Ugueth Urbina

Infobox MLB retired
name=Ugueth Urbina
position=Relief pitcher
birthdate =birth date and age|1974|2|15
Caracas, Venezuela
bats=Right
throws=Right
debutteam=Montreal Expos
debutdate=May 9
debutyear=by|1995
finaldate=October 2
finalyear=by|2005
finalteam=Philadelphia Phillies
stat1label=Win-Loss record
stat1value=44-49
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=3.45
stat3label=Saves
stat3value=237
teams=
* Montreal Expos (by|1995-by|2001)
* Boston Red Sox (by|2001-by|2002)
* Texas Rangers (by|2003)
* Florida Marlins (by|2003)
* Detroit Tigers (by|2004-by|2005)
* Philadelphia Phillies (by|2005)
highlights=
* 2x All-Star selection (1998, 2002)
* World Series champion (2003)
* Led the NL in saves in 1999 with 41Infobox Criminal
subject_name = Ugueth Urtaín Urbina Villarreal


image_size =
image_caption =
date_of_birth = birth date and age|1974|2|15
place_of_birth = Caracas, Venezuela
date_of_death =
place_of_death =
alias =
charge = Attempted murder, illegal deprivation of liberty
conviction = Found guilty on March 282007
penalty = 14 years in prison
status = In custody
occupation =
spouse =
parents =
children =

Ugueth Urtaín Urbina Villarreal (pronounced|uˈgɛt urˈbinə) (born (February 15, 1974 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. A two-time All-Star, Urbina led the National League in saves with 41 in the mlby|1999 season and helped the Florida Marlins win the 2003 World Series.

Playing career

In 11 major league seasons, Urbina compiled a 44-49 record with 237 saves, 814 strikeouts, and a 3.45 ERA. He played with the Montreal Expos (mlby|1995-mlby|2001), Boston Red Sox (2001-mlby|2002), Texas Rangers (mlby|2003), Florida Marlins (2003), Detroit Tigers (mlby|2004-mlby|2005), and Philadelphia Phillies (2005).

Urbina started his career as a dominant closer with the Expos, then was traded to the Red Sox on July 31, 2001, for Tomo Ohka and Rich Rundles. Urbina left Boston as a free agent after the 2002 season, and signed with the Rangers for one year. He was traded on July 11, 2003, to the Marlins for Adrian Gonzalez, Will Smith, and Ryan Snare. Urbina signed a two-year contract with the Tigers after 2003. On June 8, 2005, the Tigers traded Urbina with Ramon Martinez to the Philadelphia Phillies for infielder Plácido Polanco. He played his final game on October 2, 2005, for the Phillies.

Pitching attributes

Urbina's pitches included a moving fastball and a slider that enabled him to hold left-handed hitters in check. He also threw a changeup which tailed away from right-handers and a splitter that broke sharply. He batted and threw right-handed.

Attempted murder conviction in Venezuela

On November 7, 2005, Urbina was arrested by Venezuelan authorities on a charge of attempted murder for an incident that occurred a few weeks earlier, on October 16. [Cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801EFD8153EF93AA35752C1A9639C8B63&scp=3&sq=Ugueth%20Urbina%20attempted%20murder&st=cse|title=Urbina Held in Venezuela|publisher=New York Times|date=November 9 2005|accessdate=2008-08-10] Urbina allegedly attacked five farm workers on his property and tried to injure them both with a machete and by attempting to pour gasoline on them. On March 28, 2007, Urbina was convicted of attempted murder.Cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901EEDD1030F93AA15750C0A9619C8B63&scp=2&sq=Ugueth%20Urbina&st=cse|title=Urbina Given 14 Years For Attempted Murder|publisher="New York Times"|date=March 29 2007|accessdate=2008-08-10] Additional charges included illegal deprivation of liberty and violating a prohibition against taking justice into his own hands. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

ee also

* List of Major League Baseball saves champions
* List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders

References

External links

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