Endy Chávez
Encyclopedia
Endy de Jesus Chávez is a Major League Baseball
outfielder
.
Chávez bats and throws left-handed
and is considered to have good fielding skills, speed, and the ability to hit to all parts of the field. He is well known for an outstanding catch in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS
.
debut in 1996 with the Mets
, a rookie-level affiliate of the New York Mets. In his first season with the team, he hit .354 in 48 games. He played the next four years in the Mets organization with the Kingsport Mets
, Gulf Coast Mets, Capital City Bombers
, and St. Lucie Mets
. On March 30, 2001, Chávez was traded from the Mets to the Kansas City Royals
organization. In 2001, Chávez played with Wichita Wranglers
and the Omaha Royals
before making his MLB debut with the Royals.
In 2002, Chávez joined the Montreal Expos
organization, playing for the Ottawa Lynx
. With Ottawa, Chávez was an International League
all-star in 2002. Chávez finished out the 2004 season with the Expos affiliate Edmonton Trappers
. In 2005, Chávez moved to the New Orleans Zephyrs
, the triple-A affiliate of the relocated Montreal Expos, now known as the Washington Nationals
.
history in their 8–1 loss to the New York Mets
at Shea Stadium
.
In 2005 Chávez played in only seven games for the team, now re-located to Washington, D. C. and re-named the Washington Nationals, before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
. During his tenure in Washington, Chávez was given the mocking nickname of "Inning Endy" by Nationals fansites due to his tendency to swing at most pitches rather than "playing the count," often resulting in groundouts and popups.
, Mets manager Willie Randolph
convinced Chávez to alter his batting style to favor contact hitting over power. Chávez's speed and his modified batting style sparked a 50-point jump in his batting average with 12 stolen bases during a season in which he saw limited playing time (often as an injury replacement for regular left fielder Cliff Floyd
). This, in addition to his excellent defensive skills, helped the Mets win the National League East and qualify for the 2006 baseball postseason.
Chávez's catch at Shea Stadium
in Game 7 of the 2006 National League Championship Series
is seen by many as one of the most remarkable plays in baseball history. In the top of the sixth inning, with the game tied 1–1, pitcher Oliver Perez
delivered a pitch that was hammered, yet Chávez leaped over the 8 feet (2.4 m)-high left field wall and caught the ball with the tip of his glove to rob Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen
of a two-run home run. Chávez reeled the ball in and threw to the cutoff man second baseman Jose Valentin
, who threw to Carlos Delgado
at first base, doubling off center fielder Jim Edmonds
for an inning-ending double play. The catch was named the top post-season moment in the 5th annual This Year in Baseball Awards.
Gary Cohen
, the current play by play man for the New York Mets, was calling the game on the 660 WFAN New York when Chávez made the spectacular catch.
On July 13, 2007, American International Group
(the company whose advertisement happened to be on the spot on the left field wall at Shea Stadium where Chávez made the catch) sponsored a special Bobblehead Doll day to commemorate the catch. Their advertising slogan, "The Strength To Be There," was an ironic coincidence in both a positive and negative manner (positive because of Chávez having the strength to be there and make the catch, and negative due to AIG's later financial problems). AIG continued to have an advertisement in that spot on the fence during Shea Stadium's final season, but by the time of the final game in September 2008 and the stadium's demolition in the winter of that year, the "strength to be there" slogan had been replaced with two AIG logos and no additional text.
The Left Field entrance gate of the Mets' current ballpark, Citi Field, features a metal silhouette of a baseball player making a leaping catch similar to the one Chávez made in the 2006 NLCS.
for the winning run, giving the Mets a walk-off win against the Colorado Rockies
, 2–1. The play is known as "The Bunt", and many newspapers coined the slogan "Endy Ends It"mainly because of the excitement of the game and the perfection of the drag bunt.
When regular left fielder Moisés Alou
was placed on the DL, Chávez, in a reprise of the previous season, moved up to fill his spot. Sporting a .292 BA, and maintaining his slick fielding, Chávez was a more than adequate replacement. However, on June 6, 2007 Chávez suffered a strained left hamstring while sprinting to first base on a double play ball. Two days later, he was placed on the 15-day DL. He returned from the DL on August 28.
During the 2007–2008 offseason, Chávez injured his right hamstring and right ankle while playing winter ball in Venezuela
for Navegantes del Magallanes
.
