Miguel Batista
Encyclopedia
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez (born February 19, 1971 in Santo Domingo
, Dominican Republic
) is a Dominican
professional baseball
pitcher
. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates
, Florida Marlins
, Chicago Cubs
, Montreal Expos
, Kansas City Royals
, Arizona Diamondbacks
, Toronto Blue Jays
, Seattle Mariners
, Washington Nationals
, St. Louis Cardinals
and New York Mets
, in his career.
and a reliever
. His best seasons came in and with the Arizona Diamondbacks
, when he went 11-8 and 10-9 with 3.36 and 3.54 ERAs
respectively.
prior to the season, but struggled in his first season with his new club, posting a 4.80 ERA and losing his starter's job late in the season. In , Batista was the Jays closer
and blew 8 saves. He was put on the trading block after the Blue Jays signed B.J. Ryan
to a large contract to be their new closer. They traded Batista back to the Diamondbacks during the 2005 offseason along with Orlando Hudson
for Troy Glaus
and prospect Sergio Santos
. Batista's record in Arizona was 11-8 with an ERA of 4.58.
, but Arizona was not willing to commit to a multi-year deal; in December, Batista signed a three-year contract with the Seattle Mariners worth $24 million. Batista had a solid first season with the Mariners, going 16-11 with a 4.29 ERA. During the offseason Batista pitches for the Aguilas Cibaeñas
of the Dominican Winter League
During 2008, he had the lowest percentage of quality start
s in the majors, at 25%, and the fewest innings pitched per start, at 4.6.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-starter-pitching.shtml He threw strikes in 57% of his pitches, the lowest rate in the majors.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-pitches-pitching.shtml In 2009, he was moved to a long relief role in the bullpen.
On November 6, 2009, Batista declared free agency.
. He was nominated because in the off-season he traveled throughout the United States
and Latin America
to deliver baseball equipment, medical supplies, and speak to kids of all ages to stress the importance of education and determination. Batista said this about being nominated for helping the less fortunate:
with an invite to spring training. On July 27, 2010 Batista was called on to replace the injured Stephen Strasburg
a mere 10 minutes before gametime. Surprisingly, Batista threw 5 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits and recording 6 strikeouts. Following the game, in which he was booed twice for replacing much-touted Stephen Strasburg
, Batista told reporters, "Imagine, if you go there to see Miss Universe — and you end up having Miss Iowa." When Miss Iowa USA
Katherine Connors
heard about the comment, she replied in a statement, "I know I can throw a pitch or two! The question is, can Miguel Batista walk the runway in a swimsuit?" Batista sent her flowers and she was invited to throw a ceremonial pitch at Nationals Park on 30 July 2010. He later clarified his statement by saying, "People started booing me, and they hadn't seen me throw a pitch yet. It's like you hear 'Miss Iowa,' and you say, 'Iowa?' And then you see her up close and you say, 'Wow, she's gorgeous.'" Batista has been invited to judge the 2011 Miss Iowa USA competition.
Batista finished the season with a 3.87 ERA and became a free agent.
announced Miguel Batista signed a minor league deal on January 14, 2011. In a spring training game, Batista hit Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond on the back. Later, when asked if the pitch hurt, Desmond replied, "Miggy throws like Miss Iowa. No big deal."
Batista made the opening day roster out of spring training.
On Friday, April 22, with imminent severe weather moving into the area in the area and the increasingly likely threat of a rain delay at first pitch, the Cardinals opted to switch their starting pitcher for the game - calling on Batista to make his first start of the season in favor of scheduled starter Kyle McClellan
. The rain began falling at the start of the game as predicted and the umpire crew opted for a rain delay. Two hours later the Cardinals were able to send their scheduled starter McClellan back to the mound while the opposing Cincinnati Reds had lost their starter.
The next day, this time after a 42-minute rain delay, the Cardinals again called on Batista - this time in relief in the 8th inning. After getting Ryan Hanigan
to make the first out Batista ran into trouble. An error from third baseman David Freese
put a man on 2nd with only one out. After striking out Brandon Phillips
and intentionally walking Joey Votto
, Batista hit Jonny Gomes
with an 0-2 count to load the bases. He was then lifted in favor of lefty Trever Miller
who would force home a run with a bases-loaded walk. Miller yielded to ex-closer Ryan Franklin
who allowed a single by Miguel Cairo
to plate two more runs and put Batista on the hook for the loss. Despite taking the loss, according to the commentators, Batista became the first pitcher since 2005 to start in a game and then relieve in the next game.
He was released on June 22, after recording a 4.90 ERA in 29 1/3 innings.
on July 4, 2011. On August 28, 2011 the Mets selected his contract from Buffalo. He made his first start with the Mets on September 1, 2011 and won his 100th career game. On September 28, 2011, the New York Mets' final game of the season, Batista started against the Cincinnati Reds
and pitched a two-hit, complete-game shutout.
and philosophy
, and he has written a book of poetry in Spanish
titled Sentimientos en Blanco y Negro ("Feelings in Black and White"). Batista has also published The Avenger of Blood
, a thriller about a serial killer. The novel was released on December 12, 2006 in the United States, and met with mixed reviews. It was released on January 25, 2007 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and on February 10, 2007 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where it has had some success.
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, 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...
) is a Dominican
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...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
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...
. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, Chicago 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...
, 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...
, 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...
, Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, 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...
, 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...
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and 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...
, in his career.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Over his career, Batista has played for eight teams and been utilized extensively as both a starterStarting 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....
and a reliever
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...
