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{{short description|Venezuelan baseball player (born 1961)}}
'''Andres Galarraga''' ([[June 18]], [[1961]]), born '''Andrés José Padovani Galarraga''' (gal-lar-RAH-ga), is a [[Major League Baseball]] [[first baseman]] and right-handed batter who has played for the [[Montreal Expos]], [[St. Louis Cardinals]], [[Colorado Rockies]], [[Atlanta Braves]], [[Texas Rangers]] and [[San Francisco Giants]]. In 2004 he was not in the major leagues, but had not yet formally retired.
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{BLP sources|date=September 2020}}
{{family name hatnote|Padovani|Galarraga|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name = Andrés Galarraga
|image = Andres galarraga2002.jpg
|image_size = 250px
|caption = Galarraga with the Expos in 2002
|position = [[First baseman]]
|bats = Right
|throws = Right
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|6|18}}
|birth_place = [[Caracas]], [[Venezuela]]
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate = August 23
|debutyear = 1985
|debutteam = Montreal Expos
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate = October 3
|finalyear = 2004
|finalteam = Anaheim Angels
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value = .288
|stat3label = [[Home run]]s
|stat3value = 399
|stat2label = [[Hit (baseball)|Hits]]
|stat2value = 2,333
|stat4label = [[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat4value = 1,425
|teams =
* [[Montreal Expos]] ({{mlby|1985}}–{{mlby|1991}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|1992}})
* [[Colorado Rockies]] ({{mlby|1993}}–{{mlby|1997}})
* [[Atlanta Braves]] ({{mlby|1998}}, {{mlby|2000}})
* [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] ({{mlby|2001}})
* [[San Francisco Giants]] ({{mlby|2001}})
* [[Montreal Expos]] ({{mlby|2002}})
* [[San Francisco Giants]] ({{mlby|2003}})
* [[Los Angeles Angels|Anaheim Angels]] ({{mlby|2004}})
|highlights=
* 5× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1988 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1988]], [[1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1993]], [[1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1997]], [[1998 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1998]], [[2000 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2000]])
* 2× [[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove Award]] (1989, 1990)
* 2× [[Silver Slugger Award]] (1988, 1996)
* [[List of Major League Baseball batting champions|NL batting champion]] (1993)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders|NL home run leader]] (1996)
* 2× [[List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders|NL RBI leader]] (1996, 1997)
|hofcolor = #ffd700
|hoflink = Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = Venezuelan
|hofdate = [[Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum#2010|2010]]
|hofvote =
|hofmethod =
}}


'''Andrés José Padovani Galarraga''' ({{IPA|es|anˈdɾes ɣalaˈraɣa|lang}}; born June 18, 1961) is a [[Venezuelans|Venezuelan]] former professional [[baseball]] [[first baseman]], who played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Montreal Expos]] ({{baseball year|1985}}–{{baseball year|1991}} and {{baseball year|2002}}), [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{baseball year|1992}}), [[Colorado Rockies]] ({{baseball year|1993}}–{{baseball year|1997}}), [[Atlanta Braves]] ({{baseball year|1998}}–{{baseball year|2000}}), [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] ({{baseball year|2001}}), [[San Francisco Giants]] (2001 and {{baseball year|2003}}) and [[Los Angeles Angels|Anaheim Angels]] ({{baseball year|2004}}). He batted and threw right-handed. During his playing days, Galarraga stood {{convert|6|ft|3|in|m}} tall, weighing {{convert|235|lb|kg}}.<ref name="bbrefgalarragamaj">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/galaran01.shtml|title=Andres Galarraga Stats|date=2020|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=February 6, 2020}}</ref>
Galarraga was born in [[Caracas, Venezuela]]. At six-foot-three and 235 pounds, he began his professional career in Venezuela at 16 and has played baseball ever since. He was nicknamed '''"The Big Cat"''' (El Gran Gato) for his extraordinary quickness at first base in spite of his big frame. Also, he is a very popular player both for his achievements on the field, and for his big and bright smile smile that is used to charm, greet, guard, and convince. Several injuries plagued Galarraga throughout his career, and, in 2004, he has beaten cancer for a second time and is hoping to get back to the major leagues.

Galarraga began his professional career in [[Venezuela]] at the age of 16. He was nicknamed "'''the Big Cat'''" (textually translated from English as ''El Gran Gato'', although his nickname in his native Venezuela was '''El Gato''') for his impressively quick reflexes and seamless defensive skills as a first baseman despite his large physical size. Galarraga was a five-time [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) [[All-Star Game|All-Star]], won two NL [[Gold Glove Award]]s and two NL [[Silver Slugger Award]]s, and won two [[MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award]]s, the second time after his successful return to baseball following cancer treatment.


==Career==
==Career==


===Venezuelan Winter League===
===Venezuelan Winter League===
Galarraga was signed by the ''Leones del Caracas'' club as a [[catcher]] and [[third baseman]]. He made his debut in the 1978-79 season. Some of the players he had as teammates were the bigleaguers [[Tony Armas]], [[Bo Diaz]], [[Manny Trillo]], [[Gonzalo Marquez]] and [[Leo Hernandez]]. Galarraga started as an utility and three seasons later he was the regular first baseman. At the recommendation of team manager [[Felipe Alou]], he was signed by the Expos in 1979. At that time, some MLB scouts thought this 17-year-old power-hitting prodigy was too fat to play professionally.
Galarraga was signed by the [[Leones del Caracas]] as a [[catcher]] and [[third baseman]]. He made his debut in the {{baseball year|1978}}–{{baseball year|1979}} season. Some of the players Galarraga had as teammates included big-leaguers [[Tony Armas]], [[Bo Díaz]], [[Manny Trillo]], [[Gonzalo Márquez]], and [[Leo Hernández]]. Galarraga originally started as a utility player, but three seasons later he became the regular first baseman of the team. At the recommendation of team manager [[Felipe Alou]], he was signed by the Expos in 1979.<ref name=library>{{cite web|url=https://baseballbiography.com/andres-galarraga-1961|title=Andrés Galarraga Biography|publisher=Baseball Biography|work=baseballbiography.com|access-date=June 13, 2009}}</ref> At the time, some MLB scouts thought the 17-year-old power-hitting prodigy was too overweight to play professionally. Galarraga played with this team until 1993, when he retired from Venezuelan Winter League.

In the 1985-86 season Galarraga played a full 65-games schedule, leading the league in [[homerun]]s (14) and [[Run (baseball statistics)|runs]] (47); [[batting average|batting]] .297, and was second in [[runs batted in]] (37) and [[Double (baseball)|doubles]] (10). In 13 overall seasons he hit .271 with 61 homers and 282 RBI in 555 games. Beside this, the stockily-built young player showed good instincts for streching [[Hit (baseball statistics)|singles]], taking the extra base, compiling a significant number of [[Triple (baseball)|triples]] and [[stolen base]]s.