, the Mets played the Florida Marlins. With an NL wildcard spot at stake for the Mets, Chávez made another terrific catch in the outfield during the top of the seventh inning, the same inning in which he entered the game as a defensive replacement. After a ball was hit hard and deep to left field by Jorge Cantú
, Chávez fully extended to make the catch for the final out of the inning. A hit by Cantu would have scored one run to give the Marlins the lead and surely would have resulted in extra bases and kept the inning alive.
(who was later traded to the Cubs
), and minor leaguers to the Seattle Mariners
in a 12-player deal on December 10, 2008.
On June 19, 2009, while trying to catch a pop-up, Chavez collided with shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt
and suffered a torn ACL in the right knee. Chavez missed the remainder of the 2009 season.
On November 6, 2009, he declared free agency.
.
When Chavez fully recovered from his 2009 ACL injury, he was sent down to Double-A Frisco. Chavez was promoted quickly, posting a .545 batting average in 3 games. Chavez was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City soon after that, but he was on the DL yet again.
In 2011, he batted .301 with 5 home runs in 256 at bats. In game 7 of the 2011 world series Chavez was brought in as a pinch hitter, but never saw a pitch as he was promptly replaced by another pinch hitter when Arthur Rhodes entered the game.
, Washington Nationals
, and in the Golden Baseball League
through 2008.
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...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
.
Chávez bats and throws left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
and is considered to have good fielding skills, speed, and the ability to hit to all parts of the field. He is well known for an outstanding catch in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS
2006 National League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series , the second round of the 2006 National League playoffs, began on October 12 and ended on October 19; it was scheduled to begin on October 11, but was postponed a day because of inclement weather. The St...
.
Minor league career
Chávez made his Minor League BaseballMinor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
debut in 1996 with the Mets
METS
The Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard is a metadata standard for encoding descriptive, administrative, and structural metadata regarding objects within a digital library, expressed using the XML schema language of the World Wide Web Consortium...
, a rookie-level affiliate of the New York Mets. In his first season with the team, he hit .354 in 48 games. He played the next four years in the Mets organization with the Kingsport Mets
Kingsport Mets
The Kingsport Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Kingsport, Tennessee, United States. The team, which plays in the Appalachian League, is a Rookie League affiliate of Major League Baseball's New York Mets....
, Gulf Coast Mets, Capital City Bombers
Greenville Drive
The Greenville Drive is a minor league baseball team that plays in Greenville, South Carolina. They are a Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and a member of the South Atlantic League. Prior to the 2005 SAL season, the team played in Columbia, South Carolina, was affiliated with the New York...
, and St. Lucie Mets
St. Lucie Mets
The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
. On March 30, 2001, Chávez was traded from the Mets to the Kansas City Royals
Kansas 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...
organization. In 2001, Chávez played with Wichita Wranglers
Wichita Wranglers
The Wichita Wranglers were a minor league baseball team based in Wichita, Kansas. The team, which played in the Texas League, was the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major-league club from 1995 to 2007, and of the San Diego Padres from 1987 to 1994. The Wranglers played in...
and the Omaha Royals
Omaha Royals
The Omaha Storm Chasers are a United States minor league baseball team currently based in the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997,...
before making his MLB debut with the Royals.
In 2002, Chávez joined the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
organization, playing for the Ottawa Lynx
Ottawa Lynx
The Ottawa Lynx were a minor league baseball team that formerly competed in the Triple-A International League from 1993 to 2007. The team's home field was Lynx Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. Over the team's 15 seasons, it was the Triple-A Minor League affiliate of the Montreal Expos , Baltimore...
. With Ottawa, Chávez was an International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
all-star in 2002. Chávez finished out the 2004 season with the Expos affiliate Edmonton Trappers
Edmonton Trappers
The Edmonton Trappers were a minor league baseball team in the Pacific Coast League, ending with the 2004 season. Home games were played at Telus Field in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada....
. In 2005, Chávez moved to the New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
, the triple-A affiliate of the relocated Montreal Expos, now known as the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
.
Kansas City Royals
In 2001 Chávez played his rookie season with the Kansas City Royals. He appeared in 29 games and compiled a career low batting average of .208.Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals
In the winter of 2001 Chávez was traded to the Montreal Expos, playing 309 games over three years (2002–05). In 2002 and 2003 he helped the Expos compile competitive records of 83–79 in each season, contending for postseason play, but falling short of the wild-card slot each time. Playing full-time in 2003 and 2004, Chávez batted first in the lineup and started in center field. Stealing 18 bases in 2003 and 32 in 2004, Chávez proved himself a serious running threat. On October 3, 2004 Chávez recorded the final out in Montreal ExposMontreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
history in their 8–1 loss to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
.
