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Alfonso Soriano

Soriano with the New York Yankees in 2013

Left fielder / Second baseman

Born: January 7, 1976 (age 49)
San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic

Batted: Right

Threw: Right

Professional debut

NPB: August 5, 1997, for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp

MLB: September 14, 1999, for the New York Yankees

Last appearance

NPB: August 17, 1997, for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp

MLB: July 5, 2014, for the New York Yankees

MLB statistics

Batting average

.270

Hits

2,095

Home runs

412

Runs batted in

1,159

Teams

Hiroshima Toyo Carp (1997)
New York Yankees (1999–2003)
Texas Rangers (2004–2005)
Washington Nationals (2006)
Chicago Cubs (2007–2013)
New York Yankees (2013–2014)

Career highlights and awards

7× All-Star (2002–2008)
4× Silver Slugger Award (2002, 2004–2006)
AL stolen base leader (2002)

Alfonso Guilleard Soriano (born January 7, 1976) is a former professional baseball player from the Dominican Republic. He was known for playing both left field and second base. Alfonso played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), including the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, and Chicago Cubs. He also played briefly in Japan for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

Alfonso Soriano started his professional baseball journey in Japan in 1996. He later joined the Yankees in 1998. The next year, he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the All-Star Futures Game. He then made his MLB debut with the Yankees, helping them win two American League championships. After playing for the Rangers and Nationals, he signed with the Cubs in 2007. He returned to the Yankees in 2013 before retiring in 2014.

Soriano was chosen for the MLB All-Star Game seven times. He also won the All-Star Game MVP Award in 2004. He earned the Silver Slugger Award four times for his excellent hitting. Alfonso is one of only six players in baseball history to join the 40-40 club, which means hitting 40 home runs and stealing 40 bases in the same season. He achieved this amazing feat in 2006.

Playing Baseball Professionally

Starting in Japan (1996–1997)

Alfonso Soriano began his baseball career in Japan with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. He trained at their special academy for players from the Dominican Republic. In 1996, he played in a minor league in Japan. The next year, in 1997, he joined the main team. He played in nine games, but didn't get many hits.

Soriano found the intense practice schedule in Japan very tough. He also wanted a higher salary, but the Carp team said no. He decided he wanted to play in the United States, like some other Japanese players had done. After some discussions, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig announced that Soriano was a free agent. This meant he could sign with any MLB team.

Joining the New York Yankees (1998–2003)

In 1998, Soriano signed with the New York Yankees. He started as an infielder, first playing third base, then moving to second base. In 1999, he was picked for the All-Star Futures Game. He was named the MVP of that game after hitting two home runs.

He played for the Yankees for five seasons. His first hit in MLB was a game-winning home run in 1999. In 2001, he finished third for the Rookie of the Year award. During the 2001 World Series, he hit a home run that put the Yankees ahead in Game 7. However, the Arizona Diamondbacks ended up winning the series.

In 2002, Soriano became only the second Yankee ever to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season. He did it again in 2003! In 2002, he also led the American League in several categories, like hits and stolen bases. In 2003, he set a record for hitting the most home runs to start a game in one season, with 13.

Playing for the Texas Rangers (2004–2005)

In 2004, the Yankees traded Soriano to the Texas Rangers. This trade was a big deal because the Yankees received star player Alex Rodriguez in return.

On May 8, 2004, Soriano had an amazing game, getting six hits in nine innings. This was the first time a Texas Ranger player had done that. Later that year, Soriano was chosen to start at second base in the 2004 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He hit a three-run home run and was named the MVP of the game. In 2005, he continued to be a strong player, finishing high in stolen bases and extra-base hits.

Time with the Washington Nationals (2006)

In December 2005, Soriano was traded to the Washington Nationals. In February 2006, he received a record-setting salary through a process called arbitration, getting $10 million. The Nationals offered him a long-term contract, but Soriano decided to wait and become a free agent later.

Soriano with the Washington Nationals in 2006

In March 2006, the Nationals manager, Frank Robinson, wanted Soriano to play left field instead of second base. Soriano didn't want to, but after some discussion, he agreed. He soon started to enjoy his new position. He made his fifth straight All-Star team and became one of only three players to start All-Star games for both leagues at two different positions.

On August 25, 2006, Soriano became the fastest player in baseball history to reach 200 home runs and 200 stolen bases. In September, he achieved something truly special. He became the only player in baseball history with 40 home runs, 40 stolen bases, and 20 assists in one season.

Alfonso Soriano joins the 40–40 club by stealing his 40th base against the Milwaukee Brewers at RFK Stadium, September 16, 2006.

On September 16, Soriano stole second base, officially joining the 40–40 club. This club includes players who hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season. He was the fourth player to do this. Many people thought Soriano's 40–40 season was especially impressive because of the circumstances around other players at the time. Six days later, he became the first player to reach 40 home runs, 40 stolen bases, and 40 doubles in one season.

Soriano had a career-high 46 home runs that year. He also led the major leagues in a stat called "power-speed number," which shows how good a player is at both hitting for power and stealing bases.

Playing for the Chicago Cubs

2007 Season

Soriano at bat against the San Francisco Giants

The Chicago Cubs signed Soriano to a big eight-year contract. This was the most expensive deal in the Cubs' history at the time. The Cubs' manager, Lou Piniella, first had Soriano play center field, but later moved him to left field after an injury. He started the season slowly but improved a lot in June.