===Minor leagues===
===Minor leagues===
In [[Minor League Baseball]] (MiLB), Galarraga played for the [[West Palm Beach Expos]] ({{baseball year|1979}}, {{baseball year|1982}}–{{baseball year|1983}}), [[Calgary Expos]] (1979–{{baseball year|1980}}), [[Jamestown Expos]] ({{baseball year|1981}}), [[Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp|Jacksonville Suns]] ({{baseball year|1984}}), and [[Indianapolis Indians]] ({{baseball year|1985}}).<ref name="bbrefgalarragamin">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=galarr001and|title=Andres Galarraga Minor Leagues Statistics & History|date=2020|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> Galarraga was named [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Southern League (1964–2020)|Southern League]] [[Southern League Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] for Jacksonville in 1984,<ref name="SABRgalarraga">{{cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/4fa68f08|title=Andres Galarraga|date=April 1, 2018|last=Werner|first=Brian|publisher=[[SABR]]|work=SABR.org|access-date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> with a .289 [[Batting average (baseball)|batting average]], 27 [[home run]]s and 87 [[Run batted in|runs batted in]] (RBI).<ref name="bbrefgalarragamin"/> He also led the league in [[total bases]] (271), [[slugging percentage]] (.508), [[intentional base on balls]] (10), [[hit by pitch]]es (9), and in [[double plays]] (130) and [[total chances]] (1428) at [[First baseman|first base]].<ref name="bbrefgalarragamin"/> Prior to his major league promotion, Galarraga hit .269/25/85, in 121 games with Indianapolis,<ref name="bbrefgalarragamin"/> being named as the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[International League]] (IL) Rookie of the Year.<ref name="SABRgalarraga"/>
In the [[Minor league baseball|minors]], Galarraga played for [[Florida State League|West Palm Beach]] (1979, 1982-83), [[Calgary Outlaws|Calgary]] (1979-80), [[New York - Penn League|Jamestown]] (1981), [[Jacksonville Suns|Jacksonville]] (1984) and [[Indianapolis Indians|Indianapolis]] (1985).


===Montreal Expos (1985–1991)===
Galarraga earned Montreal job by being named Double-A [[Southern League]] [[MVP]] for Jacksonville in 1984, with .289 BA, 27 homeruns and 87 RBI. Also, he led the league in [[total bases]] (271), [[slugging percentage]] (.508), [[intentional base on balls]] (10), [[hit by pitch]]es (9), and in [[double play]]s (130) and [[total chances]] (1428) on first base. Prior to his majors promotion, he hit .269, 25, 85 with Indianapolis in 121 games, being named [[Rookie of the Year]] in the Triple-A [[International League]].
Galarraga made his debut with Montreal on August 23, 1985.<ref name="bbrefgalarragamaj"/> During that season's last six-plus weeks, he struggled, hitting .187 (14-for-75), with two homers, and four RBI, in 24 games. Galarraga had a promising start in {{baseball year|1986}}, but it was interrupted, when he suffered a knee injury; at the time, he had already posted eight home runs and was leading all NL rookies with 25 runs batted in. Galarraga underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, on July 10. He was activated one month later, only to be re-injured the following day after pulling muscles in his rib cage. Galarraga returned to action in September, ending with .271, 10 home runs, and 42 RBI, in 105 games.<ref name="bbrefgalarragamaj"/>


[[File:Phillies Phanatic5.jpg|thumb|left|Galarraga with the [[Phillie Phanatic]] in 1987]]
===Expos 1985-1991===
Overshadowed by some teammates, Galarraga survived a tough rookie year and quietly enjoyed a consistently strong {{baseball year|1987}} season. He hit .305 with 13 home runs, 90 RBI, and finishing second in the league in [[Double (baseball)|doubles]] (40). Despite his size, Galarraga displayed solid defense, being adept at scooping throws out of the dirt and excellent quickness turning the 3-6-3 double play. Cardinals' manager [[Whitey Herzog]] called him "the best-fielding right-handed first baseman I've seen since [[Gil Hodges]]."
The Big Cat made his debut with Montreal on August 23, [[1985 in sports|1985]]. He struggled on the way in, hitting .187 (14-for-75) with two homers and four RBI in 24 games. His promising start in 1986 was halted with a knee injury. Galarraga had eight homeruns and was leading all NL rookies in runs batted in (25) when he suffered a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery on July 10. He was activated one month later, only for to be re-disabled the following day after pulling muscles in his rib cage. He returned to action on September, ending with .271, 10, 42 in 105 games.


In {{baseball year|1988}}, Galarraga emerged from the shadows to become the best player on the Expos. He had an MVP-caliber season with a .302 batting average, 99 [[Run (baseball)|runs]], 29 home runs, and 92 RBI. Galarraga also led the league in [[Hit (baseball)|hits]] (184) and doubles (42), and earned an All-Star berth for the first time in his career.<ref name="bbrefgalarragamaj"/> He was named the [[Montreal Expos Player of the Year]] at the end of the season.
Overshadowed by some teammates, Galarraga survived tough rookie year and, quietly, he had a consistently 1987 season. He hit .305, 13, 90, finishing second in the league in doubles (40). Despite his size he displayed solid defense, being adept to scoop throws out of the dirt and excellent quickness turning the 3-6-3 double play. Cardinals' manager [[Whitey Herzog]] called him "the best-fielding right-handed first baseman I've seen since [[Gil Hodges]]."


In 1988 Galarraga emerged from the shadows to become the best player on the Expos. He had MVP-type season with a .302 of batting average, 99 runs, 92 RBI and 29 homeruns; led league in hits (184) and doubles (42), and earned an [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] berth for the first time. In 1989, Galarraga became target of Montreal fans' frustration when he tailed off after All-Star game. That year he led the league in strikeouts (158), dropping his production to .257, 23, 85. He fell five RBI short of becoming first Expo to string together three straight seasons with 90 or more runs batted in. In the mid-season, he blasted his first [[Home run|grand slam]] and also [[stolen base|stole]] home for first time in his career. Beside this, his stellar play in first base was rewarded with a [[Gold Glove]] award.
{{baseball year|1989}} was a rough season however for the Big Cat. Galarraga became a target of Montreal fans' frustration when he tailed off after the All-Star game. That year, Galarraga led the league in strikeouts (158), dropping his production to .257, 23 home runs, and 85 RBI. He fell five RBI short of becoming the first Expo to string together three straight seasons with 90 or more RBI. Despite the rough season, Galarraga blasted his first [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]], [[stolen base|stole]] home for the first time in his career, and was rewarded with a Gold Glove Award for his stellar play at first base.


