Carlos Baerga

From SoSH

Carlos Obed Baerga Ortiz (born November 04, 1968), was a three-time All-Star second baseman in the American League, who became a mediocre, injury-riddled second baseman in the National League after a 1996 trade brought him to the New York Mets. By the age of 31, Baerga was out of baseball. Baerga attempted a comeback in the early 2000's including a cameo appearance on the Red Sox in 2002.

Contents 1 Overall Career 2 Awards 3 Achievements 4 Baerga's Moments in the Sun 5 Trivia 6 Transactions 7 External Links

Overall Career

Signed by the Padres in `85, the book on Baerga had always been that he was a solid hitter in the clutch, who was less than reliable with the glove. Baerga got his first cup of coffee in the big leagues with the Indians in August 1990 and was often called upon to pinch-hit. At the beginning of the 1991 season, Baerga was the Indians' starting third, and then took over at second base from Jerry Browne mid-year. From 1992 - 1996, the steady Baerga was one of the key components in the Indians' rise to power in the AL, placing high amongst team and league leaders in batting average, homers and RBI.

Baerga was also a leader in clubhouse and was well-liked by all his teammates. But he put on some weight over the winter of 1995-96, and management felt he had a lackadaisical attitude; he often could be seen chatting on a cell phone during batting practice. His hitting fell proportionately to his perceived behavior problems. During the `96 season Baerga was batting just .267 when, on July 30, he became the Mets' 103rd third baseman, traded to New York with infielder Alvaro Espinoza in exchange for Jeff Kent and Jose Vizcaino. The trade angered and confused many Cleveland fans, who considered Baerga the cornerstone of their team.

After the trade everything fell apart for Baerga, who hit only 0.193 in 26 games for New York. After 3 mediocre seasons with the Mets, Baerga spent time with just about every team in 1999, before finding himself out of baseball. Carlos spent the next few seasons on any team that would take him, including the independent Atlantic League, Long Island Ducks and the Korean Baseball league. In 2002 Baerga attempted a comeback with the Boston Red Sox, but he wasn't the player he once was and after 3 more seasons as a journeyman, he was out of baseball for good in 2006.

Awards

• 3-Time American Leauge All-Star (1992, 1993, 1995)
• 2-Time American Leauge Silver Slugger (1993, 1994)

Achievements

• American League Singles Leader (1992)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 2 (1992 & 1993)
• 100 RBI Seasons: 2 (1992 & 1993)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1993)
• 200 Hits Seasons: 2 (1992 & 1993)

Baerga's Moments in the Sun

• April 8, 1993: Baerga becomes the 1st player in major league history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same inning, connecting in the 7th inning of Cleveland's 15-5 win over the New York Yankees.
• June 17, 1993: Cleveland 2B Carlos Baerga hits three home runs in the Indians' 9-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

Trivia

• Baerga has played in the Independent Atlantic League, and the Korean Baseball League

Transactions

• November 4, 1985: Signed by the San Diego Padres as an amateur free agent.
• December 6, 1989: Traded by the San Diego Padres with Sandy Alomar and Chris James to the Cleveland Indians for Joe Carter.
• July 29, 1996: Traded by the Cleveland Indians with Alvaro Espinoza to the New York Mets for Jeff Kent and Jose Vizcaino.
• October 26, 1998: Granted Free Agency.
• January 27, 1999: Signed as a Free Agent with the St. Louis Cardinals.
• March 17, 1999: Released by the St. Louis Cardinals.
• March 23, 1999: Signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.
• June 4, 1999: Released by the Cincinnati Reds.
• June 6, 1999: Signed as a Free Agent with the San Diego Padres.
• August 16, 1999: Purchased by the Cleveland Indians from the San Diego Padres.
• October 29, 1999: Granted Free Agency.
• February 24, 2000: Signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
• March 31, 2000: Free agent signing by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays voided.
• January 23, 2001: Signed as a Free Agent with the Seattle Mariners.
• March 30, 2001: Released by the Seattle Mariners.
• December 18, 2001: Signed as a Free Agent with the Boston Red Sox.
• October 29, 2002: Granted Free Agency.
• March 26, 2003: Signed as a Free Agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• October 29, 2003: Granted Free Agency.
• December 7, 2003: Signed as a Free Agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• October 28, 2004: Granted Free Agency.
• February 21, 2005: Signed as a Free Agent with the Washington Nationals.

External Links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis