting .357, with one home run and three RBI. Charles didn't make a single error during the '97 season, part of a stretch that saw him go a major-league-record 172 consecutive games without a miscue.