Rubén Sierra

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Ruben Sierra
Ruben Sierra

Rubén Angel Sierra García (born October 6, 1965 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico) was a 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.

Contents

[edit] MLB career

In November 1982, 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 an ok 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 Jose 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. 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 clutch 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[1].

[edit] Career statistics

(1986–2006) .268, 306 home runs, 1322 RBIs 2152 hits, 142 stolen bases, 2186 games

[edit] Highlights

[edit] Trivia

  • Sierra was U.S. President George W. Bush's favorite player when Bush owned the Rangers.
  • Sierra has 3 daughters- Neysha, Yianesses and Yaznerisse and 2 sons- Ruben Angel Jr. and Ruben Omar.
  • Sierra's favorite team were the Cincinnati Reds and favorite player was Roberto Clemente.
  • Finished second in 1989 MVP race behind Robin Yount.
  • Is an avid music fan and even has his own salsa album called "Un verdadero Hit"( A real hit). The album song "No se por donde empezar" was quite popular in Puerto Rico at the time of its release in the early nineties.
  • It has been rumored in Puerto Rican press that Sierra is considering playing winter baseball in the island in order to get exposure and return to the big leagues next season.
Preceded by
Jose Canseco		 American League RBI Champion
1989		 Succeeded by
Cecil Fielder
Preceded by
Frank Thomas		 AL Comeback Player of the Year
2001		 Succeeded by
Tim Salmon

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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