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{{short description|Puerto Rican baseball player (born 1976)}} | |||
'''Javier Carlos Vázquez''' (born ], ] in ]) is a ] ] who has played for the ] since 2005. Previously, he pitched for the ] (]) and ] (]-]). | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} | |||
{{Infobox baseball biography | |||
| name = Javier Vázquez | |||
| image = File:Javier Vázquez.jpg | |||
| image_size = 250px | |||
| caption = Vázquez with the Braves in 2009 | |||
| position = ] | |||
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|7|25}} | |||
| birth_place = ] | |||
| bats = Right | |||
| throws = Right | |||
|debutleague = MLB | |||
| debutdate = April 3 | |||
| debutyear = 1998 | |||
| debutteam = Montreal Expos | |||
|finalleague = MLB | |||
| finaldate = September 27 | |||
| finalyear = 2011 | |||
| finalteam = Florida Marlins | |||
|statleague = MLB | |||
| stat1label = ] | |||
| stat1value = 165–160 | |||
| stat2label = ] | |||
| stat2value = 4.22 | |||
| stat3label = ]s | |||
| stat3value = 2,536 | |||
| teams = | |||
*] ({{mlby|1998}}–{{mlby|2003}}) | |||
*] ({{mlby|2004}}) | |||
*] ({{mlby|2005}}) | |||
*] ({{mlby|2006}}–{{mlby|2008}}) | |||
*] ({{mlby|2009}}) | |||
*] ({{mlby|2010}}) | |||
*] ({{mlby|2011}}) | |||
| awards = | |||
*] (]) | |||
}} | |||
'''Javier Carlos Vázquez''' (born July 25, 1976) is a Puerto Rican former ] ]. He played for the ] ({{mlby|1998}}–{{mlby|2003}}), ] ({{mlby|2004}}, {{mlby|2010}}), ] ({{mlby|2005}}), ] ({{mlby|2006}}–{{mlby|2008}}), ] ({{mlby|2009}}), and ] ({{mlby|2011}}). | |||
==Personal life== | |||
In December 2003, the Yankees acquired Vázquez from the Expos in exchange for ] ] and ] ]. He agreed to a four-year deal through the 2007 season. Vazquez and ] were the two most sought after starting pitchers in that offseason. Since Vazquez was over ten years younger than Schilling and his career seemed to be ascending, Vazquez was the first priority to teams like the Yankees and the ]. The Yankees acquired Vazquez, and the Red Sox acquired their second priority, Curt Schilling. After ] left the Yankees to sign with the ], teammate and close friend ] ended his retirement and followed suit. The Yankees brought Vazquez in to fill a hole in the starting rotation, and the Yankees acquired fiery ] to replace Andy Pettitte. At the beginning of the 2004 season it looked, on paper, as if the Yankees had improved their starting rotation. However, Vazquez, who was an all-star that season, and Brown struggled mightily during the second half of the 2004 season, which lead many to question the Yankees starting pitching. In Game 7 of the 2004 ], Kevin Brown allowed two runs in the first inning and loaded the bases in the second inning without retiring an out. Vazquez relieved Brown, and his first pitch was deposited into the right field seats for a grand slam off the bat of ], giving the Red Sox a 6-0 lead. After the Yankees lost the game and the series, everyone pointed to the Yankees starting pitching as their downfall. Because of this, the Yankees sent Vazquez, ], and ], to the Arizona Diamondbacks after the 2004 season in exchange for ]. | |||
Vázquez was born in ]. Vázquez is married to Kamille Vázquez. They have three children: Kamila, Javier Josué, and Kariana.<ref name="filántropo">{{cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Carlos |date=December 1, 2007 |title=Pelotero y filántropo |url=http://www.primerahora.com/noticia/beisbol/accion_deportiva/pelotero_y_filantropo/134025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609102745/http://www.primerahora.com/noticia/beisbol/accion_deportiva/pelotero_y_filantropo/134025 |archive-date=June 9, 2009 |access-date=December 3, 2007 |website=] |language=es}}</ref> Vázquez claims that he dislikes being the center of attention outside of the playing field and describes himself as a 'house man' spending his free time with his children.<ref name="filántropo"/> Vázquez is also interested in art pieces especially the ones that are produced by Puerto Rican artists and he possesses paintings by ] and Iván Rosario.<ref name="filántropo"/> Vázquez has also expressed that he has always been interested in charity work, this interest was fueled by his parents as he states that a Christian upbringing and their support when he began practicing sports were part of this influence.<ref name="filántropo"/> | |||
==Professional career== | |||
Following his first season with Arizona, Vázquez formally requested a trade from the team. If Arizona does not trade him, he will become a free agent. | |||
===Minor Leagues=== | |||
From 1998-2004, Vázquez has compiled a career 78-78 record with 1226 ]s and a 4.26 ] in 500 ]s. He was selected as an ] in 2004. | |||
Vázquez was drafted by the ] in the fifth round (140th overall) of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=5th Round of the 1994 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=1994&draft_round=5&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> The same year, he began his professional career with the team's Rookie-level club in ], Florida, the ]. In 15 games (11 starts), Vázquez went 5–2 with a 2.53 ERA. He struck out 56 batters while walking 15 in a team-leading {{frac|67|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Javier Vazquez Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=vazque001jav |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> In 1995, he was promoted to the Single-A ], where he finished 6–6 with a 5.08 ERA in 21 starts. In {{frac|102|2|3}} innings pitched, he struck out 87 batters, but also walked 47.<ref name=":0" /> In 1996, while with the Single-A ], Vázquez went 14–3 with a 2.68 ERA in 27 starts. He pitched {{frac|164|1|3}} innings with a team-leading 173 strikeouts and 57 walks.<ref name=":0" /> The following year, Vázquez started the season with the High-A ], going 6–3 with a 2.16 ERA in 19 starts while striking out 100 and walking 28 in {{frac|112|2|3}} innings.<ref name=":0" /> He was later promoted to the Double-A ], where he posted a perfect 4–0 record and a 1.07 ERA in six starts. In 42 innings pitched with Harrisburg, Vázquez struck out 47 batters and walked 12.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
===Montreal Expos (1998–2003)=== | |||
Vázquez made his ] debut for the Expos on April 3, 1998, against the ], pitching five innings of three-run ball in the 6–2 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 3, 1998 |title=Montreal Expos at Chicago Cubs Box Score, April 3, 1998 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN199804030.shtml |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> He picked up his first win on May 1 against the ], allowing three earned runs in {{frac|6|2|3}} innings while striking out eight.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 1998 |title=Arizona Diamondbacks at Montreal Expos Box Score, May 1, 1998 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON199805010.shtml |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> He finished his rookie season appearing in 33 games (32 starts), compiling a 5–15 record and a 6.06 ERA.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Javier Vazquez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vazquja01.shtml |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> Vázquez pitched {{frac|172|1|3}} innings, striking out 139 batters while walking 68.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