Galarraga's 1990 season had Expos mumbling that the team should lower its expectations for the slick-fielding first baseman. For the second consecutive season, the Big Cat failed to repeat the standards he set in his first two full seasons. He hit .256 with 20 homeruns and 87 RBI, almost a mirror image of his previous season. For third consecutive year he led the league in strikeouts. Smart pitchers exploited his impatience at the plate and didn't give him good pitches to hit. Even without any improvement with the bat, Galarraga makes a tremendous contribution on the field, sccoping up infielder's errant throws, starting 3-6-3 double play, and going either to his right or his left. He won his second Gold Glove. In that season he had a six-RBI game, two four-RBI games, and hit his first career [[Inside-the-park home run|inside-the-park]] homer.
Galarraga's {{baseball year|1990}} season had Expos mumbling that the team should lower its expectations for the slick-fielding first baseman. For the second consecutive season, the Big Cat failed to repeat the standards he set in his first two full seasons. Galarraga hit .256 with 20 home runs and 87 RBI, almost a mirror image of his previous season. For the third consecutive year, he led the league in strikeouts; pitchers exploited Galarraga's impatience at the plate and didn't give him good pitches to hit. Even without any improvement with the bat, Galarraga continued to make tremendous contributions on the field, scooping up infielder's errant throws, starting 3-6-3 double plays, and winning his second Gold Glove. That season he also had a six-RBI game, two four-RBI games, and hit his first career [[inside-the-park home run]].


Slowed by injuries, Galarraga struggled through worst offensive season of his career in 1991. Disabled with strained left hamstring between May and July, later he had a new arthroscopic surgery to repair damage to undersurface of his left kneecap. Montreal missed his glove as much as his bat, committing 43 infield errors in 53 games without him. In that season Galarraga hit .219, 9, 33 in 107 games. He stole home for second time in his career and hit his 100th career homerun. At the end of the season he was traded to the Cardinals.
Slowed by injuries, Galarraga struggled through the worst offensive season of his career in {{baseball year|1991}}. Disabled with a strained left hamstring between May and July, he later had arthroscopic surgery to repair damage to the undersurface of his left kneecap. Montreal missed Galarraga's glove as much as his bat, committing 43 infield [[Error (baseball)|errors]] in 53 games without him. That season, Galarraga hit .219, 9 home runs, and 33 RBI, in 107 games. He stole home for the second time in his career and hit his 100th career home run. At the end of the season, Galarraga was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for starting pitcher [[Ken Hill (baseball)|Ken Hill]].


===Cardinals: 1992===
===St. Louis Cardinals (1992)===
Galarraga had a second chance with St. Louis. But early in the year a pitch broke his wrist and he didn't recover until July. He batted .296 after the All-Star break and hit all ten of his homers after July 1st for a .497 second-half slugging percentage. He finished with a .243 BA and 39 RBI, but made a good impression on Cardinals batting coach [[Don Baylor]]. When Baylor became the first Rockies manager in off-season, he recommended that Colorado take a chance on Galarraga and sign him as a free agent. And The Big Cat got a new life in his career.
Galarraga had a second chance with the {{baseball year|1992}} Cardinals; however, a pitch broke his wrist early in the season and he didn't recover until July. Galarraga batted .296 after the All-Star break and hit all ten of his homers after July 1 for a .497 second-half slugging percentage. He finished with a .243 batting average and 39 RBI, but made a good impression on Cardinals batting coach [[Don Baylor]]. When Baylor became the first Rockies manager in the off-season, he recommended that Colorado take a chance on Galarraga and sign him as a [[free agent]].


===Rockies: 1993-1997===
===Colorado Rockies (1993–1997)===
====National League batting champion (1993)====
In a 1993 season full of remarkable individual achievements, Galarraga flirted with the .400 mark for a while. His final .370 BA was an amazing 127-point increase over his previous year mark, leading the National League batters, and was the highest average by a right-handed hitter since [[Joe DiMaggio]] batted .381 in [[1939 in sports|1939]].
[[File:Gato96.png|thumb|upright|right|Galarraga with the Rockies in 1996]]
By joining the Rockies, Galarraga was given new life for his career. In a {{baseball year|1993}} season full of remarkable individual achievements, he solidified his stature as an accomplished hitter, and flirted with the .400 mark for much of the season. Galarraga's final .370 batting average was a 127-point increase over his previous year mark. He led National League batters in batting average, and it was the highest average by a right-handed hitter since [[Joe DiMaggio]] batted .381 in {{Baseball year|1939}}.<ref name=library/>


Despite missing 42 games with assorted injuries, The Big Cat compiled 56 multi-hit games to lead the league. He added 22 homers, 98 RBI, 71 runs, 35 doubles, four triples, a .403 [[on base percentage]], and his .602 slugging percentage was second in the league. His .370 mark also is highest average ever by a [[Hispanic American]] player, while becoming the first player on an expansion team as well as the first [[Venezuela|Venezuelan]] to win a batting title. [[Tony Gwynn]] hit .358 to finish as runner-up in the title race.
Despite missing 42 games with assorted injuries, The Big Cat compiled 56 multi-hit games to lead the league. He added 22 homers, 98 RBI, 71 runs, 35 doubles, four [[Triple (baseball)|triples]], a .403 [[on-base percentage]], and his .602 [[slugging percentage]] was second in the league. Galarraga's .370 mark made him the first player on an expansion team as well as the first Venezuelan to win a batting title. [[Tony Gwynn]] hit .358 to finish as runner-up in the title race. Galarraga finished 10th in the MVP selection, but won ''[[The Sporting News]]'' [[MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award|Comeback Player of the Year Award]]. After the season, and for third time, he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. In the strike-shortened {{baseball year|1994}} season, Galarraga set a new National League record in April by driving in 30 runs in a month. He seemed to be on his way to a terrific year again, but he fractured his right hand on July 28. At the time of Galarraga's injury, Colorado had climbed to within a half-game of the first place [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]. Without him however, the Rockies went 3–10 the rest of the way. Galarraga paced the club with 31 homers (fifth in the league), and batted .319 with 85 RBI.


On June 25, [[1995 Colorado Rockies season|1995]], Galarraga hit a home run in three consecutive innings to tie an MLB record. He finished the season hitting .280, with 31 homers, and 106 RBI. Galarraga's numbers were helped by the fact that he stayed healthy for the first time in four years. That season, the Rockies had four players with 30 or more home runs, matching the {{baseball year|1977}} Dodgers. On August 29 of the same season, in a game against the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], Galarraga spoiled [[Paul Wagner]]'s bid for a [[no-hitter]], by [[Single (baseball)|singling]] with two out in the ninth; it was the only hit Wagner would allow in defeating the Rockies 4–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT199508290.shtml|title=Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score|date=August 29, 1995|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=February 5, 2020}}</ref>
Galarraga's improvement began when Baylor drastically opened up his stance to make him quicker on inside pitches. The new stance also helped Galarraga generate more power to the opposite field. At the same time, facing the pitcher with two eyes gave him a better view at pitches, lowering his strikeout rate and making him much more consistent at the plate with a better contact. Galarraga finished 10th in the MVP selection, but won [[The Sporting News]] Comeback Player of the Year Award. After the season, and for third time, he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.


