Rafael Belliard

Infobox MLB retired
name = Rafael Belliard


width =
caption =
position = Shortstop
birthdate = birth date and age|1961|10|24
deathdate =
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = September 6
debutyear = by|1982
debutteam = Pittsburgh Pirates
finaldate = April 9
finalyear = by|1998
finalteam = Atlanta Braves
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .221
stat2label = Hits
stat2value = 508
stat3label = Sacrifice hits
stat3value = 58
teams =
* Pittsburgh Pirates (by|1982–by|1990)
* Atlanta Braves (by|1991–by|1998)

Rafael Leonidas Belliard Matias (born October 24, 1961, in Pueblo Nuevo, Dominican Republic) is a former Major League Baseball backup shortstop. First signed to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1980, he was eventually traded to the Atlanta Braves in 1991 for their breakout National League Champion year. Belliard is best remembered in the minds of Atlantans for his classic line "tomahawkin" and pioneered the Tomahawk Buzzcut.

Despite playing in 17 major league seasons, Rafael only amassed two career home runs. He played more than 100 games only four times in his career (1986, 1988, 1991, and 1992). However, among Braves fans, he was a valued middle infielder with a quick glove and above average bunting ability. "Raffy" as he was called, was an Atlanta fan favorite. He was also known for being the smallest player in all of major league baseball during his career. His cousin, Ronnie Belliard, currently plays for the Washington Nationals.

He is currently the infield coach for the Detroit Tigers under Manager Jim Leyland.

Trivia

*In addition to "Raffy," he was also nicknamed "Pac-man" for his ability to gobble up ground balls.
*Twice appeared in the National League Top 10 in sacrifice hits (1986 and 1992).
*He was a member of the Braves team that defeated the Cleveland Indians in the 1995 World Series. During the series, he executed a perfect suicide squeeze bunt in game one to score what would prove the winning run. He also made a dazzling running catch of a Kenny Lofton pop foul in the ninth inning of game six.
*He also played for the Aguilas Cibaeñas in the Professional baseball in the Dominican Republic.

External links