In {{Baseball year|1999}}, as part of a young Expos rotation of "twentysomething", "tall", "power" pitchers<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Farber |first=Michael |date=March 29, 1999 |title=They may soon be moving south, but in the standings the Expos are headed north |magazine=] |publisher=] |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1015469/index.htm |access-date=November 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104065245/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1015469/index.htm |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> Vázquez started the season as the team's number three pitcher, but after recording a 6.63 ERA through June, he was sent to the Triple-A ]. Upon his recall after the All-Star break, Vázquez turned things around, winning seven of his final 11 decisions and prompting ESPN to write that he had "turn the corner ... dramatically."<ref>{{cite web |title=Javier Vázquez |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/profiles/profile/5947.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001019065351/http://espn.go.com/mlb/profiles/profile/5947.html |archive-date=October 19, 2000 |access-date=June 12, 2011 |website=]}}</ref> On September 14 against the ], Vázquez tossed his first career shutout.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 14, 1999 |title=Montreal Expos at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, September 14, 1999 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN199909140.shtml |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> He finished the year with 26 starts, going 9–8 with a 5.00 ERA while pitching {{frac|154|2|3}} innings and recording 131 strikeouts.<ref name=":1" /> Vázquez was the losing pitcher when ], of the ], pitched a perfect game against the Expos on July 18, 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 18, 1999 |title=Montreal Expos at New York Yankees Box Score, July 18, 1999 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA199907180.shtml |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
In {{Baseball year|2000}}, Vázquez again began the season as the Expos' number three starter. He was thought of as a promising young pitcher,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Thomsen |first=Ian |date=March 27, 2000 |title=Reversing their old practice, the Expos spent some bucks in hope of contending |magazine=] |publisher=] |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1018714/index.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=November 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126095152/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1018714/index.htm |archive-date=November 26, 2009}}</ref> and pitched the team's third game on April 5 against the Dodgers, striking out five batters while allowing two earned runs on eight hits across seven innings in a 6–5 Expos win.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2000 |title=Los Angeles Dodgers at Montreal Expos Box Score, April 5, 2000 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON200004050.shtml |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> The Expos would win his following three starts and eight of his first eleven leaving the Expos at 27–23 on June 1. In the wake of injuries to pitchers ], ] and ], Vázquez's 2.79 ERA, good for fourth-best in the NL, was noted as a key part to their success.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 1, 2000 |title=Vazquez gets enough support to beat Reds |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/2000/20000601/recap/moncin.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011072942/http://espn.go.com/mlb/2000/20000601/recap/moncin.html |archive-date=October 11, 2008 |access-date=June 12, 2011 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref> After a sweep of the ] and a win against the ], the Expos were at 31–23, good for second place behind the ] in the ], and third in the entire ]. During his June 6 start, under pressure, Vázquez struck out seven batters in six innings, but he also walked four and gave up a home run to ] in an 8–1 loss to the Yankees.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 6, 2000 |title=New York Yankees at Montreal Expos Box Score, June 6, 2000 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON200006060.shtml |access-date=June 12, 2011 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> The Expos would go on to lose seven of their next nine leaving them at 33–31, eighth in the National League. The Expos would finish 67–95, and Vázquez finished his season with an 11–9 record and a 4.05 ERA in 33 starts. He pitched {{frac|217|2|3}} innings, striking out 196 while only walking 61.<ref name=":1" /> Vázquez was later invited to play in the 2000 Japanese All-Star Series.<ref>{{cite web |title=Montreal Expos |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=mon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001018190052/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=mon |archive-date=October 18, 2000 |access-date=June 12, 2011 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
By {{Baseball year|2001}}, Vázquez had become the ace of the Expos pitching staff thought of as a "bright young star and an All-Star for years to come."<ref>{{cite web |title=Javier Vázquez |url=https://www.espn.com/?statsId=5947 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021225170343/http://baseball.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5947 |archive-date=December 25, 2002 |access-date=June 12, 2011 |url-status=live |website=]}}</ref> On April 2, he opened the season in Chicago, pitching {{frac|5|2|3}} innings while striking out five, but he also allowed four earned runs and walked three against the Cubs. The Expos won a close game, 5–4.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 2, 2001 |title=April 2, 2001 Montreal Expos at Chicago Cubs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN200104020.shtml |access-date=June 16, 2011 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref> He pitched better in his next start, the home opener at ], striking out nine without issuing any walks across seven shutout innings in a 10–0 rout of the New York Mets.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 7, 2001 |title=April 7, 2001 New York Mets at Montreal Expos |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON200104070.shtml |access-date=June 16, 2011 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref> Vázquez would finish the season with 16–11 with a 3.42 ERA in 32 starts. In {{frac|223|2|3}} innings pitched, he recorded 208 strikeouts while only walking 44 batters.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
In {{Baseball year|2002}}, Vázquez pitched {{frac|230|1|3}} innings, striking out 179 batters while walking 49. He posted a 10–13 record with a 3.91 ERA in 34 starts.<ref name=":1" /> Despite this, he lost his arbitration case following the season and was awarded $6 million rather than his requested $7.15 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 18, 2003 |title=Expos pick up big win, beat Vazquez in arbitration |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/2003/0218/1510875.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030803160259/http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0218/1510875.html |archive-date=August 3, 2003 |access-date=August 8, 2012 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
In {{Baseball year|2003}}, Vázquez set career-highs with {{frac|230|2|3}} innings pitched and 241 strikeouts. In 32 starts, he was 13–12 with a 3.24 ERA.<ref name=":1" /> Regarded as one of the league's top pitchers, he signaled to then GM ] that he might not resign with the Expos, a team then threatened with ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schoenfield |first=David |date=February 5, 2002 |title=Still 30 teams: Contraction timeline |url=https://assets.espn.go.com/mlb/s/2002/0205/1323230.html |access-date=August 8, 2012 |website=]}}</ref> Later, when asked by '']'' about his experience in Montreal that year, he said it was tough "being over there having no owner. If you needed somebody the last couple years when we were in the hunt, especially last year, we couldn't get a player we needed."<ref name="Chass">{{cite news |last=Chass |first=Murray |date=April 9, 2004 |title=On Baseball; Vazquez Quickly Shows How the 29 Other Teams Are Helping the Yankees |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/09/sports/on-baseball-vazquez-quickly-shows-how-the-29-other-teams-are-helping-the-yankees.html?ref=javiervazquez}}</ref> The article went on to note that for financial reasons the Expos not only couldn't "obtain players from other teams who might have helped the Expos stay in the wild-card race, but the Expos also weren't allowed to call up players from the minor leagues."<ref name="Chass"/> | |||
===New York Yankees (2004)=== | |||
