Álvaro Espinoza

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Álvaro Alberto Espinoza [es-pe-NO-zah] (born February 19, 1962) is a coach and a former shortstop in Major League Baseball. Currently, he serves as the infield coach for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.

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[edit] Early life

Born in Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela, he graduated from Pedro Gual High School where he played baseball, soccer and basketball.

[edit] Playing career

From 1984 through 1997, Espinoza played with the Minnesota Twins (1984-1986), New York Yankees (1988-1991), Cleveland Indians (1993-1996), New York Mets (1996) and Seattle Mariners (1997). He batted and threw right-handed.

In a 15-season career, Espinoza was a .254 hitter with 22 home runs, 201 RBI, 252 runs, 105 doubles, nine triples, and 13 stolen bases in 942 games. He was second in the MLB in sacrifices in 1989.

As a young prospect, Espinoza was let go by Houston and Minnesota. But he went on to have four decent seasons with the Yankees, after which he played for, in turn, the Indians, the Mets, and the Mariners.

At the plate, Espinoza, though a notorious free swinger, was a good bat handler and contact hitter. His game was to simply put the ball in play and not try to hit for power. As a baserunner, he had average speed (meaning he was slow for a shortstop).

In the field, concentration and knowledge were Espinoza's main assets. He wasn't among the most gifted athletes ever to play shortstop, but he positioned himself extremely well and got to many balls that might have eluded some flashier shortstops. He was sure-handed, good at turning the double play, and had a very strong throwing arm.

[edit] Coaching career

Following his playing career after the 1997 season, Espinoza turned to coaching. In 1998, he worked with the Montreal Expos as their minor league infield coordinator.

Hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, Espinoza made his managerial debut in 1999 and guided Class-A Vero Beach to a 48-85 record in the Florida State League. He spent 2000 and 2001 as the Dodgers Minor League Roving Infield Coordinator.

In 2002, Espinoza was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates and named their infield Instructor in 2004.

[edit] Milestone

[edit] Marriage and children

Espinoza has seven children.

  • son José (b. July 22, 1983)
  • daughter Karyna (b. March 20, 1985)
  • daughter Karla (b. October 19, 1987 )

He has four children with his wife Corimar.

  • son Leonardo (b. April 17, 1991)
  • daughter Alva Maria (b. January 16, 1995)
  • daughter María (b. December 2, 1996)
  • daughter Luisa (b. August 20, 1999)

[edit] See also

[edit] Sources