Over the next few seasons, Galarraga developed into one of the best RBI-men in baseball, driving in a combined 411 runs between {{baseball year|1996}} and {{baseball year|1998}} (150, 140, and 121). In the same period, he batted .304, .318, and .305, with 47, 41, and 44 home runs, respectively. Some critics argued that Galarraga's achievements were possible thanks to the thin-air, mile-high, hitter-friendly [[Coors Field]], but he also belted many homers on the road that traveled over {{convert|450|ft|m}}.
In the strike shortened [[1994 in sports|1994]] season, Galarraga set a new National League record in April by driving in 30 runs in a month. He seemed to be on his way to a terrific year again, when he fractured his right hand on July 28. At this time, Colorado had climbed to within a half-game of first place [[Los Angeles Dodgers|Dodgers]]. Without him, the Rockies went 3-10 the rest of the way. Galarraga paced club with 31 homers (fifth in the league), and batted .319 with 85 RBI.


====NL RBI leader (1997)====
On June 25, [[1995 in sports|1995]], Galarraga hit three homeruns in three consecutive innings to tie a MLB record. He finished with .280, 31 homers and 106 RBI. Numbers were helped by fact he stayed healthy for first time in four years. In that season the Rockies had four players with 30 or more homeruns, matching the [[1977 in sports|1977]] Dodgers. Over the next seasons, Galarraga developed into one of the best RBI men in baseball, driving in a combined 396 runs between 1996 and 1998 (106, 150, 140). In the same period he batted .279, .303 and .318, with 31, 47, and 41 HRs. Some critics argued that his achievements were possible thanks to the thin-air, mile-high, hitter-friendly [[Coors Field]]. But Galarraga belted many homers on the road that travelled over 450-foot. In the '97 season he hit a mammoth homerun off [[Kevin Brown]]; a grand slam that landed 20 rows deep in the upper deck at [[Florida Marlins|Marlins]]' [[Pro Player Stadium]] and was alternately measured at 573 and 529 feet. Previously, he smashed two homers in two games that traveled 455-foot and 451-foot respectively, totalizing 1,435 feet, an average of 478 feet each.
Perhaps the most famous home run Galarraga hit was a mammoth [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] off [[Kevin Brown (right-handed pitcher)|Kevin Brown]] on May 31, [[1997 Colorado Rockies season|1997]], which landed 20 rows deep into the upper deck at [[1997 Florida Marlins season|Florida Marlins]]' [[Hard Rock Stadium|Pro Player Stadium]]. It may also be his most debated home run with a distance initially measured at {{convert|573|ft|m}} and then {{convert|529|ft|m}}. At the time, it set a record for both the Rockies and the stadium.<ref name=library/> In 2011, [[ESPN]]'s Home Run Tracker recalculated the distance to {{convert|468|ft|m}}.<ref name=library/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2015/06/13/rockies-legend-andres-galarraga-talks-about-his-famous-homer-vs-marlins-2/amp|title=Rockies legend Andres Galarraga talks about his famous homer vs. Marlins|date=June 13, 2015|last=Renck|first=Troy|publisher=[[The Denver Post]]|work=denverpost.com|access-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref> But in 2017, the Baseball Research Journal published an analysis by Jose L. Lopez PhD, and Oscar A. Lopez PhD—professors of Engineering at the Central University of Venezuela—that concluded that Galarraga's home run travelled between 517.5 and 529.4 feet.<ref name="sabranalysis">{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Jose L. |date=1997-05-31 |title=Analysis of Andrés Galarraga's Home Run of May 31, 1997 |url=https://sabr.org/journal/article/analysis-of-andres-galarragas-home-run-of-may-31-1997/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref> This makes Galarraga's May 31, 1997 grand slam one of the few pre-Statcast home runs to be proven to have exceeded 500 feet.<ref name="sabranalysis" /> Previously, Galarraga smashed two homers in two games that traveled {{convert|455|ft|m|adj=on}} and {{convert|451|ft|m|adj=on}} respectively, totaling {{convert|1435|ft|m}}, an average of {{convert|478|ft|m}} each.


A free agent at the end of the season, Galarraga signed a 3-year contract with Atlanta.
The Rockies released Galarraga at the end of the season to make room at first base for prospect [[Todd Helton]]. At the time of his release, Galarraga was the club's all-time leader in home runs (172) and RBI (579). As a free agent, he signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.


===Braves: 1998, 2000===
===Atlanta Braves (1998–2000)===
In Galarraga's first season in Atlanta (1998), he hit .305, with 44 home runs, and 121 RBI. This made him the first player in MLB history to hit 40 or more homers in consecutive seasons for two different teams. During {{baseball year|1999}} [[spring training]], Galarraga developed a sore back. Treatment from the team's trainers and team doctor included hydrobaths, massages, muscle relaxers, and stretching, but would not stop the nagging soreness. Galarraga was referred to a medical oncologist in Atlanta for a thorough physical exam and an MRI. On the second lumbar vertebra in his lower back, Galarraga had a tumor known as [[non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]], a form of [[lymphedema|lymphatic cancer]]. He missed the entire 1999 season receiving [[chemotherapy]] treatments. Rockies third baseman and ex-teammate [[Vinny Castilla]] switched briefly from his traditional number 9 to number 14 on his jersey, to honor Galarraga's cancer fight.
In his first season in Atlanta Galarraga silenced his critics. He proved that he could still produce great power numbers in lower altitudes, hitting .305 with 44 homeruns and 121 RBI.


In Spring {{baseball year|2000}}, Galarraga returned to the field after undergoing chemotherapy and a strict workout routine. In his third at-bat of opening day of the 2000 season, Galarraga knocked in the winning run with a home run. In April and May, he was tied for first place in home runs in the National League and he was batting .300. At the end of the season, Galarraga had batted .302, with 28 home runs, and 100 RBI. He was awarded his second National League Comeback Player of the Year Award by ''The Sporting News''. Galarraga asked the Braves’ ownership for a two-year contract, but the most that it would offer was a one-year contract. Hence, he decided to become a free agent, and signed with the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]], who were willing to offer Galarraga the contract for two years that he sought.
During 1999 spring training, Galarraga developed a sore back. Hydrobaths, massages, muscle relaxers and stretching would not stop the nagging soreness. He was referred to a medical oncologist at Atlanta for a through physical exam and an MRI. When the diagnosis came in, it stopped the famous Galarraga smile. On his second lumbar vertebra in his lower back he had a tumor known as [[Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]], a form of [[Lymphedema|lymphatic cancer]]. He missed the entire season while undergoing treatment.


===Rangers, Giants, and Expos (2001–2003)===
Fortunately, slugger Galarraga returned to the field in high spirits and good form after undergoing chemotheraphy and a strict workout routine. In his third at-bat of the Opening Day in the [[2000 in sports|2000]] season, Galarraga knocked the winning run with a homerun and showed his smile again. In April and May, he was tied for first place in home runs in the National League and was batting .300. Galarraga finished his comeback campaign hitting .302 with 28 HRs and 100 RBI, and even played in the All-Star Game in front of the home fans at [[Turner Field]].
The change of baseball leagues affected Galarraga badly in {{baseball year|2001}}. At age 40, he found himself "lost" in a different league, facing different pitchers, and stuck in a back-up position with the star [[Rafael Palmeiro]] as the main first baseman for the Texas Rangers. Galarraga was used mainly as a [[designated hitter]] (DH), as a [[pinch hitter (baseball)|pinch-hitter]], and occasionally as a starter against left-handed pitchers. After a disappointing .235 batting average, 10 home runs, and 34 RBI, in 72 games, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants, at mid-season.


