José Valentín

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**José Valentín**

New York Mets — No. 22
Second baseman
Bats: Switch	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
September 17, 1992 for the Milwaukee Brewers
Selected MLB statistics (through 2006)
Average	.243
HR	246
RBI	798
Former teams
Milwaukee Brewers (1992–1999) Chicago White Sox (2000–2004) Los Angeles Dodgers (2005) New York Mets (2006–Present)

José Antonio Valentín (born on October 12, 1969 in Manati, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball second baseman who plays for the New York Mets. Previously he played with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2005), Chicago White Sox (2000–2004) and the Milwaukee Brewers (1992–1999).

Valentín's 2005 was injury-plagued, as he went down in spring training with torn ligaments in his left knee. He put up a .170 batting average in 56 games that season after he returned, serving as a third baseman, left fielder and lefty pinch-hitter.

Valentín had success as one of the few shortstops with good home run power, averaging 25 homers and 80 RBI over a 162 game season for his career. Although he only has a .243 lifetime batting average, he has established a .332 lifetime on-base percentage, evidencing his propensity to walk.

As Valentín got older, however, his range in the field lessened with his foot speed. Therefore he shifted from a strict shortstop to a player who can handle duties at third base, second base, shortstop and left field.

Valentín rebounded from a poor and injury filled 2005 season to have one of his finest all around seasons in 2006. Valentín signed with the New York Mets in hopes of making the team as a utility player off the bench. After starting the year in a miserable slump, Valentín soon emerged to be one of the better stories of the season. Valentín broke out with a big series in Milwaukee in May. Soon after the Mets traded away second baseman Kaz Matsui, Valentín took over as the everyday second baseman and compiled a fine season. His veteran leadership and consistent hitting played a big part in helping the Mets to the 2006 National League Eastern Division Title. Valentín capped off his great regular season by belting two home runs against the Marlins on September 18 in the division-clinching game.

On November 14, 2006, Valentin re-signed with the Mets for one year, with an option for 2008. Also, with the signing of Moises Alou on November 20, 2006, Valentin agreed to give up his number 18 so that Alou could wear it. Valentín has decided to wear the number 22 for the 2007 season.

Valentín is the older brother of Cincinnati Reds catcher Javier Valentín. Valentín is also the career leader in errors among active players with 273, although he has 800 fewer errors than the Major League record [1]