Rafael Furcal

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**Rafael Furcal**
Major League Baseball debut
Los Angeles Dodgers — No. 15
Shortstop
Bats: Switch	Throws: Right
April 4, 2000 for the Atlanta Braves
Selected MLB statistics (through October 1, 2006)
Batting average	.286
Runs scored	667
Stolen bases	226
Former teams
Atlanta Braves (2000–2005)

Rafael Antoni Furcal (born August 24, 1977 in Loma de Cabrera, Dominican Republic) is a shortstop in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. During the 2000 MLB season, he was called up from the minor leagues by the Atlanta Braves to replace the injured Walt Weiss for 15 days. He then went on to take the National League Rookie of the Year Award that year.

Furcal completed an unassisted triple play for the Braves against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 10, 2003. It was the 12th in baseball history and, as of October 2006, the most recent. In the fifth inning, the shortstop caught pitcher Woody Williams' liner with the runners moving in a hit and run attempt, stepped on second base to retire catcher Mike Matheny and tagged Orlando Palmeiro before he could return to first [1].

On the Braves, Furcal was a valued leadoff hitter due to his speed and ability to get on base. Furcal is regarded as one of the best basestealers in baseball. He is an accomplished bunter, once bunting the ball past Robin Ventura for a double in 2001. In a game in April 2006, he broke Cubs 1st baseman Derrek Lee's wrist. Furcal has one of the strongest throwing arms in the league and is regarded as an adequate if not spectacular defensive shortstop.

On December 7, 2005, Furcal signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for three years and $39 million, and officialized the signing by passing his physical.

[edit] Age controversy

When Furcal was in the minors, his listed birth year varied by as many as four years. Some sources report his date of birth in 1977, 1978 and 1980, among other dates. This stems from the fact that many Dominican players acquired forged birth certificates with the aim of appearing younger, and thus enhancing their status as prospects.

It has been alleged that Furcal was under 16 when he was signed. After September 11, 2001, Furcal and many other Dominican players came under increased scrutiny due to heightened security concerns, and were forced to update their immigration information. Furcal's status as a top prospect was not damaged by this, but many other players whose information was revealed as fraudulent were released.

He has been arrested for drunk driving twice, and after the first arrest, his real age was discovered.^{[citation needed]}