Caminiti was named the National League Most Valuable Player (NL MVP) with San Diego in 1996, and he was a three-time MLB All-Star.

Caminiti played professional baseball for 15 seasons, beginning with the Osceola Astros of the Single-A Florida State League in 1985.

Skipping Triple-A, Caminiti was called up and made his major league debut at age 24 with the Houston Astros on July 16, 1987.

Despite an injury forcing Walling to the disabled list in mid-June, the Astros did not call up Caminiti, instead trading for the veteran Buddy Bell.

[4] Despite being plagued with several injuries throughout his tenure in Houston, Caminiti became a constant presence at third base over the next six seasons, averaging .263 with 12 home runs and 69 RBIs from 1989 to 1994.

During this time, he formed part of the nucleus of the Astros offense alongside future Hall of Famers Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio, plus Steve Finley and Luis Gonzalez (both of whom ended their careers with over 2500 hits and 300 home runs).

In 1995, at the age of 32, he reached career highs at the plate by hitting .302 with 26 home runs and 94 RBIs in his first season for the Padres, winning his first of three consecutive Gold Glove Awards.

The switch-hitting Caminiti also became the first player to ever have three games with a home run from each side of the plate,[6] remarkably having entirely done so over a single four-game span.

[7][8][9] In 1996, Caminiti again set new career highs, batting .326 with 40 home runs and 130 RBIs (which remains the Padres' single season RBI record).

With liters of intravenous fluid received alongside a Snickers bar, Caminiti hit two home runs in the victory over the Mets.

[12] He dropped off slightly in 1997, but remained productive, batting .290 with 26 home runs and 90 RBIs, and was voted the National League's starting third baseman for the All Star Game.

His 2000 season was ended by a wrist injury in mid-June, and Caminiti left the team in early September to enter a substance abuse rehabilitation center.

Three days later, he signed with the Atlanta Braves, who moved him across the infield due to the presence of Chipper Jones, and attempted to use Caminiti as a power-hitting first baseman.

Caminiti won three Gold Glove Awards while playing for the Padres[16] in 1995, 1996, and 1997, and he was unanimously selected as the National League's MVP in 1996.

[24] Caminiti was also getting mental health therapy from the MLB's Employee Assistance Program, owing to childhood trauma from sexual abuse in middle school.

He had recounted to others participating in rehab sessions that he believed this abuse was the driving force behind his substance use (serving as a way to try to turn his mind off from the memories).