Ricky Gutiérrez

Infobox MLB retired
name=Ricky Gutiérrez
position=Shortstop
bgcolor1=#006265
bgcolor2=#522398
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white


bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1970|05|23
deathdate=
debutdate= April 13
debutyear= by|1993
debutteam= San Diego Padres
finaldate=October 3
finalyear=by|2004
finalteam= Boston Red Sox
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.268
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=38
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=357
teams=
* San Diego Padres (by|1993-by|1994)
* Houston Astros (by|1995-by|1999)
* Chicago Cubs (by|2000-by|2001)
* Cleveland Indians (by|2002-by|2003)
* New York Mets (by|2004)
* Boston Red Sox (by|2004)
highlights=
*World Series champion: 2004

Ricardo "Ricky" Gutiérrez (born May 23, 1970 in Miami, Florida) is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played from by|1993 through by|2004 for the San Diego Padres (1993-by|1994), Houston Astros (by|1995-by|1999), Chicago Cubs (by|2000-by|2001), Cleveland Indians (by|2003), New York Mets (by|2004) and Boston Red Sox (2004). He batted and threw right-handed. He was also the only Houston Astros batter to reach base in Kerry Wood's amazing 20-strikeout game.

Background

Listed at 6'1", 195 pounds, Gutiérrez started his career at shortstop and became a valuable utility later in his career. In the field, he had decent range and an above-average arm. He was a sharp line-drive hitter, and spent most of his career in the National League.

His most productive season came in 2001 with the Cubs, when he posted career-highs in batting average (.290), RBI (66), runs (76), hits (153) and games played (147). He finished the year leading the National League in sacrifice hits (17). He also had the fourth most sacrifice flies in the league (11), and was tenth in singles (117).

Boston Red Sox

On July 21, 2004, the Boston Red Sox acquired Gutiérrez from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein lauded Gutiérrez as "a veteran with a tremendous makeup ... he'll fit in well as a utility guy for us."

Gutiérrez exceeded Theo Epstein's expectations. He wore number 16, the same number as other Red Sox heroes such as Hank Johnson, Dave Sax, and Bob Zupcic. His greatest offensive performance came on August 28, 2004 versus the Detroit Tigers. Gutiérrez, who filled in at second base while Mark Bellhorn took over at third for Bill Mueller, went 3 for 4 with a two-run single with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Teammate Alan Embree was in awe: "He's been sitting a long time, to come off the bench and contribute like he did tonight was incredible."

After winning the World Series, Gutiérrez carried an industrial-sized broom to remind victory parade goers of the final tally (a 4-0 "sweep" of the St. Louis Cardinals).

While with the Red Sox, Gutiérrez was a .275 hitter (11-for-40) with 3 RBI in 21 games, including 6 runs, 1 double, 1 stolen base, and a .310 on-base percentage. The Red Sox were 14-7 in games in which Gutiérrez appeared, a blistering .667 winning percentage down the stretch, ensuring the team's American League Wild Card title.

Career Synopsis

In an 11-season career, Gutiérrez was a .268 hitter (967-for-3632) with 38 home runs and 357 RBI in 1074 games, including 463 runs, 138 doubles, 25 triples, 49 stolen bases, and a.338 on-base percentage.

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/gutieri01.shtml Baseball Reference]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl.cgi?n1=gutieri01&t=b 2004 Gutierrez Gamelogs]
* [http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/team/transactions.jsp?c_id=bos&year=2004&month=7 Red Sox Team Transactions]
* [http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2004/07/22/gutierrez_acquired_after_reese_lands_on_dl/ Gutiérrez Acquired From Cubs]