Javier Vázquez
From SoSH
| Born: | July 25, 1976 |
| Birthplace: | Ponce, Puerto Rico |
| Height: | 6' 2" |
| Weight: | 195 lbs |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1994: 5th Round by the Montreal Expos |
| College: | None |
| High School: | Colegio de Ponce (PR) |
| Teams: | Montreal Expos 1998-2003 New York Yankees 2004 Arizona D'backs 2005 Chicago White Sox 2006-Pres |
Overall Career
Javier Vazquez was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1994, and he pitched in Montreal from 1998 to 2003, having very good seasons in 2001 and 2003. In the 2002-2003 offseason, Vazquez was linked to the Red Sox in trade rumors, but the Sox balked at the high asking price, and the Yankees eventually made a move for Bartolo Colon which took the Expos out of the trade market.
Following his good year in 2003, Vazquez was traded when the Yankees, panicked from the Red Sox acquisition of Curt Schilling, overpaid for him, giving up Nick Johnson, Juan Rivera, and Randy Choate in the process. Javier spent one subpar year with the Yankees; a falling arm slot and the ineptitude of pitching coach Mel Stottlemeyer were often blamed for his troubles.
After the 2004 season, Javier was again the subject of major trade rumors, and, in December, he was traded, along with with Brad Halsey, Dioner Navarro, and cash to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Randy Johnson. Vazquez had one average year in Arizona before being traded yet again, this time to the White Sox for Orlando Hernandez, Luis Viscaino, and a prospect.
Moment in the Sun
- In game 7 of the 2004 ALCS, with the Red Sox already leading 2-0, Vazquez was brought in from the bullpen in the second inning with the bases loaded to face Johnny Damon. Vazquez's first pitch was a high and inside, get-me-over fastball, and Johnny sent it into the right field stands for a grand slam to break the game open.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
- Javier Vazquez at ESPN.com
