| Álvaro Espinoza | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Espinoza atProgressive Field in 2015 | |
| Shortstop | |
| Born: (1962-02-19)February 19, 1962 (age 63) Valencia, Carabobo State,Venezuela | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 14, 1984, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 12, 1997, for the Seattle Mariners | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .254 |
| Home runs | 22 |
| Runs batted in | 201 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Member of the Caribbean | |
 Baseball Hall of Fame | |
| Induction | 2014 |
Álvaro Alberto Espinoza Ramírez[es-pe-noh'-zah] (born February 19, 1962) is aVenezuelan formershortstop inMajor League Baseball. He batted and threw right-handed.
Born inValencia, Carabobo, he graduated from Pedro Gual High School where he played baseball, soccer and basketball.
As a young prospect, Espinoza was let go by theHouston Astros system. But he went on to have twelve decent seasons with theMinnesota Twins (1984–1986),New York Yankees (1988–1991),Cleveland Indians (1993–1996),New York Mets (1996) andSeattle Mariners (1997).
Although a free swinger, Espinoza 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.
Probably, he was not 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. A sure-handed fielder, he had a strong throwing arm and found many ways to turn adouble play, as well as his concentration and knowledge of the game were his main assets.
In a 12-season career, Espinoza hit a .254average with 22home runs and 201RBI in 942 games, including 252runs, 105doubles, ninetriples, and 13stolen bases.
Espinoza's was one ofNew York Yankees public address announcerBob Sheppard's favorite names to announce.[1]
He was also noted for hisbubble gum hat antics, as well as other practical jokes he and teammateWayne Kirby used to play on the1995 Cleveland Indians.
Following his playing career after the 1997 season, Espinoza turned to coaching. In 1998, he worked with theMontreal Expos as theirminor league infield coordinator.
Hired by theLos Angeles Dodgers organization, Espinoza made hismanagerial debut in 1999 and guided Class-AVero Beach to a 48–85 record in theFlorida State League. He spent 2000 and 2001 as the Dodgers Minor League Roving Infield Coordinator.
In 2002, Espinoza was signed by thePittsburgh Pirates and then named their infield Instructor in 2004.