Rubén Sierra

Infobox MLB retired
name=Rubén Sierra


width=
position=Outfielder / Designated hitter
bats=Switch
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1965|10|6
city-state|Rio Piedras|Puerto Rico
debutdate=June 1
debutyear=by|1986
debutteam=Texas Rangers
finaldate=July 9
finalyear=by|2006
finalteam=Minnesota Twins
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.268
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=306
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=1,322
teams=
* Texas Rangers (by|1986-by|1992, by|2000-by|2001, by|2003)
* Oakland Athletics (by|1992-by|1995)
* New York Yankees (by|1995-by|1996, by|2003-by|2005)
* Detroit Tigers (by|1996)
* Cincinnati Reds (by|1997)
* Toronto Blue Jays (by|1997)
* Chicago White Sox (by|1998)
* Seattle Mariners (by|2002)
* Minnesota Twins (by|2006)
highlights=
* 4x All-Star selection (1989, 1991, 1992, 1994)
* Silver Slugger Award winner (1989)
* 2001 AL Comeback Player of the Year

Rubén Angel Sierra García (born October 6, 1965 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Sierra also goes by the nicknames "El Caballo" and "El Indio".

In a 20-season career, Sierra has played for the Texas Rangers (1986-92, 2000-01, 2003), Oakland Athletics (1992-95), New York Yankees (1995-96, 2003-05), Detroit Tigers (1996), Cincinnati Reds (1997), Toronto Blue Jays (1997), Chicago White Sox (1998), Seattle Mariners (2002), Minnesota Twins (2006).

Sierra graduated from Liceo Interamericano Castro High School in Puerto Rico in 1983, where he played baseball, basketball and volleyball.

MLB career

In November 1985, the Texas Rangers signed 17-year old Sierra out of Puerto Rico. Sierra made his major league debut on June 1, 1986 as a 20-year old outfielder. Sierra had a decent rookie year hitting .264 with 16 home runs and 55 RBIs. He went on to have 3 years with 100+ RBIs with the Rangers. In August 1992, the Rangers traded Sierra to the Oakland Athletics for José Canseco. He later played more years with the Rangers and A's.

In 1995, the A's traded Sierra to the New York Yankees for Danny tartabull. Sierra was considered a journeyman because of playing for numerous teams during the late-1990s. He was a vital part of the Seattle Mariners successful teams while playing for them.In 2003, the Yankees acquired Sierra from the Rangers to have a power-hitter off the bench. Sierra was an important part of the 2004 Yankees, in which the team hit over 240 home runs.

In Game 4 of the 2004 American League Division Series, with the Yankees down to the Minnesota Twins 5-2, Sierra hit a 3-run home run to tie the game at 5-5 off of reliever Juan Rincon. His clutch home run made the Yankees win the game and the series. Sierra had an injury plagued 2005 season and was let go by the Yankees. In 2006, Sierra signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins, but was released on July 10. In August, Sierra was offered a chance to sign on with the New York Mets for the September run and playoffs. However, due to family issues (illness to his Mother), he opted not to play again in 2006.

In January 2007, Sierra signed a minor league contract with the Mets, who invited him to Spring Training. However, on March 20, he requested, and was granted, his release by the team after being reassigned the previous Thursday [http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/20/sierra-released-sanchez-on-the-mend/] .

ee also

*Top 500 home run hitters of all time
*List of major league players with 2,000 hits
*List of AL Silver Slugger Winners at Outfield
*List of players from Puerto Rico in MLB
* List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
* List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
* List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
* List of Major League Baseball RBI champions
* List of Major League Baseball triples champions

External links

*baseballstats |mlb= |espn= |br=s/sierrru01 |fangraphs=1099 |cube=S/ruben-sierra
* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Sierra_Ruben.stm Baseball Library] - biography and accomplishments
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=3841 ESPN profile and daily update]
* [http://www.publicradio.org/columns/minnesota/baseball/archive/2006/04/ruben_sierras_2.phpTony Ruben Sierra still feels "like a superstar" (Minnesota Public Radio)] .
* [http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AtlG_q0iC9TbIh665WGHf8Uf0bYF?slug=twinssierra&prov=st&type=lgns Twins waive Veteran OF Sierra] .
* [http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/story/444821p-374622c.html No Deal Between the Mets and Sierra] .
* [http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-spmets155016514dec15,0,5659223.story Mets Discuss Minor League Deal with Sierra] .