René Arocha
| René Arocha | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
|
Born: February 24, 1966 Havana, Cuba | |
| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| April 9, 1993 for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 6, 1997 for the San Francisco Giants | |
| Career statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 18–17 |
| Earned run average | 4.11 |
| Strikeouts | 190 |
| Teams | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men’s baseball | ||
Competitor for  Cuba
| ||
| Baseball World Cup | ||
| Gold | 1988 Rome | Team |
René Arocha (born February 24, 1966) is a former MLB baseball player.
Biography
René Arocha studied as a teenager at the Regla high school in Havana. After graduating from high school, Arocha became a member of Cuba's famed national baseball team.
In 1991, during an international competition, Arocha defected, opting for a life in the United States and the chance at playing in the Major Leagues.[1] His story became known across the States when Hispanic media began talking about him, and Arocha was the subject of many television reports on Telemundo and Univision.
In 1991, Arocha was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals, and assigned to the Cardinals' farm team in Louisville, Kentucky.[2][3] As a pitcher in Louisville in 1992, Arocha posted 12 wins and 7 losses, with an earned run average of 2.70.[3] These numbers prompted the Cardinals to bring Arocha to the Major Leagues, and he debuted with the Cardinals in 1993, winning 11 games and losing 8, while striking out 96 opponents and accumulating an ERA of 3.78.[2]
The 1994 and 1995 seasons were marred for Arocha by injuries, and he only won 7 games in those two years combined, while also losing 7. Arocha was then waived by the Cardinals, becoming a free agent.
In 1997, Arocha was traded to the San Francisco Giants,[2] and he went to the Giants' Pacific League farm team, the Phoenix Firebirds. He won 7 games with the Firebirds that year, while losing only 3. He was then assigned to the Columbus team of the International League. After winning one game there,[3] Arocha returned to the major leagues, pitching ten innings for the Giants before the 1997 season was over. He did not win or lose any games for the Giants.[2]
Arocha finished his professional baseball career with a team in New Orleans in 1998 at the age of 32.[3]
Arocha had 18 wins and 17 losses in the major leagues, with an ERA of 4.11 and 190 strikeouts in four seasons, three with the Cardinals and one with the Giants.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ "With Justice Department's help, Arocha may play in U.S.". The Boca Raton News. Associated Press. 1991-09-11. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Rene Arocha". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Rene Arocha (Minors)". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
- Cuban Baseball Career statistics