In {{baseball year|2002}}, Galarraga signed with the Expos for the full season. He then returned to the Giants in {{baseball year|2003}}, after signing a minor league contract, prior to the season. As a part-time player with the Giants, Galarraga batted .301, with 12 home runs, and 42 RBI.
A free agent after the season, Galarraga signed with the Rangers.


===Anaheim Angels (2004)===
===Rangers, Giants and Expos: 2001-2003===
In {{baseball year|2004}}, Galarraga's cancer recurred and he underwent two three-week periods of chemotherapy and was hospitalized for 23 days for additional treatment. This was the same non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that had sidelined Galarraga in 1999, but he beat it for the second time and began play with the Anaheim Angels' Triple-A affiliate, the [[Salt Lake Bees|Salt Lake Stingers]]. When rosters were expanded in September, Galarraga came back to the major leagues. Although he served mostly as a [[Substitution (sport)|bench player]] in Anaheim, Galarraga was highly regarded in the clubhouse, especially among younger players such as [[Vladimir Guerrero]], for whom Galarraga became a voice of experience. He saw action in a few games, hitting one home run — the 399th and final home run of Galarraga's storied big league career.
The change of scenery affected the hot-hitting Galarraga. At 40, he found himself lost in a new league, facing different pitchers, and specially, with star [[Rafael Palmeiro]] as the incumbent first baseman for the Rangers. Galarraga was used basically as [[DH]], [[Pinch hitter (baseball)|pinch-hitter]] and occasional starter against left-handed pitchers. After his disappointed .235, 10 homers, 34 RBI numbers in 72 games, he was traded to the Giants in the mid-season. Then, Galarraga signed with Montreal in 2002 and returned to the Giants in 2003, when he signed a minor league contract before the season. As a part-time player with San Francisco, he batted .301 (82-272) with 12 HRs and 42 RBI.


===New York Mets (2005)===
==Statistics==
[[File:Andres Galarraga's Last Game (109896603) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Galarraga (right) with the Mets during spring training in 2005]]
In 18 seasons, Galarraga compiled a .288 BA with 398 homeruns, 1423 RBI, 1194 runs, 2330 hits, 444 doubles, 32 triples, and 128 stolen bases in 2250 games.
In {{baseball year|2005}}, Galarraga again found himself with a new team, the [[New York Mets]], who had invited him to spring training, not knowing if the 43-year-old would be a good fit for their roster. Galarraga showed that he had some gas left in the tank offensively by socking three home runs, but appeared very tentative on the defensive end. Galarraga eventually retired during spring training on March 29, 2005, saying it was "the right time to give a younger guy a chance to play."<ref>{{cite news |title=Notebook: Galarraga retires with 399 homers |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/notebook-galarraga-retires-with-399-homers/ |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=30 March 2005}}</ref> He finished his career with a .288 batting average, 399 home runs, and 1,425 RBI. Galarraga ranked 36th all-time in career home runs at the time of his retirement.


==Highlights==
==Highlights==
* Led National League in Hits (184 in 1988)
* 5-time All-Star (1988, 1993, 1997-98, 2000)
* Led league in batting average (1993)
* Led National League in Total Bases (329 in 1988)
* Led league in homeruns (1996)
* Led National League in Doubles (42 in 1988)
* Led league in runs batted in (1996-97)
* Led National League in Runs Created (113 in 1988)
* Led league in hits (1988)
* Led National League in Extra-Base Hits (79 in 1988)
* Led league in doubles (1988)
* Led National League in Batting average (.370 in 1993)
* Led league in total bases (1988)
* Led National League in Home Runs (47 in 1996)
* Twice led National League in RBIs (150 in 1996 and 140 in 1997)
* Twice Gold Glove Award (1989-90)
* Ranks 69th on MLB All-Time Total Bases List (4,038)
* 6-time Top 10 MLB Award (1988, 1993-94, 1996-98)
* Ranks 83rd on MLB All-Time Doubles List (444)
* Twice named by The Sporting News for the [[NL]] [[Silver Slugger]] team (1988, 1996)
* Ranks 43rd on MLB All-Time Home Run List (399)
* Named by The Sporting News for the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award (1993)
* Ranks 57th on MLB All-Time RBI List (1,425)
* Twice led league first basemen in double plays and total chances (1995-96)
* Ranks 58th on MLB All-Time Extra-Base Hits List (875)
* Led league first basemen in [[putout]]s (1995)
* Ranks 95th on MLB All-Time Intentional Walks List (106)
* Was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 (first Rockies Baseball Player to be inducted)
* Best Comeback Athlete ESPY Award 2001 (Atlanta Braves)
* The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award winner 1993 (Colorado Rockies) 2001 (Atlanta Braves)
* First Rockies player ever represented at All-Star Game (1993)
* Rockies Career Leader in At Bats per Home Runs with 15.5.
* His 150 RBI season in 1996 is still a single season record for the Rockies.<ref name="bbrefCOLleaders">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/leaders_bat_season.shtml|title=Colorado Rockies Top 10 Single-Season Batting Leaders|date=2020|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=February 5, 2020}}</ref>
* Won the three [[Major League Baseball Triple Crown|Triple Crown]] categories ([[Baseball statistics|BA, HR, RBI]]) although in different seasons
* Set Rockies record for RBI before the All-Star break (84 in 1997)
* Became the first player in history to win two NL Comeback Player of the Year Awards
* Honored in the [[docudrama|docudrama movie]] ''Galarraga: puro béisbol'' (''Galarraga: Nothing But Baseball'' – Venezuela, 2000)
* Honored in the book ''Andrés Galarraga – Real Life Reader Biography'', by writer Sue Boulais (2003)
* Gained induction into the [[Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum]] (2010)


==Miscellaneous notes==
==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|Venezuela}}
* First Rockies' player ever represented at All-Star Game (1993)
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* First Rockies' player to have a field refurbished and named in his honor, when ''Andres Galarraga Field'' opened at the ''Denver Boys & Girls Club''
* [[List of athletes on Wheaties boxes]]
* Only active player that has won the three [[Triple crown (baseball)|triple crown]] stats ([[Baseball statistics|BA, HR, RBI]]) although in different seasons
* [[List of Colorado Rockies team records]]
* Set Rockies' record for RBIs before the All-Star break (84, 1997)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders]]
* Honored in the [[docudrama|docudrama movie]] ''Galarraga: puro béisbol'' (''Galarraga: Nothing But Baseball'' - Venezuela, 2000)
* [[List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders]]
* Honored in the book ''Andres Galarraga - Real Life Reader Biography'', by writer Sue Boulais (2003)
* [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career putouts leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders]]
* [[Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum]]
{{div col end}}


==References==
==Big Cat quotations==
{{Reflist}}
* ''I don't like the record. You can have it.'' - After being hit by pitch an Atlanta team record 21 times.