In 2005 Chávez played in only seven games for the team, now re-located to Washington, D. C. and re-named the Washington Nationals, before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. During his tenure in Washington, Chávez was given the mocking nickname of "Inning Endy" by Nationals fansites due to his tendency to swing at most pitches rather than "playing the count," often resulting in groundouts and popups.
Philadelphia Phillies (2005)
Chávez played in 91 games with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005, usually joining the game in later innings. He batted .215 and stole only two bases.New York Mets (2006–08)
On December 23, 2005, the New York Mets signed Chávez to a one-year, $500,000, major league deal.2006 and "The Catch"
During spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, Mets manager Willie Randolph
Willie Randolph
Willie Larry Randolph is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and manager, most recently the third base coach for the Baltimore Orioles...
convinced Chávez to alter his batting style to favor contact hitting over power. Chávez's speed and his modified batting style sparked a 50-point jump in his batting average with 12 stolen bases during a season in which he saw limited playing time (often as an injury replacement for regular left fielder Cliff Floyd
Cliff Floyd
Cornelius Clifford Floyd, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early years:Floyd was born to parents Cornelius Clifford Floyd, Sr. and Olivia Floyd. After spending 13 years as an only child, Floyd was joined by brother Julius...
). This, in addition to his excellent defensive skills, helped the Mets win the National League East and qualify for the 2006 baseball postseason.
Chávez's catch at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
in Game 7 of the 2006 National League Championship Series
2006 National League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series , the second round of the 2006 National League playoffs, began on October 12 and ended on October 19; it was scheduled to begin on October 11, but was postponed a day because of inclement weather. The St...
is seen by many as one of the most remarkable plays in baseball history. In the top of the sixth inning, with the game tied 1–1, pitcher Oliver Perez
Oliver Pérez
Óliver Pérez Martínez is a left-handed pitcher currently in the Washington Nationals organization.-San Diego Padres:...
delivered a pitch that was hammered, yet Chávez leaped over the 8 feet (2.4 m)-high left field wall and caught the ball with the tip of his glove to rob Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
of a two-run home run. Chávez reeled the ball in and threw to the cutoff man second baseman Jose Valentin
José Valentín
José Antonio Valentín is a former Major League Baseball infielder, who played with the Milwaukee Brewers , Chicago White Sox , Los Angeles Dodgers , and New York Mets .-Early years:...
, who threw to Carlos Delgado
Carlos Delgado
Carlos Juan Delgado Hernández is a retired Puerto Rican professional baseball player. With 473 home runs and 1,512 RBI, he holds the all-time home run and RBI records among Puerto Rican players....
at first base, doubling off center fielder Jim Edmonds
Jim Edmonds
James Patrick "Jim" Edmonds is a former American Major League Baseball center fielder. He played for the California/Anaheim Angels, the St. Louis Cardinals, the San Diego Padres, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds...
for an inning-ending double play. The catch was named the top post-season moment in the 5th annual This Year in Baseball Awards.
Gary Cohen
Gary Cohen
Gary Cohen is an American sportscaster, best known as a radio and television play-by-play announcer for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball....
, the current play by play man for the New York Mets, was calling the game on the 660 WFAN New York when Chávez made the spectacular catch.
Edmonds at first and one out, and Pérez deals. Fastball hit in the air to left field, that's deep, back goes Chávez, back near the wall, leaping, and.... he made the catch! He took a home run away from Rolen! Trying to get back to first is Edmonds... he's doubled off! And the inning is over! Endy Chávez saves the day! He reached high over the left field wall, right in front of the visitors bullpen, and pulled back a two run homer! He went to the apex of his leap, and caught it in the webbing of his glove, with his elbow up against the fence. A miraculous play by Endy Chávez, and then Edmonds is doubled off first, and Óliver Pérez escapes the 6th inning. The play of the year, the play maybe of the franchise history, for Endy Chávez, and the inning is over.
On July 13, 2007, American International Group
American International Group
American International Group, Inc. or AIG is an American multinational insurance corporation. Its corporate headquarters is located in the American International Building in New York City. The British headquarters office is on Fenchurch Street in London, continental Europe operations are based in...
