The Eastern Stars - Mark Kurlansky [115]
Pedro Santana
Pedro Santana was born on September 21, 1976, in Barrio México. A second baseman, his entire major-league baseball career was one game on July 16, 2001, for the Detroit Tigers against the Cincinnati Reds.
2002
Eddie Rogers
Edward Antonio Rogers was born on August 29, 1978, in Los Llanos, San Pedro de Macorís. The Orioles signed him on November 7, 1997. He debuted in the major leagues on September 5, 2002, for the Orioles, playing three seasons for them, then signing with the Red Sox in 2006 and the Washington Nationals in 2007. He played shortstop, second base, outfield, third base, left field, and right field, and was a designated hitter.
2003
José Valverde
José Rafael Valverde was born on July 24, 1979, in San Pedro de Macorís. A right-handed pitcher, the Arizona Diamondbacks signed him on February 6, 1997, and he debuted in the major leagues for the Diamondbacks on June 1, 2003. He was a closer and in 2007 his record of 47 saves was the highest of any major-league pitcher. Then, on December 14, 2007, the Diamondbacks traded him to the Houston Astros. He became the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2007 and 2008. At the end of the 2008 season he had a major-league career ERA of 3.31.
2004
Daniel Cabrera
Daniel Alberto Cruz Cabrera was born on May 28, 1981, in San Pedro de Macorís. He was a six-foot-seven-inch right-handed fastball pitcher. The Baltimore Orioles signed him on March 15, 1999, and Cabrera debuted in the major leagues for the Orioles on May 13, 2004, and threw six shutout innings. For a few months he seemed almost unhittable, but then he began losing control of his pitches. In 2006, still devastating when in control, he led the major leagues in both walks and wild pitches, was sent down to the minors, but was later recalled. On August 19, 2006, he almost pitched a no-hitter against the Yankees until the ninth inning, when fellow Macorisano Robinson Canó spoiled it with a hit for the Yankees. In August 2007 he blew a three-run lead against the Texas Rangers and lost 30 to 3. His career ERA is 5.05. The Orioles did not pick up his contract in 2009, and he signed with the Washington Nationals.
Eddy Rodríguez
Eddy Rodríguez was born on August 8, 1981, in Ramón Santana, San Pedro de Macorís. He is a right-handed pitcher signed by the Orioles on March 11, 1999. He debuted in the major leagues on May 31, 2004, for the Baltimore Orioles and played for the Orioles for 2004 and 2006. He signed with the Florida Marlins on October 30, 2006.
Jerry Gil
Jerry Bienvenido Manzanillo Gil was born on October 14, 1982, in Placer Bonito. The Arizona Diamondbacks signed him as a shortstop on November 15, 1999. He debuted in the major leagues on August 22, 2004, for the Diamondbacks and played only that one season for them. In 2007 he played one season for the Cincinnati Reds.
2005
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó, the son of José, was born on October 22, 1982, in Villa Magdalena, San Pedro de Macorís. The New York Yankees signed him as a second baseman on January 5, 2001. He debuted in the major leagues for the Yankees on May 3, 2005, and as of 2009 has continued playing for them. As of the end of the 2008 season, he had hit 151 doubles and 309 RBIs and maintained a .303 batting average.
2006
Sendy Rleal
Sendy Aquino Rleal was born on June 21, 1980, in San Pedro de Macorís. A right-handed pitcher, the Baltimore Orioles signed him on June 30, 1999. He debuted in the major leagues on April 5, 2006, for the Orioles. This was his only major league season, which he finished with a 4.44 ERA. The Orioles released him on September 5, 2007.
Agustín Montero
Agustín Alcántara Montero was born on August 26, 1977, in San Pedro de Macorís. A right-handed pitcher, he was signed by the Oakland Athletics as a free agent on January 20, 1995. He debuted in the major leagues on May 12, 2006, for the Chicago White Sox. In 2007 he went back down to the minor leagues. His major-league ERA was 5.14.
Juan Morillo
Juan Bautista Morillo was born on November 5,