* ''I thought when I first heard the word 'cancer' that I was going to die the next day. The next hardest thing then became how to tell my wife and my three daughters'' - After the diagnosis.

* ''The attention helped. I think the three main pillars of support to me during those painful treatments were my faith in God, my family and the medicine modern science has today.'' - Before his treatments were concluded, in late September, 1999.

==News==
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 (AP)
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Andres Galarraga has beaten cancer for a second time and is hoping to get back to the major leagues.

Galarraga said Tuesday that he recently underwent two three-week periods of chemotherapy and was hospitalized for 23 days for additional treatment for the same non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that sidelined him in 1999 when he was with the Atlanta Braves.

"It was very difficult. I had a lot of nausea," he said. "But I always was optimistic. ... Thank God it worked, and I feel better than ever."

He said he was pronounced fit last week after a checkup at a Chicago medical facility.

"The news was excellent," he said.

Beaming and looking healthy at a news conference, the 42-year-old Galarraga said wants to get back to the majors so he can reach 400 home runs. In 18 seasons, Galarraga has 398 homers. The first baseman known as "The Big Cat" hit .301 last season with 12 home runs and 42 RBI for the San Francisco Giants. He also played for Montreal, St. Louis, Colorado, Atlanta and Texas during his career.

"I will play for anyone to get the home runs I need to reach 400," he said.


==External links==
==External links==
*{{baseballstats|mlb=114526|espn=1659|br=g/galaran01|fangraphs=1390|brm=galarr001and|retro=G/Pgalaa001}}
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=3774 2004 statistics at ''ESPN'']
*{{SABR Baseball Biography Project|4fa68f08}}
*[https://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/art_hr.shtml Andrés Galarraga] at Baseball Almanac
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050714080337/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_9_224/ai_60026772 Smiles and homers are plenty—the Big Cat is back - Andres Galarraga, baseball player] ''The Sporting News''


{{s-start|header={{s-ach}}}}
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/galaran01.shtml Page at ''Baseball Reference'']
{{succession box | before = [[Jeff Bagwell]]<br />[[Tony Gwynn]] | title = [[Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award|National League Player of the Month]]| years = June 1993<br />September 1993| after = [[Fred McGriff]]<br />[[Ellis Burks]]}}
{{s-end}}


{{Southern League MVP}}
* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/G/Galarraga_Andres.stm Page at ''Baseball Library'']
{{NL batting title}}
{{NL home run champions}}
{{NL RBI champions}}
{{NL Comeback Players of the Year}}
{{NL 1B Silver Slugger Award}}
{{NL First Baseman Gold Glove Award}}
{{ESPY Comeback Athlete}}
{{Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame}}
{{Venezuela roster 2009 World Baseball Classic}}
{{Venezuela roster 2013 World Baseball Classic}}


* [http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_9_224/ai_60026772 ''Conducts of Life'' - Article at ''The Sporting News'']

* [http://www.stariq.com/pagetemplate/article-printer.asp?pageid=1209 ''The Big Cat is Back'' - Article at ''Stars IQ'']

* [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/art_hr.shtml Long Distance Home Runs at ''Baseball Almanac]
==See also==
* [[List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball]]


{{Authority control}}
* [[MLB players who have hit 3 home runs in consecutive innings|List of players who have hit 3 home runs in consecutive innings]]


[[Category:Baseball players|Galarraga, Andres]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Galarraga, Andres}}
[[Category:Venezuela|Galarraga, Andres]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Anaheim Angels players]]
[[Category:Atlanta Braves players]]
[[Category:Calgary Expos players]]
[[Category:Colorado Rockies players]]
[[Category:Gold Glove Award winners]]
[[Category:Indianapolis Indians players]]
[[Category:Jacksonville Suns players]]
[[Category:Jamestown Expos players]]
[[Category:Leones del Caracas players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Louisville Redbirds players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball first basemen]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players from Venezuela]]
[[Category:Montreal Expos players]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:National League batting champions]]
[[Category:National League home run champions]]
[[Category:National League RBI champions]]
[[Category:Salt Lake Stingers players]]
[[Category:San Francisco Giants players]]
[[Category:Silver Slugger Award winners]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Caracas]]
[[Category:Baseball players from West Palm Beach, Florida]]
[[Category:St. Louis Cardinals players]]
[[Category:Texas Rangers players]]
[[Category:Venezuela national baseball team people]]
[[Category:Venezuelan baseball coaches]]
[[Category:Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
[[Category:Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the United States]]
[[Category:West Palm Beach Expos players]]
[[Category:20th-century Venezuelan sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 07:29, 1 June 2025

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Padovani and the second or maternal family name is Galarraga.
Andrés Galarraga
Galarraga with the Expos in 2002
First baseman
Born: (1961-06-18) June 18, 1961 (age 63)
Caracas, Venezuela
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 23, 1985, for the Montreal Expos
Last MLB appearance
October 3, 2004, for the Anaheim Angels
MLB statistics
Batting average.288
Hits2,333
Home runs399
Runs batted in1,425
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Member of the Venezuelan
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction2010

Andrés José Padovani Galarraga (Spanish: [anˈdɾes ɣalaˈraɣa]; born June 18, 1961) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball first baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Montreal Expos (1985–1991 and 2002), St. Louis Cardinals (1992), Colorado Rockies (1993–1997), Atlanta Braves (1998–2000), Texas Rangers (2001), San Francisco Giants (2001 and 2003) and Anaheim Angels (2004). He batted and threw right-handed. During his playing days, Galarraga stood 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall, weighing 235 pounds (107 kg).[1]

Galarraga began his professional career in Venezuela at the age of 16. He was nicknamed "the Big Cat" (textually translated from English as El Gran Gato, although his nickname in his native Venezuela was El Gato) for his impressively quick reflexes and seamless defensive skills as a first baseman despite his large physical size. Galarraga was a five-time National League (NL) All-Star, won two NL Gold Glove Awards and two NL Silver Slugger Awards, and won two MLB Comeback Player of the Year Awards, the second time after his successful return to baseball following cancer treatment.

Career

[edit]

Venezuelan Winter League

[edit]

Galarraga was signed by the Leones del Caracas as a catcher and third baseman. He made his debut in the 1978–1979 season. Some of the players Galarraga had as teammates included big-leaguers Tony Armas, Bo Díaz, Manny Trillo, Gonzalo Márquez, and Leo Hernández. Galarraga originally started as a utility player, but three seasons later he became the regular first baseman of the team. At the recommendation of team manager Felipe Alou, he was signed by the Expos in 1979.[2] At the time, some MLB scouts thought the 17-year-old power-hitting prodigy was too overweight to play professionally. Galarraga played with this team until 1993, when he retired from Venezuelan Winter League.

