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190. Andres Galarraga

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190. Andres Galarraga
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: June 18, 1961 in Caracas, Di Venezuela
  • Weight: 235 lbs.
  • Height: 6'3"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: August 23, 1985
  • Final Game: October 03, 2004
  • Silver Slugger - 1988
  • Gold Glove - 1989
  • Gold Glove - 1990
  • Silver Slugger - 1996
  • MVP - 1988
  • MVP - 1993
  • MVP - 1994
  • MVP - 1995
  • MVP - 1996
  • MVP - 1997
  • MVP - 1998
 
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
16192239046667982850256 0.288
 

The Montreal Expos had earned a reputation for scouting and signing Latin American talent, and one of the best examples of that was Venezuelan First Baseman, Andres Galarraga.

Galarraga debuted in Montreal in 1985, and after a rocky start, he batted .305 in 1987 and was an All-Star the season after where he posted a .302 Batting Average and was the league-leader in Hits (184) and Doubles (42).  Like every home-grown star of the Expos of the late 80s and early 90s, Galarraga left when the impending free agent was traded to St. Louis.

The Venezuelan was injured for most of the year, and he only played in 95 Games for the Cards, but he signed with the expansion Colorado Rockies in 1993, and it ushered in the best era of his career.

Coors Field was an excellent fit for Galarraga, who batted .370 in the Rockies' first season, and he gave them their first batting champion.  The First Baseman was an All-Star that year, and he showed off greater power numbers hitting 31 Home Runs in both 1994 and 1995, the first time he ever eclipsed 30.  Galarraga blasted 47 in 1996 with 150 RBIs, both of which would lead the National League.  He was sixth in MVP voting that year and was seventh the year after with a 41 HR/140 RBI year, which like the season before, also saw Galarraga bat over .300.

Galarraga joined the Atlanta Braves in 1998 and was an All-Star again, showcasing excellent power metrics (44 HR, 121 RBI).  Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma kept him out of the entire 1999 season.  He came back in 2000, providing Atlanta with 28 Home Runs and an even 100 in RBIs, and Galarraga was chosen for his fifth and final All-Star Game.  That was his last good year in baseball, and he finished off his career with stints in Texas, San Francisco, Montreal (again), San Francisco (again), and Anaheim. 

A valid criticism of Galarraga was his propensity to strike out.  He was the leader in whiffs in four different seasons, and he would have 2,003 Strikeouts in his career.  Galarraga would accumulate 2,333 Hits, 399 Home Runs, and 1,425 Runs Batted In over his 19-year career. 

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Caracas, Venezuela
  • Eligible In: Friday, 01 January 2010
  • Position: First Base
  • Played For: Anaheim Angels, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Montreal Expos, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (None)  
    All-Star (5) (1988, 1993, 1997, 1998 & 2000)
    Silver Slugger (2) (NL) (1988 & 1996)
    Gold Glove (2) (NL) (1989 & 1990)
    Highest Batting Average (1) (NL) (1993)
    Most Hits (1) (NL) (1988)
    Most Total Bases (1) (NL) (1988)
    Most Doubles (1) (NL) (1988)
    Most Home Runs (1) (NL) (1996)
    Most Times Hit By Pitch (2) (NL) (1987 & 1989)
    Most Extra Base Hits (1) (NL) (1988)
    Most Putouts (4) (NL) (1987, 1995, 1996 & 1997)
    Most Putouts by a First Baseman (4) (NL) (1987, 1995, 1996 & 1997)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a First Baseman (3) (NL) (1995, 1996 & 1997)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a First Baseman (4) (NL) (1987, 1995, 1996 & 1997)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten MVP Finishes: 
    (NL: 1988, 7th), (NL: 1993, 10th), (NL: 1994, 10th), (NL: 1996, 6th), (NL: 1997, 7th) & (NL: 1998, 6th
    1 Top Ten Finish (bWAR for Position Players)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Offensive bWAR)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Batting Average)
    1 Top Ten Finish (On Base Percentage)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Slugging Percentage)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (OPS)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (OPS+)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Scored)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Hits)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Total Bases)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Triples)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Home Runs)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Batted In)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Extra Base Hits)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Power-Speed #)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    12. Double Plays Turned by a First Baseman: 1,648
    15. Assists by a First Baseman: 1,376
    19. Putouts by a First Baseman: 18,244
    21. Putouts: 18,244
    13. Times Hit By Pitch: 178
    59. Home Runs: 399
    70. Runs Batted In: 1,425
    77. Extra Base Hits: 875
    87. Total Bases: 4,038

  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    2010: 4.1%

  • Should be Inducted As A: Montreal Expo

Should Andres Galarraga be in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 76.9%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 15.4%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 7.7%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

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