On December 4, 2003, the ] agreed to acquire Vázquez from the Expos in exchange for ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2003 |title=Better armed: Yanks land Vazquez in trade |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1678044 |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=] |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref> He later agreed to a four-year, $45 million deal through the {{Baseball year|2007}} season on January 5, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2004 |title=Right on the money: Vazquez deal worth $45M |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1700328 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040823183035/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1700328 |archive-date=August 23, 2004 |access-date=August 8, 2012 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> Entering the season, ] predicted him as their "consensus pick for the Cy Young".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gleeman |first=Aaron |date=April 5, 2004 |title=THT Staff Predictions |url=https://tht.fangraphs.com/2004_staff_predictions/ |access-date=August 8, 2012 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
After starting the season 9–5 with a 3.50 ERA, Vázquez was named a 2004 All-Star, replacing ] pitcher ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2004 |title=Eight Yankees now on AL roster |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1836614 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050106082511/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1836614 |archive-date=January 6, 2005 |access-date=August 8, 2012 |website=] |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref> However, he struggled in the second half, and finished the season 14–10 with a 4.91 ERA in 32 starts.<ref name=":1" /> His struggles continued in the postseason, including a disappointing performance in Game 7 of the ], where Vázquez pitched two innings of relief, allowing three runs on two hits (both home runs to ]) while walking five batters in a 10–3 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 20, 2004 |title=2004 American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 7, Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees: October 20, 2004 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA200410200.shtml |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
===Arizona Diamondbacks (2005)=== | |||
On January 11, 2005, the Yankees traded Vázquez, ], and ] to the ] in exchange for ].<ref>{{cite web |date=December 30, 2004 |title=Paperwork in place for Johnson-Vazquez trade – MLB |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1955906 |access-date=December 16, 2014 |work=]}}</ref> Johnson, then a 10-time All-Star, had won the National League ] each year from 1999 to 2002 and had finished in second place in Cy Young voting that year (striking out a league high 290 batters with only 44 walks in 245 innings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsra05.shtml |access-date=August 8, 2012 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>) | |||
As Arizona's Opening Day starter,<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 21, 2005 |title=Vazquez more experienced than Ortiz, Melvin said |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1996809 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050309114609/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1996809 |archive-date=March 9, 2005 |access-date=August 8, 2012 |website=] |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref> Vázquez surrendered seven earned runs while striking out two without walking anyone in {{frac|1|2|3}} innings, earning the loss in a 16–6 defeat to the Cubs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2005 |title=Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks Box Score, April 4, 2005 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200504040.shtml |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> In 33 starts overall, he posted an 11–15 record and a 4.42 ERA while striking out 192 batters and walking 46 in {{frac|215|2|3}} innings.<ref name=":1" /> In the month of May, he pitched 46 innings without walking a single batter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Javier Vazquez 2005 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=vazquja01&t=p&year=2005 |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> The stretch was broken at 54 innings in the fifth inning of a June 9 start against the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2005 |title=Minnesota Twins at Arizona Diamondbacks Box Score, June 9, 2005 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200506090.shtml |access-date=August 8, 2012 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
After pitching the 2005 season with Arizona, Vázquez formally requested a trade from the team, asking for a location which was "easier for his family in ] to visit."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2005 |title=D-Backs deal Vazquez to White Sox |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2258626 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219015058/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2258626 |archive-date=February 19, 2006 |access-date=August 8, 2012 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
===Chicago White Sox (2006–2008)=== | |||
] | |||
On December 20, 2005, Vázquez was traded to the Chicago White Sox for ], ], and ].<ref name=":2" /> In his first season with the White Sox, he was 11–12 with a 4.84 ERA in 33 games (32 starts).<ref name=":1" /> | |||
Vázquez agreed to play for the Puerto Rico Team in the ], joining fellow Puerto Rican players ], ], ], amongst others representing the island in a team managed by ] third base coach ]. | |||
For the 2007 season, Vázquez finished with a 15–8 with a 3.74 ERA in 32 starts. He struck out 213 and walked 50 in {{frac|216|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref name=":1" /> He exceeded the 200-strikeout mark for the third time in his career, with the other two occasions being in {{Baseball year|2001}} and 2003.<ref>{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=Dave |title=¡Lo demás es Parking...! |date=September 23, 2007 |publisher=] |location=Puerto Rico |page=142 |language=es |quote=Se trata del lanzador ponceño Javier Vázquez, nuestro mejor pitcher en las Mayores. Ayer gano su decimocuarta decision del año, por tercera vez en su carrera poncha a 200 o mas y en siete temporadas ha lanzado 200 entradas o mas}}</ref> This season was the seventh season in his career where he had thrown at least 200 innings.<ref>{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=Dave |title=¡Lo demás es Parking...! |date=September 23, 2007 |publisher=] |location=Puerto Rico |page=142 |language=es |quote=Vázquez, que en su apertura anterior tiro ocho entradas para ayudar a Chicago a derrotar alos Reales de Kansas City, 11–3, ya tiene en su resume siete temporadas consecutivas sobrepasando las 200 entradas de labor, demostrando ser uno de los pitchers de mayor durabilidad en el beisbol de las mayores.}}</ref> The only season that he was not able to work this quantity of innings was in 2004 when ], then manager of the ] decided to jump some turns in the team's rotation.<ref>{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=Dave |title=¡Lo demás es Parking...! |date=September 23, 2007 |publisher=] |location=Puerto Rico |page=142 |language=es |quote=De hecho de no haber sido porque en el 2004 el dirigente Joe Torre le salto unos turnos en la rotacion de los Yankeesen su unica temporada en Nueva York, el puertoriqueño habria llegado tambien a las 200 entradas y serian al momento ocho años seguidos con igual numero de innings.}}</ref> Vázquez culminated that year with 198 innings.<ref>{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=Dave |title=¡Lo demás es Parking...! |date=September 23, 2007 |publisher=] |location=Puerto Rico |page=142 |language=es |quote=Ese año Vázquez acumulo 198 entradas, apenas dos por debajo de la cifra.}}</ref> When asked about Javier's performance during the season in an interview, White Sox manager ] noted that Vázquez had been throwing well for some time but the team had not been able to capitalize on this until it was too late in the season, specifically referring to the team's performance during the summer.<ref>{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=Dave |title=¡Lo demás es Parking...! |date=September 23, 2007 |publisher=] |location=Puerto Rico |page=142 |language=es |quote="El ha estado tirando asi hace un tiempo y desafortunadamente no hemos podido ganar mas juegos" dijo el dirigente de los Medias Blancas el venezolano Ozzie Guillén. "No hemos jugado lo suficientemente bien para el, para poder ganar mas juegos".}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=Dave |title=¡Lo demás es Parking...! |date=September 23, 2007 |publisher=] |location=Puerto Rico |page=142 |language=es |quote="¿Donde estuvimos durante el verano?", questiono Guillen sobre la labor del equipo en las ultimas semanas.}}</ref> | |||
