José Valverde

Infobox MLB player


width = 150px
name=José Valverde
positionplain=Relief pitcher
team=Houston Astros
number=47
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=date of birth and age|1979|7|24
city-state|San Pedro de Macoris|Dominican Republic
debutdate=June 1
debutyear=2003
debutteam=Arizona Diamondbacks
statyear=October 1, 2008
stat1label=Win-Loss
stat1value=15-17
stat2label=Saves
stat2value=142
stat4label=Strikeouts
stat4value=414
stat3label=Earned run average
stat3value=3.31
teams=
*Arizona Diamondbacks (by|2003-by|2007)
*Houston Astros (by|2008-present)
awards=
* All-Star selection (2007)
* 2007 NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year

José Rafael Valverde (born July 24, 1979 in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic) is a pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros. His nickname is Papa Grande or Big Papa.

He throws both 2 and 4 seam fastballs, splitter, and a slider.

Valverde made his Major League Baseball debut in 2003 to help out the injury plagued Diamondbacks, joining Brandon Webb and Andrew Good after injuries to Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling left the team out of contention.

Although he had been the Diamondbacks' closer since replacing Brian Bruney in 2005, trouble on the mound in the month of June 2006 forced management to give the role to Jorge Julio. Valverde regained the role after spending some time with the Diamondbacks' AAA affiliate, the Tucson Sidewinders. He returned to the closer role in early September (as Julio became too inconsistent) and pitched well in his return. Valverde finished the 2006 season with a record of 2 wins, 3 losses, an ERA of 5.84 and 18 saves.

On June 23, 2007, Valverde passed Matt Mantei as the Diamondbacks all-time saves leader, with his 75th, a perfect ninth against the Baltimore Orioles.

Valverde made the 2007 MLB All-Star Game as a closer for Arizona.

Until he was traded during the 2007 offseason, Valverde was the Diamondbacks' closer, and led all of Major League Baseball in Saves (47 of 54) during the 2007 Regular Season. He has never started a professional game.

When José enters into the game, a brief video set to Percy Rodrigues's opening narration of the trailer from Jaws plays on the Minute Maid Park screen, leading into a montage of his best moments as an Astro backed by the Saliva song Ladies and Gentlemen.

On September 25, 2007, Valverde was named as one of 10 finalist for the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award."

On December 14, 2007, Valverde was traded to the Houston Astros for pitchers Chad Qualls, Juan Gutiérrez and IF/OF Chris Burke.

He finished the year in Houston with 44 saves in 51 chances, a 6-4 record, 83 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.38. He led the NL in saves and was second overall in converted saves for 2008.

Personal

Born in El Seibo, Dominican Republic, he stands 6'4" tall and weighs 255 lbs. He has a wife and a newborn girl.

During Game 3 of the 2007 NLDS, Ron Santo referred to Valverde as a "Hot Dog with Mustard".

Contrary to many who think he is Hispanic, he is actually black. This has lead to many calling him a black Mariano Rivera.

ee also

* Arizona Diamondbacks all-time roster
* List of Major League Baseball saves champions
* List of players from Dominican Republic in Major League BaseballHe enjoys playing pool with his friends and family on his off days.

External links