- The slugger he played for 19 years in the Major Leagues and 13 years in Venezuelan baseball, thus leaving his mark on the Creole ball
Andrés Galarraga was one of the first sluggers Venezuelans in the Major Leagues. He also left a mark in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP). This June 18, the “Gato” turns 61 years old and his name continues to be at the top of the Venezuelan representation in Major League Baseball (MLB) and in Creole baseball.
The Venezuelan was born on June 18, 1961 in Caracas, Venezuela. At just 17 years old, he joined the Leones del Caracas for the 1978-1979 season. That year the capital’s dynasty would begin with a three-time championship with stellar players such as Baudilio Díaz, Antonio Armas, Jesús Marcano Trillo, Gonzálo Márquez, among others.
In his first campaign he only took 11 at-bats, had five hits and his first home run. That would be the start for one of the best hitters in the long-haired franchise. In that year he won his first championship with the capital team.
From the age of 20, he established himself at first base for the Lions where he improved his ability with the bat. In the 1985-1986 season, at the age of 24, he had one of his best seasons in the country.
He batted for an average of .297, hit 14 home runs, drove in 37 runs and scored 47. With these numbers he won the Most Valuable Player and Producer of the Year Awards, the first time both awards were given.
In 1987, the Venezuelan first baseman won his second LVBP title against the Tiburones de La Guaira in which he batted .467, seven hits and two home runs. He won his third championship the following year, this time against the Tigres de Aragua.
Galarraga finished his stage after 13 years with the Lions with 487 games, 1,687 at-bats, 457 hits, 61 homers, 243 RBIs, 256 runs scored, 743 bases reached, 148 extra-base hits and a .271 average.
He was also the team’s second-highest homer with 61. Only below Antonio Armas, who hit 91 with the uniform of the capital.
On December 22, 2008, the long-haired franchise held a commemorative act at the University Stadium in Caracas to withdraw the number 41 used by “Gato”. Only 12 players have their number withdrawn in the Leones del Caracas.
I am proud to have belonged to this team and from my heart I will continue to be for all my life. All of us who have passed through this school know that we must work very hard, that you are facing a fanatic that puts pressure on you, something that at the same time motivates you to do things well. I really have no words to thank you for this, ”she expressed at the ceremony.
The “Cat” in the Major Leagues
In the Major Leagues, he debuted at the age of 24 in 1985 with the Montreal Expos (now the Washington Nationals). Although at first he did not participate in many games, over the next few years he began to show his level in the big leagues.
With the Montreal team he obtained two Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger. He then was traded to the Colorado Rockies, where he had his best time as a hitter.
In 1993 he joined the Colorado club with players like Vinny Castilla, Dante Bichette and Larry Walker. Along with Galarraga, this group was named the “Blake Street Bombers” due to their ability to hit home runs.
The Creole slugger hit more than 40 home runs and drove in more than 120 runs in three years (1996, 1997 and 1998). During his time with the Denver franchise, he won a Silver Slugger and attended three All-Star Games.
Beat cancer to return to the diamond
In 1999, Galarraga announced that he had a tumor on his back that was cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy to overcome it, for which he had to abandon his career as a player for a year.
At 37 years of age, the Venezuelan overcame the disease and a year later returned to the Atlanta Braves.
As Galarraga walked the bases, the fans, especially the Venezuelans at Turner Field, gave a standing ovation and waved the Venezuelan flag. After reaching home plate, the Creole slugger took off his helmet in gratitude for the ovation he received after the hit.
At the end of his career, the “Gato” left a lifetime .288 batting average, 2,333 hits, 1,425 RBI, 1,195 runs scored and 399 home runs. He also won two Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers and a Batting Title.
Galarraga is the second Venezuelan with the most homers in the Major Leagues with 399 behind Miguel Cabrera (502), second in RBI and fifth in runs scored.
The legacy and numbers of Andrés Galarraga will remain forever in the history of Venezuelan baseball. The number 41 of the Leones de Caracas was one of the best first basemen and right-handed hitters who passed through the Major Leagues and the LVBP.
