Ugueth Urbina
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Ugueth Urtaín Ulysses Urbina Villarreal | |
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Relief pitcher | |
Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
MLB debut | |
May 9, 1995 for the Montreal Expos | |
Final game | |
October 2, 2005 for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
Career statistics | |
Lifetime Record | 44-49 |
ERA | 3.45 |
Saves | 237 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Ugueth Urbina (IPA pronunciation: [u'gɛt ur'binə]), born Ugueth Urtaín Urbina Villarreal (February 15, 1974 in Caracas, Venezuela), is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. A two-time All-Star, Urbina led the National League in saves with 41 in the 1999 season and helped the Florida Marlins win the 2003 World Series. On March 28, 2007, Urbina was convicted of attempted murder charges and was sentenced to 14 years in prison stemming from a 2005 incident. He remains the only player in Major League Baseball history with the initials U.U.U.
Contents |
[edit] Playing career
In 11 major league seasons, Urbina compiled a 44-49 record with 237 saves, 814 strikeouts, and a 3.45 ERA. He played with the Montreal Expos (1995-2001), Boston Red Sox (2001-02), Texas Rangers (2003), Florida Marlins (2003), Detroit Tigers (2004-2005), and Philadelphia Phillies (2005).
Urbina started his career as a dominant closer with the Expos, then was traded to the Red Sox on July 31, 2001 for Tomo Ohka and Rich Rundles. Urbina left Boston as a free agent after the 2002 season, and signed with the Rangers for one year. He was traded on July 11, 2003 to the Marlins for Adrian Gonzalez, Will Smith and Ryan Snare. Urbina signed a two-year contract with the Tigers after 2003. On June 8, 2005, the Tigers traded Urbina with Ramon Martinez to the Philadelphia Phillies for infielder Plácido Polanco. Unknown at the time, he played his final game on October 2, 2005, for the Phillies.
[edit] Pitching Attributes
Urbina's pitches included a moving fastball and a slider that enabled him to hold left-handed hitters in check. He also threw a changeup which tailed away from righthanders and a splitter that broke sharply. He batted and threw right handed.
[edit] Attempted Murder Conviction in Venezuela
On November 7, 2005, Urbina was arrested by Venezuelan authorities on a charge of attempted murder for an incident that occured a few weeks earlier, on October 16.[1] Urbina allegedly attacked five farm workers on his property and tried to injure them both with a machete and by attempting to pour gasoline on them. On March 28, 2007, Urbina was convicted of attempted murder.[2] Additional charges included illegal deprivation of liberty and violating a prohibition against taking justice into his own hands. He was sentenced to fourteen years in prison.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Urbina caught in legal limbo as he faces murder charges. CBS Sports (December 15, 2005). Retrieved on October 15, 2006.
- ^ Urbina sentenced to 14 years. Sports Illustrated (March 28, 2007). Retrieved on March 28, 2007.
- ^ Report: Urbina sentenced to 14 years. Associated Press (March 28, 2007). Retrieved on March 28, 2007.
[edit] External links
- ESPN (profile and daily update)
- Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis
Categories: Current events | National League All-Stars | American League All-Stars | Boston Red Sox players | Detroit Tigers players | Florida Marlins players | Montreal Expos players | Philadelphia Phillies players | Major league pitchers | Venezuelan baseball players | 1974 births | Living people | Incarcerated celebrities