Ambiorix Burgos
Encyclopedia
Ambiorix Burgos is a former right-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
.
and appeared in 59 games as a relief pitcher
. Despite pitching only 60 inning
s, he managed to be 10th in the league in wild pitch
es. In 2005, Burgos had the highest average fastball
velocity of American League
relievers, at 96.5 mph, and posted an ERA
of 3.90.
In , Burgos started the season as the Royals' closer
. However, the season was a disappointment as he finished with a 4-5 record and 5.52 ERA in 73 1/3 innings pitched. He had 18 saves, but also blew 12 saves and lost the closer's job midway through the season.
On December 5, 2006, Burgos was traded by the Royals to the New York Mets for starting pitcher
Brian Bannister
.
In , Burgos began the season on the Mets 25-man roster, but was sent to Triple-A
soon thereafter. According to an Associated Press
report on August 28, 2007, general manager Omar Minaya
indicated that Burgos underwent Tommy John surgery
and would be out for a prolonged period. On August 6, 2008, Burgos pitched to nine batters in his first minor league rehab game.
On December 12, 2008, the New York Mets did not offer Burgos a new contract and he became a free agent.
On October 1, 2008, Burgos was indicted on charges of hit and run in his native Dominican Republic. Sources say that Burgos struck two women in his SUV and drove off. The women later died of their injuries. Burgos turned himself in to authorities on October 7.
On August 27, 2010, Burgos was accused of kidnapping and poisoning his ex-wife. Police in the Dominican Republic
charged Burgos with kidnapping and attempted murder
.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Career
In , Burgos made his major league debut with the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
and appeared in 59 games as a relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. Despite pitching only 60 inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
s, he managed to be 10th in the league in wild pitch
Wild pitch
In baseball, a wild pitch is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, perhaps even the batter-runner on strike three or ball four, to advance.A wild pitch usually...
es. In 2005, Burgos had the highest average fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
velocity of American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
relievers, at 96.5 mph, and posted an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.90.
In , Burgos started the season as the Royals' closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
. However, the season was a disappointment as he finished with a 4-5 record and 5.52 ERA in 73 1/3 innings pitched. He had 18 saves, but also blew 12 saves and lost the closer's job midway through the season.
On December 5, 2006, Burgos was traded by the Royals to the New York Mets for starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
Brian Bannister
Brian Bannister
Brian Patrick Bannister is a former baseball starting pitcher who most recently pitched for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.-Personal:...
.
In , Burgos began the season on the Mets 25-man roster, but was sent to Triple-A
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
soon thereafter. According to an Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
report on August 28, 2007, general manager Omar Minaya
Omar Minaya
Omar Teodoro Antonio Minaya y Sánchez is a former baseball executive who served as General Manager for the Montreal Expos and New York Mets.-Early life:...
indicated that Burgos underwent Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
and would be out for a prolonged period. On August 6, 2008, Burgos pitched to nine batters in his first minor league rehab game.
On December 12, 2008, the New York Mets did not offer Burgos a new contract and he became a free agent.
Personal
On September 9, 2008, Burgos was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend. Prosecutors say he repeatedly punched her on the back, bit her and slapped her. On March 12, 2009, a jury convicted Burgos for the assault. Sentencing was scheduled for April 3.On October 1, 2008, Burgos was indicted on charges of hit and run in his native Dominican Republic. Sources say that Burgos struck two women in his SUV and drove off. The women later died of their injuries. Burgos turned himself in to authorities on October 7.
On August 27, 2010, Burgos was accused of kidnapping and poisoning his ex-wife. Police in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
charged Burgos with kidnapping and attempted murder
Attempted murder
Attempted murder is a crime in England and Wales and Northern Ireland.-Today:In English criminal law, attempted murder is the crime of more than merely preparing to commit unlawful killing and at the same time having a specific intention to cause the death of human being under the Queen's Peace...
.