In 2008, Vázquez posted a 12–16 record and a 4.67 ERA in 33 starts.<ref name=":1" /> In the postseason, he started Game 1 of the ] against the ], allowing six earned runs in {{frac|4|1|3}} innings to earn the loss.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2008 |title=Longoria's two homers help Rays power past ChiSox |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/281002130 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021052924/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/281002130 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=] |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref> The White Sox would later lose the series to the Rays in four games.<ref name=":3" /> | |||
===Atlanta Braves (2009)=== | |||
] in 2009]] | |||
On December 4, 2008, Vázquez was traded along with ] to the ] for minor league catcher ], shortstop ], third baseman Jon Gilmore and pitcher Santos Rodriguez.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 4, 2008 |title=Braves acquire pitchers Javier Vázquez and Boone Logan from White Sox |url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081204&content_id=3701741&vkey=pr_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205235136/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081204&content_id=3701741&vkey=pr_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl |archive-date=December 5, 2008 |access-date=January 10, 2009 |work=] |publisher=]}}</ref> With the Braves in 2009, Vázquez had perhaps his most successful season, as he went 15–10 with a 2.87 ERA in 32 starts to go along with 238 strikeouts and 44 walks in {{frac|219|1|3}} innings.<ref name=":1" /> He also led the majors in sacrifice hits, with 20.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 Major League Baseball Batting Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/2009-batting-leaders.shtml |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
Vázquez came in fourth place in the voting for the 2009 NL ] after the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 Awards Voting |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_2009.shtml |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
===Second stint with the New York Yankees=== | |||
] | |||
On December 22, 2009, the ] re-acquired Vázquez, this time from the Braves with LHP ], in exchange for OF ], LHP ] and pitching prospect ].<ref>{{cite web |date=December 22, 2009 |title=Yankees acquire pitcher Javier Vázquez from Braves for Melky Cabera, Prospects |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4764085 |access-date=December 22, 2009 |work=]}}</ref> At this time, he was thought of as "one of the top starters in all of baseball"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Novick |first=Dan |date=December 22, 2009 |title=Implications of the Vazquez deal |url=https://tht.fangraphs.com/tht-live/implications-of-the-vazquez-deal/ |access-date=August 8, 2012 |website=]}}</ref> after what was thought of as being one of the best<ref>{{cite news |last=Spector |first=Jesse |date=December 22, 2009 |title=A very different Javier Vazquez trade for Yankees |work=] |location=New York |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/touchingbase/2009/12/a-very-different-javier-vazque.html |url-status=dead |access-date=November 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102223825/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/touchingbase/2009/12/a-very-different-javier-vazque.html |archive-date=November 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 22, 2009 |title=Vazquez sent to Yanks for Cabrera |magazine=] |publisher=] |agency=] |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/12/22/vazquez/index.html |url-status=dead |access-date=September 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921040011/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/12/22/vazquez/index.html |archive-date=September 21, 2011}}</ref> if not the best statistical seasons by a pitcher in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carty |first=Derek |date=June 1, 2009 |title=The best pitcher of 2009 is… |url=https://tht.fangraphs.com/the-best-pitcher-of-2009-is/ |access-date=August 16, 2012 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
On July 21, 2010, Vázquez became the third active pitcher to beat all 30 MLB teams along with ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Britton |first=Tim |date=July 21, 2010 |title=Opportunistic Yanks hold off Angels |work=] |publisher=] |url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100721&content_id=12476438&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy |url-status=dead |access-date=August 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403005952/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100721&content_id=12476438&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy |archive-date=April 3, 2012}}</ref> After struggling in August, the Yankees temporarily demoted Vázquez to the bullpen.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hoch |first=Bryan |date=August 24, 2010 |title=Vazquez to 'pen for now; Nova up Sunday |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100824&content_id=13862910¬ebook_id=13862912&vkey=notebook_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828201145/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100824&content_id=13862910¬ebook_id=13862912&vkey=notebook_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy |archive-date=August 28, 2010 |access-date=August 25, 2010 |work=] |publisher=]}}</ref> In his second-to-last appearance of the season on September 23, 2010, he came into the game in relief against the Rays and proceeded to ] three batters in a row (tying a big-league record), while the Rays went on to score two runs on no hits.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 23, 2010 |title=Rays pull within half-game of Yankees |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/300923110 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021052923/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/300923110 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=] |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref> Vázquez finished the regular season with a 10–10 record and an ERA of 5.32 in 31 games (26 starts).<ref name=":1" /> | |||
Due to his struggles in the regular season, the Yankees once again demoted Vázquez to the bullpen for him to be on the postseason roster. The Yankees won the ] against the ] in three games, but lost to the ] in the ] in six games. Vázquez became a free agent after the season. | |||
===Florida Marlins (2011)=== | |||
