Ubaldo Jiménez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ubaldo Jiménez |
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Jiménez for the Colorado Rockies in 2010
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: January 22, 1984 Nagua, Dominican Republic |
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| debut | |||
| September 26, 2006, for the Colorado Rockies | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 22, 2017, for the Baltimore Orioles | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 114–117 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.34 | ||
| Strikeouts | 1,720 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Ubaldo Jiménez García (born January 22, 1984) is a former professional baseball pitcher from the Dominican Republic. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Indians, and Baltimore Orioles.
Jiménez was an MLB All-Star in 2010. That year, he made history by pitching the first no-hitter for the Rockies team. He earned his 100th MLB win in 2015 while playing for the Baltimore Orioles. In 2016, he became an American citizen.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Dreams
Ubaldo Jiménez grew up in the Dominican Republic. His father was in the Dominican Army, and his family did not have much money. When Ubaldo was 16, the New York Mets offered him a contract to play baseball.
However, his mother wanted him to finish high school first. So, he signed with the Colorado Rockies in 2001. They offered him $50,000 and allowed him to finish school.
Ubaldo's Baseball Career
Starting with the Colorado Rockies
First Games (2006–2008)
Ubaldo Jiménez made his first MLB appearance on September 26, 2006. He played as a relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. His first start as a pitcher was on October 1, 2006.
He earned his first MLB win on July 29, 2007, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Later that year, he played in his first Major League Baseball postseason game. The Rockies won that game, sweeping the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jiménez also pitched in the 2007 World Series against the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox won the series. In 2008, Jiménez had a good season, winning 12 games. He was known for throwing one of the fastest fastballs in the Major Leagues.
Making History (2009–2011)
In 2008, Jiménez signed a four-year contract with the Rockies. In 2009, he continued to pitch well, winning 15 games. He pitched at least six innings in 25 games in a row, which was a team record.
Jiménez also played for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He set a record by striking out 10 batters in just four innings.
On April 17, 2010, Jiménez achieved something amazing: he pitched a no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves. This was the first no-hitter in the history of the Colorado Rockies team! He threw 128 pitches and struck out 7 batters. A great catch by Dexter Fowler helped save the no-hitter.
Jiménez was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for April and May 2010. He was the first Rockies pitcher to win this award more than once. He also set a team record for pitching 33 innings in a row without giving up any runs.
By July 2010, Jiménez had an incredible record of 15 wins and only 1 loss. He was chosen to be an All-Star and was even named the starting pitcher for the National League team. He finished the 2010 season with 19 wins, which was a new record for the Rockies.
Playing for the Cleveland Indians (2011–2013)
On July 31, 2011, Jiménez was traded to the Cleveland Indians. This was a big change for him. In 2012, he was suspended for five games after hitting a former teammate with a pitch. He had a tough season that year, losing 17 games.
However, Jiménez bounced back in 2013. He finished the season with 13 wins and a much better ERA. After the 2013 season, he chose to become a free agent.
Time with the Baltimore Orioles (2014–2017)
First Seasons (2014–2015)
In February 2014, Jiménez signed a four-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles. His first season with the Orioles was challenging. He struggled at the start, but got his first win with the team in May. He also spent some time on the injured list.
In 2015, Jiménez started the season strong, pitching 7 shutout innings in his first game. He was ejected from a game for the first time in his career after hitting a batter with a pitch. He finished the 2015 season with 12 wins.
Later Seasons (2016–2017)
In 2016, Jiménez had a difficult first half of the season. However, he pitched his first complete game since 2011 in September. A complete game means he pitched the entire game without another pitcher taking over.
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In the Wild Card game, Jiménez entered the game in the 11th inning. He gave up a home run that ended the Orioles' season. The 2017 season was his last with the Orioles. He had a tough year, allowing many home runs.
Returning to the Rockies and Retirement
On February 5, 2020, Jiménez signed a minor league deal to return to the Colorado Rockies. However, he was released by the team later that year.
Ubaldo Jiménez officially announced his retirement from professional baseball on September 17, 2020.
How Ubaldo Pitched
Jiménez was known for his powerful pitches. His four-seam fastball often reached speeds of 96 miles per hour. In 2010, he was one of only three pitchers to throw 20 or more pitches over 100 miles per hour.
He also threw a two-seam fastball that moved sideways and downward. This pitch was very effective at getting batters to hit ground balls. He also used a split-finger fastball and an occasional forkball, which had a deceptive downward movement.
His changeup also had a strong sinking action, making it hard for batters to tell apart from his fastballs. Jiménez also had a slider that broke sharply and late, often fooling batters. His final pitch was a looping curveball, which he used less often.
Awards and Achievements
- National League All-Star starting pitcher in the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
- 2-time National League Pitcher of the Month (April and May 2010)
- Ranked among Baseball's Best Minor League Players (2004, 2005, 2006)
See also
In Spanish: Ubaldo Jiménez para niños
- List of Colorado Rockies team records
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