(the company whose advertisement happened to be on the spot on the left field wall at Shea Stadium where Chávez made the catch) sponsored a special Bobblehead Doll day to commemorate the catch. Their advertising slogan, "The Strength To Be There," was an ironic coincidence in both a positive and negative manner (positive because of Chávez having the strength to be there and make the catch, and negative due to AIG's later financial problems). AIG continued to have an advertisement in that spot on the fence during Shea Stadium's final season, but by the time of the final game in September 2008 and the stadium's demolition in the winter of that year, the "strength to be there" slogan had been replaced with two AIG logos and no additional text.
The Left Field entrance gate of the Mets' current ballpark, Citi Field, features a metal silhouette of a baseball player making a leaping catch similar to the one Chávez made in the 2006 NLCS.
2007 and "The Bunt"
Chávez continued to contribute big hits in 2007. On April 24, 2007, in the 12th inning, Chávez made a drag bunt to drive in Shawn GreenShawn Green
Shawn David Green is a former Major League Baseball player.Green was a 1st round draft pick and a two-time major league All-Star...
for the winning run, giving the Mets a walk-off win against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, 2–1. The play is known as "The Bunt", and many newspapers coined the slogan "Endy Ends It"mainly because of the excitement of the game and the perfection of the drag bunt.
When regular left fielder Moisés Alou
Moisés Alou
Moisés Rojas Alou |Spanish:]] ; born July 3, 1966 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a former American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 17 seasons in the National League. In 1,942 career games, Alou had a batting average of .303 with 2,134 hits, 421 doubles, 332 home runs, and 1,287 runs...
was placed on the DL, Chávez, in a reprise of the previous season, moved up to fill his spot. Sporting a .292 BA, and maintaining his slick fielding, Chávez was a more than adequate replacement. However, on June 6, 2007 Chávez suffered a strained left hamstring while sprinting to first base on a double play ball. Two days later, he was placed on the 15-day DL. He returned from the DL on August 28.
During the 2007–2008 offseason, Chávez injured his right hamstring and right ankle while playing winter ball in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
for Navegantes del Magallanes
Navegantes del Magallanes
The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:...
.
2008
On September 28, the final day of the 2008 regular season and the final game at Shea StadiumShea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
, the Mets played the Florida Marlins. With an NL wildcard spot at stake for the Mets, Chávez made another terrific catch in the outfield during the top of the seventh inning, the same inning in which he entered the game as a defensive replacement. After a ball was hit hard and deep to left field by Jorge Cantú
Jorge Cantú
Jorge Luís Cantú Guzmán is an American professional baseball first baseman.Cantú bats and throws right-handed. He was born in McAllen, Texas, went to Sharyland High School, but was raised and makes his home in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.-Tampa Bay Devil Rays:Cantú was spotted by a scout while...
, Chávez fully extended to make the catch for the final out of the inning. A hit by Cantu would have scored one run to give the Marlins the lead and surely would have resulted in extra bases and kept the inning alive.
Seattle Mariners (2009)
The Mets traded Chávez along with Aaron HeilmanAaron Heilman
Aaron Michael Heilman is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. Heilman was drafted by the New York Mets out of Notre Dame in 2001. He came up through the Mets system as a starting pitcher but was converted to a relief pitcher in 2005...
(who was later traded to the Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
), and minor leaguers to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in a 12-player deal on December 10, 2008.
On June 19, 2009, while trying to catch a pop-up, Chavez collided with shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt
Yuniesky Betancourt
Yuniesky Betancourt is a Major League Baseball shortstop. He resides in Boca Raton, Florida.-Cuban leagues:...
and suffered a torn ACL in the right knee. Chavez missed the remainder of the 2009 season.
On November 6, 2009, he declared free agency.
Texas Rangers (2010–2011)
On February 15, 2010, Chavez agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
When Chavez fully recovered from his 2009 ACL injury, he was sent down to Double-A Frisco. Chavez was promoted quickly, posting a .545 batting average in 3 games. Chavez was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City soon after that, but he was on the DL yet again.
In 2011, he batted .301 with 5 home runs in 256 at bats. In game 7 of the 2011 world series Chavez was brought in as a pinch hitter, but never saw a pitch as he was promptly replaced by another pinch hitter when Arthur Rhodes entered the game.
Personal
Endy's brother Ender Chávez has also played minor league baseball with affiliates of the New York Mets, Montreal ExposMontreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
, Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, and in the Golden Baseball League
Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, based in San Ramon, California, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the North American League in the western United States, western Canada and Mexico....
through 2008.