Luis Valbuena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Luis Valbuena |
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Valbuena with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017
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| Infielder | |||
| Born: November 30, 1985 Caja Seca, Venezuela |
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| Died: December 6, 2018 (aged 33) Yaracuy, Venezuela |
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| debut | |||
| September 2, 2008, for the Seattle Mariners | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 3, 2018, for the Los Angeles Angels | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .226 | ||
| Home runs | 114 | ||
| Runs batted in | 367 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Luis Adan Valbuena (born November 30, 1985 – died December 6, 2018) was a professional baseball player from Venezuela. He played as an infielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) for eleven seasons, from 2008 to 2018. He played for teams like the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, and Los Angeles Angels. Luis mainly played third base, but he also played second base and first base. Sadly, he passed away in a car crash in Venezuela in 2018.
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Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Luis Valbuena grew up in Sucre, a town in the Zulia state of Venezuela. His mother, Nelly, raised him. She was even the president of their local youth baseball league! Luis learned to play baseball with help from his older brother and several uncles.
Playing in the Major Leagues
Starting with the Seattle Mariners
Luis Valbuena started his professional baseball journey with the Seattle Mariners in 2005. He first joined the major league team on September 1, 2008. Before that, he played for the Mariners' top minor league team, the Tacoma Rainiers.
Time with the Cleveland Indians
On December 10, 2008, Valbuena was traded to the Cleveland Indians. This was part of a three-team trade. Luis hit his first major league home run on June 7, 2009, against pitcher Bartolo Colón.
In July 2011, the Indians sent Valbuena to their Triple-A team in Columbus. This was to make space for a new player, Jason Kipnis. Luis was called back up in August 2011 when Kipnis got injured. Later that year, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Years with the Chicago Cubs
On April 4, 2012, the Chicago Cubs picked up Valbuena after the Blue Jays let him go. He was sent to their minor league team, the Iowa Cubs, but was called back up to the major league team on June 14.
In 2013, Valbuena played 108 games for the Cubs. He hit .218, which means he got a hit about 21.8% of the time he tried. He also hit 12 home runs and had 37 runs batted in (RBIs). An RBI means he helped a teammate score a run. The next year, in 2014, his batting average went up to .249 in 149 games. He also hit 16 home runs and had 51 RBIs.
Playing for the Houston Astros
On January 19, 2015, the Cubs traded Valbuena to the Houston Astros. He was expected to be the Astros' main third baseman for the 2015 season. In 2015, Valbuena's batting average was .224, but he hit a career-high 25 home runs!
As other players joined the team, Valbuena started playing both first base and third base. This helped him get more playing time.
Joining the Los Angeles Angels
On January 24, 2017, Valbuena signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. During his time with the Angels, he continued to play both third base and first base. In 2017, he hit .199, but he still managed to hit 22 home runs and had a career-high 65 RBIs.
The Angels released Valbuena on August 7, 2018. He had hit .199 again that season, with nine home runs and 33 RBIs.
Tragic Passing
On December 6, 2018, Luis Valbuena was in a car in Yaracuy, Venezuela. He was with two other baseball players, José Castillo and Carlos Rivero. They were returning from a game. The car was attacked by robbers. The driver tried to avoid them, but the car hit a rock and crashed. Sadly, Luis Valbuena and José Castillo died in the crash. Four men were later arrested because they were found with the players' belongings.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball players from Venezuela
- List of baseball players who died during their careers
