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Yunel Escobar
Yunel Escobar 01.jpg
Escobar with the Atlanta Braves in 2009
Shortstop / Third baseman
Born: (1982-11-02) November 2, 1982 (age 42)
Havana, Cuba
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
June 2, 2007, for the Atlanta Braves
Last appearance
August 6, 2017, for the Los Angeles Angels
MLB statistics
Batting average .282
Home runs 90
Runs batted in 519
Teams

Yunel Escobar Almenares (born November 2, 1982) is a former professional baseball player. He was born in Cuba and later became an American citizen. Yunel played as a shortstop and third baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for several teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, and Los Angeles Angels.

Early Life and Journey to MLB

Yunel Escobar was born in Havana, Cuba, on November 2, 1982. He grew up with Brayan Peña, who also became a professional baseball player. They were good friends and often played on the same teams. They even shared their bats, gloves, and cleats.

In 2004, Yunel left Cuba by sea. He arrived safely in the Florida Keys in the United States. This was a big step towards his dream of playing professional baseball.

Baseball Career Highlights

Starting with the Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves picked Yunel Escobar in the 2005 baseball draft. They saw him as a very talented player. Many teams were unsure about drafting him because they did not know much about his background. However, the Braves spoke with Brayan Peña, who gave them great information about Yunel.

Yunel started playing in the minor leagues in 2005. He played very well, hitting .400 in his first league. In 2006, he played in Double-A and was chosen for the All-Star Futures Game. He showed good control at the plate, getting many walks.

Major League Debut

Yunel Escobar made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on June 2, 2007. He played third base for the Braves against the Chicago Cubs. In his very first at-bat, he hit a single. He finished the game with two hits, including a double, and helped the Braves win.

Yunel said this was what he had dreamed about since leaving Cuba. He was very confident in his skills. His manager, Bobby Cox, noted that Yunel was a fearless player.

First Home Run and Key Plays

Just two days later, on June 4, 2007, Yunel hit his first Major League home run. It happened at Turner Field, the Braves' home stadium. He hit the ball over the right field wall. He had a fantastic game, getting four hits in total.

On July 27, 2007, Yunel showed how smart he was on the field. The Braves were losing in the last inning. Yunel got a walk, putting him on first base. He noticed the opposing pitcher was not paying attention. Yunel quickly ran to second base, surprising everyone. He then scored a run, helping the Braves tie the game.

Later that season, on August 5, Yunel got his first "walk-off" hit. This means his hit ended the game by scoring the winning run. He finished his first season with a great batting average of .326.

Becoming the Starting Shortstop

After the 2007 season, the Braves traded their starting shortstop, Édgar Rentería. This opened up the position for Yunel. Rentería had taught Yunel a lot, helping him improve his game.

On June 2, 2008, exactly one year after his MLB debut, Yunel hit his first walk-off home run. He had a strong defensive year in 2008. In 2009, he had his best year for hitting, with a career-high 14 home runs.

Moving to the Toronto Blue Jays

On July 14, 2010, Yunel Escobar was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. Soon after joining the team, he hit his first Grand Slam for the Blue Jays. A Grand Slam is a home run hit with all three bases loaded, scoring four runs.

In 2011, Yunel became the Blue Jays' starting shortstop. He hit his second career walk-off home run on April 5, 2011. The Blue Jays signed him to a new contract, showing they believed in his talent.

Playing for the Tampa Bay Rays

Yunel was traded again in November 2012, this time to the Miami Marlins. A few weeks later, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. He played for the Rays in 2013 and 2014. On September 26, 2013, he was the last batter to face the famous pitcher Mariano Rivera before Rivera retired.

Time with the Washington Nationals

In January 2015, Yunel was traded to the Oakland Athletics, and then just a few days later, to the Washington Nationals. On April 21, 2015, he hit another walk-off home run for the Nationals, helping them win a close game.

Final Years with the Los Angeles Angels

Yunel Escobar was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on December 10, 2015. In 2016, he had a good batting average of .304. He became a free agent after the 2017 season, meaning he was free to sign with any team.

Important Incident and Lesson Learned

During a game on September 15, 2012, Yunel Escobar was seen with an inappropriate message written on his eye black. Eye black is a grease players wear under their eyes to reduce glare. The message was in Spanish and was considered offensive.

Yunel apologized for the incident. He explained that he did not mean to offend anyone. However, the Toronto Blue Jays suspended him for three games. The money he would have earned during those games was given to groups that support fairness and respect for all people. Yunel also took part in special training to learn more about how his actions could affect others. This incident showed the importance of being mindful of what we say and write.

Personal Life

Yunel Escobar became an American citizen on March 10, 2017. The ceremony took place in Miami, Florida.

See also

  • List of baseball players who defected from Cuba

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