In June, Soriano hit three home runs in one game against the Atlanta Braves. He also hit home runs in three straight games against the Chicago White Sox. His great performance earned him the National League's Player of the Month award for June. He was also chosen as an All-Star reserve outfielder and hit a two-run home run in the All-Star Game.

In August, Soriano got injured again, tearing a muscle in his leg. He returned later that month and had an amazing September. He hit 14 home runs and had 27 runs batted in. The Cubs won their division, but lost in the playoffs. Soriano finished the season with 33 home runs and a .299 batting average.

2008 Season

Soriano struggled at the start of the 2008 season and was placed on the disabled list with a calf injury. After returning, he started playing much better, hitting 7 home runs in just 6 games in May. However, his defense was sometimes difficult. He was still a strong hitter, leading the team in home runs despite playing in only 109 games. On August 22, Soriano stole home plate, which is a very rare play in baseball.

In September, Soriano helped the Cubs end a losing streak by hitting three home runs in one game. This was his third game with three home runs in his career. However, the Cubs lost in the playoffs that year.

2009 Season

Soriano at bat with the Cubs in 2009.

Soriano started the 2009 season strong, hitting a home run in his very first at-bat. He continued to hit important home runs early in the season. However, his batting average dropped in May.

Before the All-Star break, his manager changed his spot in the batting order. Soriano accepted this change, saying he wasn't doing his job well enough. This change seemed to help him. After the All-Star break, he hit two game-winning home runs. On July 27, he hit a walk-off grand slam (a home run with the bases loaded that wins the game) in the 13th inning.

In September 2009, Soriano had surgery on his left knee. In 2009, he led all left fielders in errors, which means he made the most mistakes in the field.

2010 Season

After a tough 2009, Soriano was placed in the 6th spot in the Cubs' batting lineup. He had a good rebound season, playing in the most games for the Cubs that year (147). He also hit 40 doubles and had 79 runs batted in. On June 11, 2010, Soriano hit his 300th career home run. On defense, he again led major league left fielders in errors.

2011 Season

In 2011, Soriano had another challenging year on defense, leading left fielders in errors. He batted .244, hit 26 home runs, and drove in 88 runs.

2012 Season

2012 was one of Soriano's best years in a while. He hit 32 home runs, had his best batting average in years (.262), and set a personal best for RBIs with 108, which was third-highest in the National League. In the field, he made only one error, which was also his personal best.

2013 Season (First Part)

Soriano started the 2013 season strong with the Cubs. He played 93 games, hitting .254 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs. His hitting was especially good in June and July, making him a player many teams wanted as the trade deadline approached.

Returning to the New York Yankees (2013–2014)

Rest of 2013 Season

Alfonso Soriano makes a diving catch during a Yankees-Orioles game on September 12 2013

On July 26, 2013, the Cubs traded Soriano back to the New York Yankees. On August 11, 2013, Soriano got his 2,000th career hit, which was a home run.

He had an incredible few days in August 2013. On August 13, he hit two home runs and had a career-high six RBIs. The very next day, he broke that record by driving in seven runs! He became one of only three players in modern baseball history to drive in at least six runs in back-to-back games.

From August 13 to 16, Soriano drove in 18 runs over four games, tying a Major League record. He also had 13 hits during this time, becoming the only player in MLB history with 18 RBIs and at least 12 hits in a four-game stretch. He was named the American League Player of the Week for his amazing performance.

Alfonso Soriano in 2013

On August 27, Soriano hit two home runs, and the second one was the 400th of his career! For the rest of 2013 with the Yankees, Soriano played 58 games, batting .256 with 17 home runs and 50 RBIs. Overall in 2013, combining his time with both teams, he played 151 games, batting .255 with 34 home runs and 101 RBIs.

2014 Season

In 2014, with new players joining the Yankees, Soriano's playing time became limited. He struggled with his hitting. The Yankees released him on July 14, 2014. In 67 games that year, Soriano batted .221 with 6 home runs and 23 RBIs.

Retirement

Alfonso Soriano announced his retirement from baseball on November 4, 2014. He said he had "lost the love and passion to play the game" and wanted to focus on his family. At the time of his retirement, his 412 career home runs placed him 53rd on the all-time list.

Career Highlights and Awards

7× All-Star (2002–2008)
4× Silver Slugger Award (2002, 2004–2006)
MLB All-Star Game MVP (2004)
AL stolen base leader (2002)
4x 30-30 club (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) - Hitting 30 home runs and stealing 30 bases in a season.
40-40 club (2006) - Hitting 40 home runs and stealing 40 bases in a season.

Fielding Skills

Soriano played second base for many years. From 2001 to 2005, he led all major league second basemen in errors each year. When he moved to left field in 2006, he was second among all left fielders in errors, but he also led them in assists (throwing out runners) and double plays.

Games	GS	INN	TC	PO	A	E	DP	RF	FPCT
1,796	1,775	15,400.2	5,668	3,311	2,191	166	504	3.22	.971

Personal Life

Alfonso Soriano's family on his father's side, the Guilleards, have roots in Haiti. His mother, Doña Andrea Soriano, is the sister of Hilario Soriano, who was a catcher for a baseball team called the Tigres del Licey.

Alfonso Soriano is married to Carmen Isis Eusebio. They have three daughters named Alisis, Angeline, and Alisha, and three sons named Allen, Angel, and Alfonso Jr.