Alfonso Soriano, Retired


Date of Birth: 1/7/1976
Birthplace: San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic

Alfonso Soriano started playing professional baseball in Japan in 1996. Two years later, he was signed as a free agent by the Yankees. After just a short time in the minor leagues, the Yankees called him up in 1999 to play with the team. He played, however, in just nine games with the Yankees that year and only 22 games in 2000.

In his short first two seasons with the Yankees, Soriano played shortstop and third base but in 2001, his first full season in the majors, he was moved to second base, a position he held throughout his time with the Yankees. Soriano set several records while with the Yankees, including hitting 30 home runs and stealing 30 bases in one season. The only other Yankees player to accomplish that feat was Bobby Bonds in 1975, but Soriano beat Bonds' record by doing it twice, first in 2002 and then again the following season.

In 2002, Soriano won his first of four Silver Slugger awards. That season he led the American League in hits, extra base hits, and stolen bases. Despite his success as a Yankee, the team traded him before the 2004 season to the Texas Rangers for Alex Rodriguez.

Soriano had two solid years with Texas before being traded in December, 2005, to the Washington Nationals. During his time with the Rangers, Soriano won two more Silver Slugger awards (2004, 2005) and the All Star Game MVP award in 2004.

Soriano played just one season with the Nationals. In March, 2006, he was reluctantly moved to left field and this move may have contributed to his decision to enter free agency after the 2006 season ended. While with the Nationals, Soriano won a fourth Silver Slugger award. In September of that season, he set an MLB record as the only player to ever hit 40 home runs, hit 40 doubles, steal 40 bases, and have 20 assists in one season.

After the 2006 season, the Chicago Cubs signed Soriano to a lucrative eight-year contract. Although the contract has a no-trade clause, in July 2013, Soriano agreed to waive the clause for a trade back to his first team in the major leagues, the New York Yankees.

On November 4, 2014, Soriano announced his retirement from major league baseball.

Statistics for Soriano in 13 full seasons (2001-2013) in the major leagues include:

  • 7 seasons with over 150 hits, with a high of 209 in 2002
  • 10 seasons with over 30 doubles, with a high of 51 in 2002
  • 12 seasons with 20 or more home runs, with a high of 46 in 2006
  • 4 seasons with over 100 RBIs, with a high of 108 in 2012
  • 5 seasons with over 30 stolen bases, with a high of 43 in 2001

Career batting statistics for Soriano through 2014 include:

  • 1,975 games played
  • 2,095 hits
  • 481 doubles
  • 412 home runs
  • 1,159 RBIs
  • 289 stolen bases
  • 1,803 strikeouts to 496 walks
  • .270 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Soriano in left field through 2014 include:

  • 1,056 games played
  • 1,881 putouts
  • 54 errors
  • .973 fielding percentage

Career fielding statistics for Soriano at second base through 2013 include:

  • 766 games played
  • 2,081 assists
  • 1,503 putouts
  • 472 double plays
  • 106 errors
  • .971 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Alfonso Soriano
ESPN Sports - Alfonso Soriano