On November 28, 2010, Vázquez reached an agreement on a one-year, $7 million contract with the ].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Heyman |first=Jon |date=November 28, 2010 |title=Marlins sign Vazquez to 1-year deal |magazine=] |publisher=] |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/11/28/marlins.javier.vazquez/ |url-status=dead |access-date=November 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103163350/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/11/28/marlins.javier.vazquez/ |archive-date=November 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 28, 2010 |title=Marlins sign P Vazquez |url=http://archive.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=165532 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140430204643/http://archive.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=165532 |archive-date=April 30, 2014 |access-date=April 30, 2014 |website=]}}</ref> The deal was finalized on December 2.<ref>{{cite news |last=Frisaro |first=Joe |date=December 2, 2010 |title=Vazquez formally joins Marlins' fold |work=] |publisher=] |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101202&content_id=16239808&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |access-date=December 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208073214/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101202&content_id=16239808&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |archive-date=December 8, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=December 2, 2010 |title=Vazquez and Marlins finalize $7M agreement |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/dec/2/vazquez-and-marlins-finalize-7m-agreement/ |access-date=December 3, 2010 |website=] |publisher=] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 2, 2010 |title=Javier Vazquez finalizes one-year deal |work=] |publisher=] |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5874491 |access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> He began the season by going 3–6 with a 7.09 ERA through his first 13 games. After that, he went 10–5 with a 1.92 ERA the rest of the way.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Javier Vazquez 2011 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=vazquja01&t=p&year=2011 |access-date=August 16, 2012 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
He made his first start for the Marlins on April 3 against the Mets, allowing seven runs (four earned) on six hits while walking five in a shortened 2.1 inning start.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 3, 2011 |title=R.A. Dickey strikes out seven as Mets win series vs. Marlins |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/310403128 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021052922/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/310403128 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=] |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref> In his first interleague start against the Rays, he struck out seven batters in seven innings while walking two in a 5–3 win in what was called his "best start of the year."<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 21, 2011 |title=Javier Vazquez solid as Marlins edge Rays |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/310521128 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021052921/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/310521128 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |access-date=August 16, 2012 |website=] |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref> Following this start, he continued to pitch well, striking out 20 and walking five (one intentional)<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2011 |title=Kelly Johnson, Diamondbacks send Marlins to ninth loss in 10 games |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310611128 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617073343/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310611128 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 17, 2011 |access-date=August 16, 2012 |website=] |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref> in {{frac|19|2|3}} innings in games at Los Angeles, Arizona and Florida.<ref name=":4" /> At the end of the season, Vázquez had a 29-inning scoreless streak, the longest in Marlins history, during which he struck out 28 batters while only walking four.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Capozzi |first=Joe |date=September 21, 2011 |title=Javier Vazquez's scoreless streak hits 25 innings in Marlins' 4-0 win over Braves |url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/marlins/javier-vazquezs-scoreless-streak-hits-25-innings-in-1872123.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925114821/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/marlins/javier-vazquezs-scoreless-streak-hits-25-innings-in-1872123.html |archive-date=September 25, 2011 |access-date=August 16, 2012 |website=]}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2011 |title=Bryan Petersen hits a walk-off blast to give Javier Vazquez the win |url=http://espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310927128 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025041615/http://espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310927128 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 25, 2011 |access-date=August 16, 2012 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
In his final game as a pitcher on September 27, Vázquez went the distance against the ]. He allowed five hits and two runs while striking out nine batters on 97 pitches as the Marlins rallied in the ninth to win 3–2.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2011 |title=Washington Nationals at Florida Marlins Box Score, September 27, 2011 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/FLO/FLO201109270.shtml |website=]}}</ref> In his final season, Vázquez posted a 13–11 record and a 3.69 ERA in 32 starts.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
==Pitching style== | |||
Vázquez threw from a three-quarters arm slot with "good command of a running/sinking ]"<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=April 3, 2011 |title=Scouting Report Javier Vazquez |url=http://longlivesheastadium.blogspot.com/2011/04/scouting-report-javier-vazquez.html |access-date=August 16, 2012 |website=Long Live Shea Stadium}}</ref> that, according to ], overall averaged 91 mph.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Javier Vazquez - Stats - Pitching {{!}} FanGraphs Baseball |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/javier-vazquez/801/stats?position=P |access-date=August 16, 2012 |website=]}}</ref> According to Josh Kalk of ]. his fastball was "over 93 mph on average" in his peak. Kalk considered this particularly impressive considering his arm angle noting that "normally pitchers who have a very low release point sacrifice speed and vertical movement for horizontal movement." Kalk went on to note that Vázquez's fastball averaged nine inches of vertical movement "thanks to an exceptionally high spin rate on his fastball."<ref name="hardballtimes.com">{{Cite web |last=Kalk |first=Josh |date=December 9, 2008 |title=The engima that is Javier Vazquez |url=https://tht.fangraphs.com/the-engima-that-is-javier-vazquez/ |access-date=August 16, 2012 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
He also threw a "tight" slider which averaged 83 mph and "a big breaking curve-ball" which averaged 74 mph. His ] was thought to be especially difficult to hit; in 2004, ] called it the "best breaking ball I've seen; ] doesn't throw it better you don't know where it's going to land. He changes speeds with the breaking ball. He throws it hard. He throws it at you. He knows how to set you up."<ref name="Chass"/> Kalk called it a "slurvy curve with huge horizontal movement and little vertical drop" noting that he "can add and subtract from a pitch that can like anything from one of his better sliders to a 65 mph beast with massive horizontal and vertical movement."<ref name="hardballtimes.com"/> Poet ] once wrote that "Javier Vázquez's curvepiece makes me a Better Man"<ref>{{cite news |last=Cistulli |first=Carson |date=September 29, 2009 |title=A very zealous game report: Florida at Cincinnati |work=] |url=http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/a-very-zealous-game-report-florida-at-cincinnati/}}</ref> | |||
He featured two types of ]s: "one that darts like a ] and one that resembles a ]".<ref>{{cite news |last=Curry |first=Jack |date=March 2, 2004 |title=BASEBALL; Vazquez Seems Ready for Number to Come Up |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/02/sports/baseball-vazquez-seems-ready-for-number-to-come-up.html?ref=javiervazquez}}</ref> Kalk noted an 11 mph difference between his fastball and changeup, FanGraphs a 10.5 mph average for his career (90.9 mph compared to 80.4 mph). | |||
===Fastball velocity=== | |||
