Víctor Díaz

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For the Venezuelan basketball player, see Víctor Díaz (basketball)

**Victor Diaz**

Position	Right Field
Team	Texas Rangers
Years of Experience	2 years
Age	24 years
Height	6 ft
Weight	200 lb.
Bats	Right
Throws	Right
College	Grayson County Community College (TX)
2006 Salary	$335,000
Place of Birth	Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Selection	37th round of 2000 amateur draft
Drafted by	Los Angeles Dodgers
Major League Debut	September 11, 2004

Víctor Israel Díaz (born December 10, 1981 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who plays for the Texas Rangers.

Díaz attended Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago where he was honored as an Illinois All-State baseball player each of his four years there. As a high schooler, he was invited to dinner by fellow Dominican and star Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa. He attended Grayson County College where he was a first-team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American. He was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 37th round of the 2000 amateur draft and signed as an infielder.

Díaz achieved quick success as a minor league hitter, winning the Gulf Coast League batting title in 2001 with a .354 batting average. He managed the same feat the following year hitting .350 in the South Atlantic League. In 2003, he was traded by the Dodgers to the New York Mets for Jeromy Burnitz. Because of his limited fielding skills, the Mets moved Diaz to the outfield in 2004.

Díaz made his major league debut with the Mets on September 11, 2004. He was impressive during his September tryout, hitting a three-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to win a pivotal game against the playoff-contending Chicago Cubs, essentially knocking them out of the playoffs. Ironically, the Cubs were his favorite team growing up. Even more ironic, his mentor growing up, Sammy Sosa, started his last away game for the Cubs that day. Jeromy Burnitz, whom Diaz was traded for, would take Sosa's place in right field for the Cubs. On August 22, 2006, Diaz was designated for assignment by the Mets. On August 30, 2006, Diaz was dealt to the Texas Rangers for minor league C Mike Nickeas. After the 2006 season, Diaz headed to the Instructional League to work with hitting coach Brook Jacoby on his swing, then he played in the Dominican Winter League. Diaz competed for a spot on the Rangers 25-man roster, but did not make the cut and will start the season in AAA Oklahoma.

Díaz is single and resides in Chicago.