Juan Carlos Pulido
Encyclopedia
Juan Carlos Pulido Valera [poo-LEE-do] (born August 5, 1971 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a former relief pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Minnesota Twins
in 1994 and between 2003–2004. He batted and threw left-handed
.
Signed at 18 in 1989 by Minnesota, the hard-throwing Pulido was a bright prospect in the Twins' system, but a 1995 arm injury ruined his chances as a starter
.
Pulido has the rare distinction of having the longest gap in true major league service time of any major league player. He pitched for the Twins in 1994, but then spent nearly a decade languishing in the minor leagues
and other countries. He returned to the Twins in 2003 – a nine-year absence from the majors. Minnie Miñoso and Satchel Paige
did see longer gaps in their major league careers. However, their returns to the majors were brief publicity stunts. In contrast, Pulido contributed to a contending team in 2003 and 2004.
In a three-season career, Pulido posted a 3–8 record with 47 strikeout
s and a 5.98 ERA
in 111⅔ innings
.
He had a successful career in Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
(Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional), playing for Navegantes del Magallanes
, Tigres de Aragua
and Cardenales de Lara
. Lifetime, he had a 68–51 record, with a 3.08 ERA, in 234 appearances. In 2007, he did not play in any Summer League, instead coaching for the Texas Rangers
Single-A team in the minor leagues. He was released by Cardenales in Venezuela, and rehired by his original team, Magallanes.
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...
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...
who played for the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in 1994 and between 2003–2004. He batted and threw 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...
.
Signed at 18 in 1989 by Minnesota, the hard-throwing Pulido was a bright prospect in the Twins' system, but a 1995 arm injury ruined his chances as a starter
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....
.
Pulido has the rare distinction of having the longest gap in true major league service time of any major league player. He pitched for the Twins in 1994, but then spent nearly a decade languishing in the minor leagues
Minor 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...
and other countries. He returned to the Twins in 2003 – a nine-year absence from the majors. Minnie Miñoso and Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
did see longer gaps in their major league careers. However, their returns to the majors were brief publicity stunts. In contrast, Pulido contributed to a contending team in 2003 and 2004.
In a three-season career, Pulido posted a 3–8 record with 47 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and a 5.98 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...
in 111⅔ innings
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
.
He had a successful career in Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League or Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional is the highest level baseball league in Venezuela.-Brief history:Baseball exploded in Venezuela in 1941, following the world championship in Havana....
(Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional), playing 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:...
, Tigres de Aragua
Tigres de Aragua
The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay...
and Cardenales de Lara
Cardenales de Lara
The Cardenales de Lara is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Founded in 1942 and based in Barquisimeto, the Cardenales have won four domestic titles, the most recent in 2001.-Notable players:* Luis Sojo* Luis Leal...
. Lifetime, he had a 68–51 record, with a 3.08 ERA, in 234 appearances. In 2007, he did not play in any Summer League, instead coaching for the Texas Rangers
Texas 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...
Single-A team in the minor leagues. He was released by Cardenales in Venezuela, and rehired by his original team, Magallanes.