Baseball writer ] writes in his piece "Javier Vázquez's Fastball Is Probably Not Coming Back" that beginning in 2010, Vazquez's fastball dropped from 91 mph to 89 mph and that "given his career workload, I wouldn’t bet on Vazquez's fastball ever coming back."<ref>{{cite news |last=Cameron |first=Dave |date=November 29, 2010 |title=Javier Vazquez's Fastball Is Probably Not Coming Back |work=] |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/javier-vazquezs-fastball-is-probably-not-coming-back/}}</ref> In May, 2011, the '']'' noted that while Vázquez's velocity had been down, "now it is registering in the low 90s. When one fastball snapped his glove Friday, ] said he glanced up at the reading on the Dodger Stadium scoreboard and saw 94."<ref>{{cite news |last=Spencer |first=Clark |date=May 29, 2011 |title=Second strong start in a row suggests Javier Vazquez belongs with Marlins |work=] |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/29/2240705/second-strong-start-in-a-row-suggests.html}} {{Dead link|date=October 2022}}</ref> In June 2011, Joe Frisaro confirmed that his velocity had "increased" and that Vazquez's fastball was topping out "at a season-high 94 mph".<ref>{{cite news |last=Frisaro |first=Joe |date=June 11, 2011 |title=Trio of Marlins homers not enough for Javy |work=] |publisher=] |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110611&content_id=20365132&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla}} {{Dead link|date=October 2022}}</ref> | |||
This was statistically confirmed in September by Eric Seidman: "from June 11 until now, Vazquez threw his fastball 53 percent of the time, and the pitch averaged 91.1 mph, right in line with his career".<ref>{{cite news |last=Seidman |first=Eric |date=September 14, 2011 |title=Vazquez and Velocity |work=] |url=http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/vazquez-and-velocity/}}</ref> | |||
==Post-baseball career== | |||
Vázquez was hired as an international special assistant to ] executive director ] on April 30, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 30, 2014 |title=MLBPA hires Javier Vazquez |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/10862877/javier-vazquez-hired-international-special-assistant-baseball-players-union-head-tony-clark |access-date=April 30, 2014 |work=] |agency=]}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|Puerto Rico}} | |||
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==References== | |||
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{Commons category}} | |||
* - Profile and daily updates | |||
{{Baseballstats |mlb=134320 |espn=3786 |br=v/vazquja01 |fangraphs=801}} | |||
* - Career statistics and analysis | |||
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{{Montreal Expos Opening Day starting pitchers}} | |||
{{Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day starting pitchers}} | |||
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{{Puerto Rico roster 2009 World Baseball Classic}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 06:43, 19 October 2024
Puerto Rican baseball player (born 1976)Baseball player
Javier Vázquez | |
---|---|
Vázquez with the Braves in 2009 | |
Pitcher | |
Born: (1976-07-25) July 25, 1976 (age 48) Ponce, Puerto Rico | |
Batted: RightThrew: Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 3, 1998, for the Montreal Expos | |
Last MLB appearance | |
September 27, 2011, for the Florida Marlins | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 165–160 |
Earned run average | 4.22 |
Strikeouts | 2,536 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
Javier Carlos Vázquez (born July 25, 1976) is a Puerto Rican former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He played for the Montreal Expos (1998–2003), New York Yankees (2004, 2010), Arizona Diamondbacks (2005), Chicago White Sox (2006–2008), Atlanta Braves (2009), and Florida Marlins (2011).
Personal life
Vázquez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Vázquez is married to Kamille Vázquez. They have three children: Kamila, Javier Josué, and Kariana. Vázquez claims that he dislikes being the center of attention outside of the playing field and describes himself as a 'house man' spending his free time with his children. Vázquez is also interested in art pieces especially the ones that are produced by Puerto Rican artists and he possesses paintings by Wichie Torres and Iván Rosario. Vázquez has also expressed that he has always been interested in charity work, this interest was fueled by his parents as he states that a Christian upbringing and their support when he began practicing sports were part of this influence.
Professional career
Minor Leagues
Vázquez was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 1994 MLB draft. The same year, he began his professional career with the team's Rookie-level club in West Palm Beach, Florida, the GCL Expos. In 15 games (11 starts), Vázquez went 5–2 with a 2.53 ERA. He struck out 56 batters while walking 15 in a team-leading 67+2⁄3 innings pitched. In 1995, he was promoted to the Single-A Albany Polecats, where he finished 6–6 with a 5.08 ERA in 21 starts. In 102+2⁄3 innings pitched, he struck out 87 batters, but also walked 47. In 1996, while with the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds, Vázquez went 14–3 with a 2.68 ERA in 27 starts. He pitched 164+1⁄3 innings with a team-leading 173 strikeouts and 57 walks. The following year, Vázquez started the season with the High-A West Palm Beach Expos, going 6–3 with a 2.16 ERA in 19 starts while striking out 100 and walking 28 in 112+2⁄3 innings. He was later promoted to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, where he posted a perfect 4–0 record and a 1.07 ERA in six starts. In 42 innings pitched with Harrisburg, Vázquez struck out 47 batters and walked 12.
Montreal Expos (1998–2003)
Vázquez made his Major League debut for the Expos on April 3, 1998, against the Chicago Cubs, pitching five innings of three-run ball in the 6–2 loss. He picked up his first win on May 1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing three earned runs in 6+2⁄3 innings while striking out eight. He finished his rookie season appearing in 33 games (32 starts), compiling a 5–15 record and a 6.06 ERA. Vázquez pitched 172+1⁄3 innings, striking out 139 batters while walking 68.
In 1999, as part of a young Expos rotation of "twentysomething", "tall", "power" pitchers Vázquez started the season as the team's number three pitcher, but after recording a 6.63 ERA through June, he was sent to the Triple-A Ottawa Lynx. Upon his recall after the All-Star break, Vázquez turned things around, winning seven of his final 11 decisions and prompting ESPN to write that he had "turn the corner ... dramatically." On September 14 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Vázquez tossed his first career shutout. He finished the year with 26 starts, going 9–8 with a 5.00 ERA while pitching 154+2⁄3 innings and recording 131 strikeouts. Vázquez was the losing pitcher when David Cone, of the New York Yankees, pitched a perfect game against the Expos on July 18, 1999.
In 2000, Vázquez again began the season as the Expos' number three starter. He was thought of as a promising young pitcher, and pitched the team's third game on April 5 against the Dodgers, striking out five batters while allowing two earned runs on eight hits across seven innings in a 6–5 Expos win. The Expos would win his following three starts and eight of his first eleven leaving the Expos at 27–23 on June 1. In the wake of injuries to pitchers Matt Blank, Mike Thurman and Hideki Irabu, Vázquez's 2.79 ERA, good for fourth-best in the NL, was noted as a key part to their success. After a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles and a win against the New York Yankees, the Expos were at 31–23, good for second place behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, and third in the entire National League. During his June 6 start, under pressure, Vázquez struck out seven batters in six innings, but he also walked four and gave up a home run to Bernie Williams in an 8–1 loss to the Yankees. The Expos would go on to lose seven of their next nine leaving them at 33–31, eighth in the National League. The Expos would finish 67–95, and Vázquez finished his season with an 11–9 record and a 4.05 ERA in 33 starts. He pitched 217+2⁄3 innings, striking out 196 while only walking 61. Vázquez was later invited to play in the 2000 Japanese All-Star Series.
