Kolten Wong Wife: Meet Alissa Noll – Kolten Wong is an accomplished American professional baseball second baseman currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Born on October 10, 1990, over his career, Kolten Wong has also showcased his skills with the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Seattle Mariners. He made his MLB debut in 2013 and is known for his left-handed batting and right-handed throwing.
Hailing from Hilo, Hawaii, Wong’s baseball journey began with standout performances at Kamehameha Hawaii High School and later with the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His talents didn’t go unnoticed, as the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft, and he was called up to the major leagues just two years later.
In his early MLB career, Kolten Wong quickly established himself as a key player for the Cardinals. He was primarily the team’s starting second baseman and even earned accolades like two Gold Gloves and three Fielding Bible Awards during his tenure with the Cardinals. His career took off in 2014 when he was named the National League Rookie of the Month for May.
Following the 2020 offseason, the Cardinals decided not to pick up Wong’s player option for the 2021 season, making him a free agent for the first time. He subsequently signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he spent two seasons before being traded to the Seattle Mariners after the 2022 season.
Kolten Wong’s baseball heritage runs in the family, as his father, Kolen “Kaha” Wong, was a former college baseball player at the University of Southern California (USC) and spent some time in the minor leagues with the Reno Silver Sox in Class-A. Kaha Wong decided to return to Hilo, Hawaii, to raise his family after his minor league stint, and he became a prominent baseball coach in Hawaii. He focused on teaching Kolten the game and emphasized daily workouts. Their connections even extended to mixed martial artist B. J. Penn and his father, Jay Dee Penn, who ran a gym where Kaha Wong trained children in baseball fundamentals.
Kolten Wong’s dedication to becoming a skilled baseball player was evident in his daily routine, which included two hours of tree cutting with an axe to build strength and batting cage sessions. He also represented his team, Pacific Southwest, in the Cal Ripken World Series in Aberdeen, Maryland, and played in the 2007 Senior League Baseball World Series as part of his Hilo American Little League team. His younger brother, Kean, also participated in the Junior Little League World Series.
Kolten Wong’s official role as the Cardinals’ starting second baseman began to take shape in spring training for the 2014 season. This transition was facilitated by the Cardinals’ trade of third baseman David Freese and the move of Matt Carpenter to third base. While Wong initially struggled with a .225 batting average in April, he improved his performance and was temporarily demoted to Memphis.
After returning to the MLB club, Wong demonstrated his capabilities with a .344 batting average, two home runs, five steals, and an .867 OPS in 15 games. His modified swing and strong defensive play made him a standout player. Notably, he recorded a plus-7 defensive runs saved, leading NL second basemen despite some time spent in the minors. As a result, Wong was named the National League Rookie of the Month.
Wong’s contributions continued throughout the 2014 season, both offensively and defensively. He recorded his first career MLB home run, a grand slam, against the Kansas City Royals’ ace, James Shields. However, Wong faced a setback when he reaggravated a shoulder injury he had sustained earlier in the month. The Cardinals subsequently placed him on the 15-day disabled list (DL). Following his return from the DL, Wong continued to shine with a walk-off home run against Ernesto Frieri of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In August 2014, Kolten Wong had an outstanding performance, highlighted by a game in which he was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle against the Milwaukee Brewers. He also achieved his first career multi-home run game and recorded his second career four-hit game in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. Wong’s impressive season included starting 100 games at second base, finishing with a .249 batting average, 12 home runs, 54 RBIs, 42 runs scored, and leading the club with 20 stolen bases.
The Cardinals clinched the National League Central Division, and Wong continued to be a valuable asset in the playoffs. He hit a crucial two-run homer in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers and a walk-off home run in Game 2 of the NLCS against the San Francisco Giants. For the entire 2014 postseason, Wong appeared in eight games, hitting three home runs and three doubles. His outstanding performance earned him a third-place finish in the National League Rookie of the Year Award voting.
In 2015, Kolten Wong contributed significantly to the Cardinals’ success. He had notable games, such as a three-hit performance against the Washington Nationals, which included a home run. Wong also hit a regular-season walk-off home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates. For the season, he achieved a .262 batting average with 28 doubles, four triples, 11 home runs, and 71 runs scored.
In March 2016, Kolten Wong signed a five-year extension with the Cardinals worth $25.5 million, including a team option for 2021. However, he faced struggles in the early part of the season, leading to a demotion to the minor leagues.
During his stint with Memphis, Wong gained experience as a center fielder. He was eventually recalled by the Cardinals in June. Despite the challenges, Wong finished the 2016 season with a .240 batting average, five home runs, 23 RBIs, and a .682 OPS.
In 2017, Kolten Wong had a strong comeback season, hitting .285 with four home runs, 42 RBIs, and a career-high 41 walks despite playing in only 108 games.
In 2018, Wong continued to excel with clutch performances, including walk-off home runs against the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates. He finished the season with a .249 batting average, nine home runs, 38 RBIs, and impressive defensive contributions.
Wong’s success carried into the 2019 season, marked by a two-run home run in his first at-bat against the Milwaukee Brewers. He finished the season with a slash line of .285/.361/.423, 11 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases. His defense was outstanding, earning him a Gold Glove Award, his first in his career.
In the shortened 2020 season, Kolten Wong maintained his high defensive standards and was awarded his second consecutive Gold Glove. His performance included leading major league second basemen in defensive runs saved, defensive WAR, double plays turned, and double plays started. Despite his contributions, the Cardinals declined Wong’s team option for 2021, making him a free agent.
In February 2021, Wong signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, which also included a club option for the 2023 season. However, he was eventually traded to the Seattle Mariners in December 2022.
Wong’s stint with the Mariners began with a platoon role at second base, but he struggled and saw a decrease in playing time by May. His batting average with the Mariners stood at .165, with two home runs and 19 RBIs in 67 games. On August 1, Wong was designated for assignment and subsequently released by the Mariners on August 3.
Subsequently, Wong embarked on a new journey with the Los Angeles Dodgers in August 2023, signing a minor league contract. He made an immediate impact by hitting a 3-run home run in his debut at-bat with the Dodgers’ major league team on September 1.
Kolten Wong Wife: Meet Alissa Noll
In November 2015, Kolten Wong tied the knot with Alissa Noll. Their love story began while they were both students at the University of Hawaii, where Alissa excelled as a track and field athlete. When the baseball season ends, they make their home in Honolulu, Hawaii. Previously, they also owned a residence in Creve Coeur, Missouri, but decided to sell it after Kolten joined the Milwaukee Brewers.
In March 2021, the couple joyfully shared the news of their impending parenthood, with Alissa expecting their first child. Their son arrived in September of that year, and they named him Kash Kaha Sho Wong. The family’s happiness continued to grow, as they welcomed their second child on March 20, 2023, and named him Kruz Ka’aina Wong.
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
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Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
