The Eastern Stars - Mark Kurlansky [106]
Ignacio “Al” Javier
Ignacio Alfredo Wilkes Javier was born on February 4, 1954, in Consuelo. He played outfield, left field, and right field. The Astros signed him in 1971. He debuted in the major leagues on September 9, 1976, for the Houston Astros and played his final game on October 1, 1976, an 8-game single-season major-league career.
1978
Arturo DeFreitas
Arturo Marcelino Simon DeFreitas was born on April 26, 1953, in San Pedro de Macorís. He played first base and right field. The Reds signed him on May 27, 1970. He debuted in the major leagues on September 7, 1978, for the Cincinnati Reds, and played two seasons for the team. His final game was on June 27, 1979.
Alberto Lois
Alberto Lois Pie was born on May 6, 1956, in Consuelo. He played outfield, left field, and center field. The Pittsburgh Pirates signed him in 1974. He debuted in the major leagues on September 8, 1978, for the Pirates and played his final game on September 29, 1979. His career, only fourteen games in two seasons, was ended by debilitating injuries from a car crash.
Pedro Guerrero
Pedro Guerrero was born on June 29, 1956, in Santa Fe. A first baseman, he was signed by the Cleveland Indians on January 15, 1973; they traded him to the Dodgers the following year. He debuted in the major leagues on September 22, 1978, for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was awarded the title of Most Valuable Player in 1981. His Dodger year of 1982 was his best: he had 32 home runs, 100 RBIs, and a .304 batting average. He played for the Dodgers for eleven of the sixteen seasons of his career. He played for five seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was then traded to the Cardinals on August 16, 1988, and signed as a free agent with them on January 7, 1992, playing his final game on October 4, 1992. He had career totals of 267 doubles, 215 home runs, and 898 RBIs, and an overall .300 batting average.
1980
Rafael “Rafelin” Ramírez
Rafael Emilio Peguero Ramírez was born on February 18, 1958, in Angelina. He was signed to the Atlanta Braves by Pedro González in September 1976. Primarily a shortstop, he debuted in the major leagues on August 4, 1980, for the Atlanta Braves. He played a total of thirteen seasons in the major leagues: eight seasons with the Braves and five with the Houston Astros. He played his final game on October 3, 1992. He hit 224 doubles, stole 112 bases, and had 484 RBIs.
1981
George Bell
George Antonio Bell was born on October 21, 1959, in Santa Fe. The Philadelphia Phillies signed him on March 7, 1978. He played outfield, left field, right field, third base, and second base, and was a designated hitter. He debuted in the major leagues on April 9, 1981, for the Toronto Blue Jays, and played his final game on October 2, 1993, for the Chicago White Sox. He played nine seasons with the Blue Jays, one with the Chicago Cubs, and two with the White Sox. During those twelve seasons he had a batting average of .278, hit 265 home runs and 308 doubles, and had 1,002 RBIs. In 1987, while on the Blue Jays, he became the first Dominican to be named Most Valuable Player in the league. He was also the first player in the major leagues to hit three home runs on an opening day.
Rufino Linares
Rufino de la Cruz Linares was born on February 28, 1951, in Quisqueya. He played mostly outfield and left field. He debuted in the major leagues on April 10, 1981, for the Atlanta Braves and played his final game on October 6, 1985, for the California Angels. He played a total of four seasons in the major leagues: three with