By 2001, Vázquez had become the ace of the Expos pitching staff thought of as a "bright young star and an All-Star for years to come." On April 2, he opened the season in Chicago, pitching 5+2⁄3 innings while striking out five, but he also allowed four earned runs and walked three against the Cubs. The Expos won a close game, 5–4. He pitched better in his next start, the home opener at Olympic Stadium, striking out nine without issuing any walks across seven shutout innings in a 10–0 rout of the New York Mets. Vázquez would finish the season with 16–11 with a 3.42 ERA in 32 starts. In 223+2⁄3 innings pitched, he recorded 208 strikeouts while only walking 44 batters.
In 2002, Vázquez pitched 230+1⁄3 innings, striking out 179 batters while walking 49. He posted a 10–13 record with a 3.91 ERA in 34 starts. Despite this, he lost his arbitration case following the season and was awarded $6 million rather than his requested $7.15 million.
In 2003, Vázquez set career-highs with 230+2⁄3 innings pitched and 241 strikeouts. In 32 starts, he was 13–12 with a 3.24 ERA. Regarded as one of the league's top pitchers, he signaled to then GM Omar Minaya that he might not resign with the Expos, a team then threatened with contraction. Later, when asked by The New York Times about his experience in Montreal that year, he said it was tough "being over there having no owner. If you needed somebody the last couple years when we were in the hunt, especially last year, we couldn't get a player we needed." The article went on to note that for financial reasons the Expos not only couldn't "obtain players from other teams who might have helped the Expos stay in the wild-card race, but the Expos also weren't allowed to call up players from the minor leagues."
New York Yankees (2004)
On December 4, 2003, the New York Yankees agreed to acquire Vázquez from the Expos in exchange for Nick Johnson, Juan Rivera and Randy Choate. He later agreed to a four-year, $45 million deal through the 2007 season on January 5, 2004. Entering the season, The Hardball Times predicted him as their "consensus pick for the Cy Young".
After starting the season 9–5 with a 3.50 ERA, Vázquez was named a 2004 All-Star, replacing Oakland Athletics pitcher Tim Hudson. However, he struggled in the second half, and finished the season 14–10 with a 4.91 ERA in 32 starts. His struggles continued in the postseason, including a disappointing performance in Game 7 of the 2004 American League Championship Series, where Vázquez pitched two innings of relief, allowing three runs on two hits (both home runs to Johnny Damon) while walking five batters in a 10–3 loss.
Arizona Diamondbacks (2005)
On January 11, 2005, the Yankees traded Vázquez, Brad Halsey, and Dioner Navarro to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Randy Johnson. Johnson, then a 10-time All-Star, had won the National League Cy Young Award each year from 1999 to 2002 and had finished in second place in Cy Young voting that year (striking out a league high 290 batters with only 44 walks in 245 innings.)
As Arizona's Opening Day starter, Vázquez surrendered seven earned runs while striking out two without walking anyone in 1+2⁄3 innings, earning the loss in a 16–6 defeat to the Cubs. In 33 starts overall, he posted an 11–15 record and a 4.42 ERA while striking out 192 batters and walking 46 in 215+2⁄3 innings. In the month of May, he pitched 46 innings without walking a single batter. The stretch was broken at 54 innings in the fifth inning of a June 9 start against the Minnesota Twins.
After pitching the 2005 season with Arizona, Vázquez formally requested a trade from the team, asking for a location which was "easier for his family in Puerto Rico to visit."
Chicago White Sox (2006–2008)
On December 20, 2005, Vázquez was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Orlando Hernández, Luis Vizcaíno, and Chris Young. In his first season with the White Sox, he was 11–12 with a 4.84 ERA in 33 games (32 starts).
Vázquez agreed to play for the Puerto Rico Team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, joining fellow Puerto Rican players Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltrán, Bernie Williams, amongst others representing the island in a team managed by St. Louis Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo.
For the 2007 season, Vázquez finished with a 15–8 with a 3.74 ERA in 32 starts. He struck out 213 and walked 50 in 216+2⁄3 innings pitched. He exceeded the 200-strikeout mark for the third time in his career, with the other two occasions being in 2001 and 2003. This season was the seventh season in his career where he had thrown at least 200 innings. The only season that he was not able to work this quantity of innings was in 2004 when Joe Torre, then manager of the New York Yankees decided to jump some turns in the team's rotation. Vázquez culminated that year with 198 innings. When asked about Javier's performance during the season in an interview, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén noted that Vázquez had been throwing well for some time but the team had not been able to capitalize on this until it was too late in the season, specifically referring to the team's performance during the summer.
In 2008, Vázquez posted a 12–16 record and a 4.67 ERA in 33 starts. In the postseason, he started Game 1 of the 2008 American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing six earned runs in 4+1⁄3 innings to earn the loss. The White Sox would later lose the series to the Rays in four games.
Atlanta Braves (2009)
On December 4, 2008, Vázquez was traded along with Boone Logan to the Atlanta Braves for minor league catcher Tyler Flowers, shortstop Brent Lillibridge, third baseman Jon Gilmore and pitcher Santos Rodriguez. With the Braves in 2009, Vázquez had perhaps his most successful season, as he went 15–10 with a 2.87 ERA in 32 starts to go along with 238 strikeouts and 44 walks in 219+1⁄3 innings. He also led the majors in sacrifice hits, with 20.
Vázquez came in fourth place in the voting for the 2009 NL Cy Young Award after the season.
Second stint with the New York Yankees
On December 22, 2009, the New York Yankees re-acquired Vázquez, this time from the Braves with LHP Boone Logan, in exchange for OF Melky Cabrera, LHP Mike Dunn and pitching prospect Arodys Vizcaíno. At this time, he was thought of as "one of the top starters in all of baseball" after what was thought of as being one of the best if not the best statistical seasons by a pitcher in 2009.
On July 21, 2010, Vázquez became the third active pitcher to beat all 30 MLB teams along with Barry Zito and Jamie Moyer. After struggling in August, the Yankees temporarily demoted Vázquez to the bullpen. In his second-to-last appearance of the season on September 23, 2010, he came into the game in relief against the Rays and proceeded to hit three batters in a row (tying a big-league record), while the Rays went on to score two runs on no hits. Vázquez finished the regular season with a 10–10 record and an ERA of 5.32 in 31 games (26 starts).
Due to his struggles in the regular season, the Yankees once again demoted Vázquez to the bullpen for him to be on the postseason roster. The Yankees won the 2010 ALDS against the Minnesota Twins in three games, but lost to the Texas Rangers in the 2010 ALCS in six games. Vázquez became a free agent after the season.
