Playing Career
Josh Paul played college baseball at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. After being selected by the Chicago White Sox in the amateur draft in 1996, Paul was a back-up catcher from 1999 until he was granted his outright release in 2003. He was signed by the Chicago Cubs, but was again released in October of the same year. The Anaheim Angels signed him in 2004. He was traded after the 2005 season to the Devil Rays for minor league third baseman Travis Schlichting.
According to commentator Tim McCarver, Paul is writing a book about pitch selection. According to Rays' broadcaster Joe Magrane an entire chapter will be devoted to Seth McClung, a temperamental hard thrower with control issues; Paul was McClung's personal catcher during the 2006 season.
After McClung was sent to the minor leagues to be converted to closing and Tampa Bay Devil Rays starting catcher Toby Hall was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dioner Navarro came to Tampa Bay as the Devil Rays' main catcher. Paul was limited to 35 games in 2007 because of hand and elbow injuries. On February 1, 2008, the Rays signed Paul to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. After failing to make the team, Paul was released and signed with the Houston Astros on April 6. On June 14, Paul was released by the Astros.
Paul, who lost a friend in the September 11, 2001 attacks, was a proponent of playing games scheduled on September 11, 2002.
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