Minor leagues

[edit]

In Minor League Baseball (MiLB), Galarraga played for the West Palm Beach Expos (1979, 1982–1983), Calgary Expos (1979–1980), Jamestown Expos (1981), Jacksonville Suns (1984), and Indianapolis Indians (1985).[3] Galarraga was named Double-A Southern League Most Valuable Player for Jacksonville in 1984,[4] with a .289 batting average, 27 home runs and 87 runs batted in (RBI).[3] He also led the league in total bases (271), slugging percentage (.508), intentional base on balls (10), hit by pitches (9), and in double plays (130) and total chances (1428) at first base.[3] Prior to his major league promotion, Galarraga hit .269/25/85, in 121 games with Indianapolis,[3] being named as the Triple-A International League (IL) Rookie of the Year.[4]

Montreal Expos (1985–1991)

[edit]

Galarraga made his debut with Montreal on August 23, 1985.[1] During that season's last six-plus weeks, he struggled, hitting .187 (14-for-75), with two homers, and four RBI, in 24 games. Galarraga had a promising start in 1986, but it was interrupted, when he suffered a knee injury; at the time, he had already posted eight home runs and was leading all NL rookies with 25 runs batted in. Galarraga underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, on July 10. He was activated one month later, only to be re-injured the following day after pulling muscles in his rib cage. Galarraga returned to action in September, ending with .271, 10 home runs, and 42 RBI, in 105 games.[1]

Galarraga with the Phillie Phanatic in 1987

Overshadowed by some teammates, Galarraga survived a tough rookie year and quietly enjoyed a consistently strong 1987 season. He hit .305 with 13 home runs, 90 RBI, and finishing second in the league in doubles (40). Despite his size, Galarraga displayed solid defense, being adept at scooping throws out of the dirt and excellent quickness turning the 3-6-3 double play. Cardinals' manager Whitey Herzog called him "the best-fielding right-handed first baseman I've seen since Gil Hodges."

In 1988, Galarraga emerged from the shadows to become the best player on the Expos. He had an MVP-caliber season with a .302 batting average, 99 runs, 29 home runs, and 92 RBI. Galarraga also led the league in hits (184) and doubles (42), and earned an All-Star berth for the first time in his career.[1] He was named the Montreal Expos Player of the Year at the end of the season.

1989 was a rough season however for the Big Cat. Galarraga became a target of Montreal fans' frustration when he tailed off after the All-Star game. That year, Galarraga led the league in strikeouts (158), dropping his production to .257, 23 home runs, and 85 RBI. He fell five RBI short of becoming the first Expo to string together three straight seasons with 90 or more RBI. Despite the rough season, Galarraga blasted his first grand slam, stole home for the first time in his career, and was rewarded with a Gold Glove Award for his stellar play at first base.

Galarraga's 1990 season had Expos mumbling that the team should lower its expectations for the slick-fielding first baseman. For the second consecutive season, the Big Cat failed to repeat the standards he set in his first two full seasons. Galarraga hit .256 with 20 home runs and 87 RBI, almost a mirror image of his previous season. For the third consecutive year, he led the league in strikeouts; pitchers exploited Galarraga's impatience at the plate and didn't give him good pitches to hit. Even without any improvement with the bat, Galarraga continued to make tremendous contributions on the field, scooping up infielder's errant throws, starting 3-6-3 double plays, and winning his second Gold Glove. That season he also had a six-RBI game, two four-RBI games, and hit his first career inside-the-park home run.

Slowed by injuries, Galarraga struggled through the worst offensive season of his career in 1991. Disabled with a strained left hamstring between May and July, he later had arthroscopic surgery to repair damage to the undersurface of his left kneecap. Montreal missed Galarraga's glove as much as his bat, committing 43 infield errors in 53 games without him. That season, Galarraga hit .219, 9 home runs, and 33 RBI, in 107 games. He stole home for the second time in his career and hit his 100th career home run. At the end of the season, Galarraga was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for starting pitcher Ken Hill.

St. Louis Cardinals (1992)

[edit]

Galarraga had a second chance with the 1992 Cardinals; however, a pitch broke his wrist early in the season and he didn't recover until July. Galarraga batted .296 after the All-Star break and hit all ten of his homers after July 1 for a .497 second-half slugging percentage. He finished with a .243 batting average and 39 RBI, but made a good impression on Cardinals batting coach Don Baylor. When Baylor became the first Rockies manager in the off-season, he recommended that Colorado take a chance on Galarraga and sign him as a free agent.

Colorado Rockies (1993–1997)

[edit]

National League batting champion (1993)

[edit]
Galarraga with the Rockies in 1996

By joining the Rockies, Galarraga was given new life for his career. In a 1993 season full of remarkable individual achievements, he solidified his stature as an accomplished hitter, and flirted with the .400 mark for much of the season. Galarraga's final .370 batting average was a 127-point increase over his previous year mark. He led National League batters in batting average, and it was the highest average by a right-handed hitter since Joe DiMaggio batted .381 in 1939.[2]

Despite missing 42 games with assorted injuries, The Big Cat compiled 56 multi-hit games to lead the league. He added 22 homers, 98 RBI, 71 runs, 35 doubles, four triples, a .403 on-base percentage, and his .602 slugging percentage was second in the league. Galarraga's .370 mark made him the first player on an expansion team as well as the first Venezuelan to win a batting title. Tony Gwynn hit .358 to finish as runner-up in the title race. Galarraga finished 10th in the MVP selection, but won The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award. After the season, and for third time, he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. In the strike-shortened 1994 season, Galarraga set a new National League record in April by driving in 30 runs in a month. He seemed to be on his way to a terrific year again, but he fractured his right hand on July 28. At the time of Galarraga's injury, Colorado had climbed to within a half-game of the first place Los Angeles Dodgers. Without him however, the Rockies went 3–10 the rest of the way. Galarraga paced the club with 31 homers (fifth in the league), and batted .319 with 85 RBI.

On June 25, 1995, Galarraga hit a home run in three consecutive innings to tie an MLB record. He finished the season hitting .280, with 31 homers, and 106 RBI. Galarraga's numbers were helped by the fact that he stayed healthy for the first time in four years. That season, the Rockies had four players with 30 or more home runs, matching the 1977 Dodgers. On August 29 of the same season, in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Galarraga spoiled Paul Wagner's bid for a no-hitter, by singling with two out in the ninth; it was the only hit Wagner would allow in defeating the Rockies 4–0.[5]

Over the next few seasons, Galarraga developed into one of the best RBI-men in baseball, driving in a combined 411 runs between 1996 and 1998 (150, 140, and 121). In the same period, he batted .304, .318, and .305, with 47, 41, and 44 home runs, respectively. Some critics argued that Galarraga's achievements were possible thanks to the thin-air, mile-high, hitter-friendly Coors Field, but he also belted many homers on the road that traveled over 450 feet (140 m).