Florida Marlins (2011)
On November 28, 2010, Vázquez reached an agreement on a one-year, $7 million contract with the Florida Marlins. The deal was finalized on December 2. He began the season by going 3–6 with a 7.09 ERA through his first 13 games. After that, he went 10–5 with a 1.92 ERA the rest of the way.
He made his first start for the Marlins on April 3 against the Mets, allowing seven runs (four earned) on six hits while walking five in a shortened 2.1 inning start. In his first interleague start against the Rays, he struck out seven batters in seven innings while walking two in a 5–3 win in what was called his "best start of the year." Following this start, he continued to pitch well, striking out 20 and walking five (one intentional) in 19+2⁄3 innings in games at Los Angeles, Arizona and Florida. At the end of the season, Vázquez had a 29-inning scoreless streak, the longest in Marlins history, during which he struck out 28 batters while only walking four.
In his final game as a pitcher on September 27, Vázquez went the distance against the Washington Nationals. He allowed five hits and two runs while striking out nine batters on 97 pitches as the Marlins rallied in the ninth to win 3–2. In his final season, Vázquez posted a 13–11 record and a 3.69 ERA in 32 starts.
Pitching style
Vázquez threw from a three-quarters arm slot with "good command of a running/sinking fastball" that, according to FanGraphs, overall averaged 91 mph. According to Josh Kalk of The Hardball Times. his fastball was "over 93 mph on average" in his peak. Kalk considered this particularly impressive considering his arm angle noting that "normally pitchers who have a very low release point sacrifice speed and vertical movement for horizontal movement." Kalk went on to note that Vázquez's fastball averaged nine inches of vertical movement "thanks to an exceptionally high spin rate on his fastball."
He also threw a "tight" slider which averaged 83 mph and "a big breaking curve-ball" which averaged 74 mph. His curveball was thought to be especially difficult to hit; in 2004, Sandy Alomar Jr. called it the "best breaking ball I've seen; Bert Blyleven doesn't throw it better you don't know where it's going to land. He changes speeds with the breaking ball. He throws it hard. He throws it at you. He knows how to set you up." Kalk called it a "slurvy curve with huge horizontal movement and little vertical drop" noting that he "can add and subtract from a pitch that can like anything from one of his better sliders to a 65 mph beast with massive horizontal and vertical movement." Poet Carson Cistulli once wrote that "Javier Vázquez's curvepiece makes me a Better Man"
He featured two types of changeups: "one that darts like a cutter and one that resembles a screwball". Kalk noted an 11 mph difference between his fastball and changeup, FanGraphs a 10.5 mph average for his career (90.9 mph compared to 80.4 mph).
Fastball velocity
Baseball writer Dave Cameron writes in his piece "Javier Vázquez's Fastball Is Probably Not Coming Back" that beginning in 2010, Vazquez's fastball dropped from 91 mph to 89 mph and that "given his career workload, I wouldn’t bet on Vazquez's fastball ever coming back." In May, 2011, the Miami Herald noted that while Vázquez's velocity had been down, "now it is registering in the low 90s. When one fastball snapped his glove Friday, Buck said he glanced up at the reading on the Dodger Stadium scoreboard and saw 94." In June 2011, Joe Frisaro confirmed that his velocity had "increased" and that Vazquez's fastball was topping out "at a season-high 94 mph".
This was statistically confirmed in September by Eric Seidman: "from June 11 until now, Vazquez threw his fastball 53 percent of the time, and the pitch averaged 91.1 mph, right in line with his career".
Post-baseball career
Vázquez was hired as an international special assistant to Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark on April 30, 2014.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball annual shutout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career games started leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico
References
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Se trata del lanzador ponceño Javier Vázquez, nuestro mejor pitcher en las Mayores. Ayer gano su decimocuarta decision del año, por tercera vez en su carrera poncha a 200 o mas y en siete temporadas ha lanzado 200 entradas o mas
- Campbell, Dave (September 23, 2007). ¡Lo demás es Parking...! (in Spanish). Puerto Rico: El Nuevo Día. p. 142.
Vázquez, que en su apertura anterior tiro ocho entradas para ayudar a Chicago a derrotar alos Reales de Kansas City, 11–3, ya tiene en su resume siete temporadas consecutivas sobrepasando las 200 entradas de labor, demostrando ser uno de los pitchers de mayor durabilidad en el beisbol de las mayores.
- Campbell, Dave (September 23, 2007). ¡Lo demás es Parking...! (in Spanish). Puerto Rico: El Nuevo Día. p. 142.
De hecho de no haber sido porque en el 2004 el dirigente Joe Torre le salto unos turnos en la rotacion de los Yankeesen su unica temporada en Nueva York, el puertoriqueño habria llegado tambien a las 200 entradas y serian al momento ocho años seguidos con igual numero de innings.
- Campbell, Dave (September 23, 2007). ¡Lo demás es Parking...! (in Spanish). Puerto Rico: El Nuevo Día. p. 142.
Ese año Vázquez acumulo 198 entradas, apenas dos por debajo de la cifra.
- Campbell, Dave (September 23, 2007). ¡Lo demás es Parking...! (in Spanish). Puerto Rico: El Nuevo Día. p. 142.
"El ha estado tirando asi hace un tiempo y desafortunadamente no hemos podido ganar mas juegos" dijo el dirigente de los Medias Blancas el venezolano Ozzie Guillén. "No hemos jugado lo suficientemente bien para el, para poder ganar mas juegos".
- Campbell, Dave (September 23, 2007). ¡Lo demás es Parking...! (in Spanish). Puerto Rico: El Nuevo Día. p. 142.
"¿Donde estuvimos durante el verano?", questiono Guillen sobre la labor del equipo en las ultimas semanas.
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External links
- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs
Awards and achievements | ||
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Preceded byGreg Maddux Cliff Lee |
National League Pitcher of the Month August 2001 September 2011 |
Succeeded byWoody Williams Stephen Strasburg |
Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day starting pitchers | |
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Puerto Rico roster – 2006 World Baseball Classic | |
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Puerto Rico roster – 2009 World Baseball Classic | |
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- 1976 births
- Living people
- Albany Polecats players
- American League All-Stars
- Arizona Diamondbacks players
- Atlanta Braves players
- Chicago White Sox players
- Delmarva Shorebirds players
- Florida Marlins players
- Gulf Coast Expos players
- Harrisburg Senators players
- Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Montreal Expos players
- New York Yankees players
- Ottawa Lynx players
- Puerto Rican expatriate baseball players in Canada
- Baseball players from Ponce, Puerto Rico
- West Palm Beach Expos players
- 2006 World Baseball Classic players
- 2009 World Baseball Classic players