NL RBI leader (1997)

[edit]

Perhaps the most famous home run Galarraga hit was a mammoth grand slam off Kevin Brown on May 31, 1997, which landed 20 rows deep into the upper deck at Florida Marlins' Pro Player Stadium. It may also be his most debated home run with a distance initially measured at 573 feet (175 m) and then 529 feet (161 m). At the time, it set a record for both the Rockies and the stadium.[2] In 2011, ESPN's Home Run Tracker recalculated the distance to 468 feet (143 m).[2][6] But in 2017, the Baseball Research Journal published an analysis by Jose L. Lopez PhD, and Oscar A. Lopez PhD—professors of Engineering at the Central University of Venezuela—that concluded that Galarraga's home run travelled between 517.5 and 529.4 feet.[7] This makes Galarraga's May 31, 1997 grand slam one of the few pre-Statcast home runs to be proven to have exceeded 500 feet.[7] Previously, Galarraga smashed two homers in two games that traveled 455-foot (139 m) and 451-foot (137 m) respectively, totaling 1,435 feet (437 m), an average of 478 feet (146 m) each.

The Rockies released Galarraga at the end of the season to make room at first base for prospect Todd Helton. At the time of his release, Galarraga was the club's all-time leader in home runs (172) and RBI (579). As a free agent, he signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.

Atlanta Braves (1998–2000)

[edit]

In Galarraga's first season in Atlanta (1998), he hit .305, with 44 home runs, and 121 RBI. This made him the first player in MLB history to hit 40 or more homers in consecutive seasons for two different teams. During 1999 spring training, Galarraga developed a sore back. Treatment from the team's trainers and team doctor included hydrobaths, massages, muscle relaxers, and stretching, but would not stop the nagging soreness. Galarraga was referred to a medical oncologist in Atlanta for a thorough physical exam and an MRI. On the second lumbar vertebra in his lower back, Galarraga had a tumor known as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of lymphatic cancer. He missed the entire 1999 season receiving chemotherapy treatments. Rockies third baseman and ex-teammate Vinny Castilla switched briefly from his traditional number 9 to number 14 on his jersey, to honor Galarraga's cancer fight.

In Spring 2000, Galarraga returned to the field after undergoing chemotherapy and a strict workout routine. In his third at-bat of opening day of the 2000 season, Galarraga knocked in the winning run with a home run. In April and May, he was tied for first place in home runs in the National League and he was batting .300. At the end of the season, Galarraga had batted .302, with 28 home runs, and 100 RBI. He was awarded his second National League Comeback Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News. Galarraga asked the Braves’ ownership for a two-year contract, but the most that it would offer was a one-year contract. Hence, he decided to become a free agent, and signed with the Texas Rangers, who were willing to offer Galarraga the contract for two years that he sought.

Rangers, Giants, and Expos (2001–2003)

[edit]

The change of baseball leagues affected Galarraga badly in 2001. At age 40, he found himself "lost" in a different league, facing different pitchers, and stuck in a back-up position with the star Rafael Palmeiro as the main first baseman for the Texas Rangers. Galarraga was used mainly as a designated hitter (DH), as a pinch-hitter, and occasionally as a starter against left-handed pitchers. After a disappointing .235 batting average, 10 home runs, and 34 RBI, in 72 games, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants, at mid-season.

In 2002, Galarraga signed with the Expos for the full season. He then returned to the Giants in 2003, after signing a minor league contract, prior to the season. As a part-time player with the Giants, Galarraga batted .301, with 12 home runs, and 42 RBI.

Anaheim Angels (2004)

[edit]

In 2004, Galarraga's cancer recurred and he underwent two three-week periods of chemotherapy and was hospitalized for 23 days for additional treatment. This was the same non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that had sidelined Galarraga in 1999, but he beat it for the second time and began play with the Anaheim Angels' Triple-A affiliate, the Salt Lake Stingers. When rosters were expanded in September, Galarraga came back to the major leagues. Although he served mostly as a bench player in Anaheim, Galarraga was highly regarded in the clubhouse, especially among younger players such as Vladimir Guerrero, for whom Galarraga became a voice of experience. He saw action in a few games, hitting one home run — the 399th and final home run of Galarraga's storied big league career.

New York Mets (2005)

[edit]
Galarraga (right) with the Mets during spring training in 2005

In 2005, Galarraga again found himself with a new team, the New York Mets, who had invited him to spring training, not knowing if the 43-year-old would be a good fit for their roster. Galarraga showed that he had some gas left in the tank offensively by socking three home runs, but appeared very tentative on the defensive end. Galarraga eventually retired during spring training on March 29, 2005, saying it was "the right time to give a younger guy a chance to play."[8] He finished his career with a .288 batting average, 399 home runs, and 1,425 RBI. Galarraga ranked 36th all-time in career home runs at the time of his retirement.

Highlights

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  • Led National League in Hits (184 in 1988)
  • Led National League in Total Bases (329 in 1988)
  • Led National League in Doubles (42 in 1988)
  • Led National League in Runs Created (113 in 1988)
  • Led National League in Extra-Base Hits (79 in 1988)
  • Led National League in Batting average (.370 in 1993)
  • Led National League in Home Runs (47 in 1996)
  • Twice led National League in RBIs (150 in 1996 and 140 in 1997)
  • Ranks 69th on MLB All-Time Total Bases List (4,038)
  • Ranks 83rd on MLB All-Time Doubles List (444)
  • Ranks 43rd on MLB All-Time Home Run List (399)
  • Ranks 57th on MLB All-Time RBI List (1,425)
  • Ranks 58th on MLB All-Time Extra-Base Hits List (875)
  • Ranks 95th on MLB All-Time Intentional Walks List (106)
  • Was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 (first Rockies Baseball Player to be inducted)
  • Best Comeback Athlete ESPY Award 2001 (Atlanta Braves)
  • The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award winner 1993 (Colorado Rockies) 2001 (Atlanta Braves)
  • First Rockies player ever represented at All-Star Game (1993)
  • Rockies Career Leader in At Bats per Home Runs with 15.5.
  • His 150 RBI season in 1996 is still a single season record for the Rockies.[9]
  • Won the three Triple Crown categories (BA, HR, RBI) although in different seasons
  • Set Rockies record for RBI before the All-Star break (84 in 1997)
  • Became the first player in history to win two NL Comeback Player of the Year Awards
  • Honored in the docudrama movie Galarraga: puro béisbol (Galarraga: Nothing But Baseball – Venezuela, 2000)
  • Honored in the book Andrés Galarraga – Real Life Reader Biography, by writer Sue Boulais (2003)
  • Gained induction into the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (2010)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Andres Galarraga Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Andrés Galarraga Biography". baseballbiography.com. Baseball Biography. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d "Andres Galarraga Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Werner, Brian (April 1, 2018). "Andres Galarraga". SABR.org. SABR. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  5. ^ "Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. August 29, 1995. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  6. ^ Renck, Troy (June 13, 2015). "Rockies legend Andres Galarraga talks about his famous homer vs. Marlins". denverpost.com. The Denver Post. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Lopez, Jose L. (May 31, 1997). "Analysis of Andrés Galarraga's Home Run of May 31, 1997". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  8. ^ "Notebook: Galarraga retires with 399 homers". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. March 30, 2005. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  9. ^ "Colorado Rockies Top 10 Single-Season Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
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Preceded by National League Player of the Month
June 1993
September 1993 		Succeeded by


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