. His best seasons came in and with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, when he went 11-8 and 10-9 with 3.36 and 3.54 ERAs
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...
respectively.
Toronto Blue Jays
He signed a three-year $13.1-million contract with the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
prior to the season, but struggled in his first season with his new club, posting a 4.80 ERA and losing his starter's job late in the season. In , Batista was the Jays 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...
and blew 8 saves. He was put on the trading block after the Blue Jays signed B.J. Ryan
B.J. Ryan
Robert Victor "B.J." Ryan, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Though he never officially retired, Ryan has not played since .-Career:Ryan started his career as a left-handed specialist...
to a large contract to be their new closer. They traded Batista back to the Diamondbacks during the 2005 offseason along with Orlando Hudson
Orlando Hudson
Orlando Thill Hudson is an American professional baseball second baseman with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball.-Early life and high school career:...
for Troy Glaus
Troy Glaus
Troy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
and prospect Sergio Santos
Sergio Santos
Sergio Jose Santos is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox.-Draft and career as a shortstop:...
. Batista's record in Arizona was 11-8 with an ERA of 4.58.
Seattle Mariners
After the season, the Diamondbacks offered Batista arbitration, as he was a free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
, but Arizona was not willing to commit to a multi-year deal; in December, Batista signed a three-year contract with the Seattle Mariners worth $24 million. Batista had a solid first season with the Mariners, going 16-11 with a 4.29 ERA. During the offseason Batista pitches for the Aguilas Cibaeñas
Águilas Cibaeñas
The Águilas Cibaeñas are a team in the Dominican Republic's winter baseball league. Founded in and based in Santiago, they have won 5 Caribbean Series and 20 national titles. The Águilas have a large fan base in the Dominican Republic...
of the Dominican Winter League
During 2008, he had the lowest percentage of quality start
Quality start
In baseball, a quality start is a statistic for a starting pitcher defined as a game in which the pitcher completes at least six innings and permits no more than three earned runs....
s in the majors, at 25%, and the fewest innings pitched per start, at 4.6.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-starter-pitching.shtml He threw strikes in 57% of his pitches, the lowest rate in the majors.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-pitches-pitching.shtml In 2009, he was moved to a long relief role in the bullpen.
On November 6, 2009, Batista declared free agency.
Roberto Clemente Award nomination
On September 2 Batista was nominated for the Roberto Clemente AwardRoberto Clemente Award
The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team", as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. It is named for Hall of Fame...
. He was nominated because in the off-season he traveled throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
to deliver baseball equipment, medical supplies, and speak to kids of all ages to stress the importance of education and determination. Batista said this about being nominated for helping the less fortunate:
Washington Nationals
On January 29, 2010, Batista agreed to a minor league contract with the Washington NationalsWashington 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...
with an invite to spring training. On July 27, 2010 Batista was called on to replace the injured Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg
Stephen James Strasburg is a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who selected him with the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft...
a mere 10 minutes before gametime. Surprisingly, Batista threw 5 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits and recording 6 strikeouts. Following the game, in which he was booed twice for replacing much-touted Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg
Stephen James Strasburg is a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who selected him with the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft...
, Batista told reporters, "Imagine, if you go there to see Miss Universe — and you end up having Miss Iowa." When Miss Iowa USA
Miss Iowa USA
The Miss Iowa USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Iowa in the Miss USA pageant.While Iowa has not been greatly successful in the past four decades, they were one of the most consistent states in the first decade of the pageant's existence...
Katherine Connors
Katherine Connors
Katherine "Katie" Anna Connors is a model and beauty queen from Bettendorf, Iowa who holds the Miss Iowa USA 2010 title and who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.-Pageants:...
heard about the comment, she replied in a statement, "I know I can throw a pitch or two! The question is, can Miguel Batista walk the runway in a swimsuit?" Batista sent her flowers and she was invited to throw a ceremonial pitch at Nationals Park on 30 July 2010. He later clarified his statement by saying, "People started booing me, and they hadn't seen me throw a pitch yet. It's like you hear 'Miss Iowa,' and you say, 'Iowa?' And then you see her up close and you say, 'Wow, she's gorgeous.'" Batista has been invited to judge the 2011 Miss Iowa USA competition.
Batista finished the season with a 3.87 ERA and became a free agent.
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
announced Miguel Batista signed a minor league deal on January 14, 2011. In a spring training game, Batista hit Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond on the back. Later, when asked if the pitch hurt, Desmond replied, "Miggy throws like Miss Iowa. No big deal."
Batista made the opening day roster out of spring training.
On Friday, April 22, with imminent severe weather moving into the area in the area and the increasingly likely threat of a rain delay at first pitch, the Cardinals opted to switch their starting pitcher for the game - calling on Batista to make his first start of the season in favor of scheduled starter Kyle McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
. The rain began falling at the start of the game as predicted and the umpire crew opted for a rain delay. Two hours later the Cardinals were able to send their scheduled starter McClellan back to the mound while the opposing Cincinnati Reds had lost their starter.
The next day, this time after a 42-minute rain delay, the Cardinals again called on Batista - this time in relief in the 8th inning. After getting Ryan Hanigan
Ryan Hanigan
Ryan M. Hanigan is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Cincinnati Reds.Hanigan made his debut at the end of the season as a September call-up. He debuted on September 9 as a pinch hitter, and recorded his first major-league hit in that at-bat...
to make the first out Batista ran into trouble. An error from third baseman David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
put a man on 2nd with only one out. After striking out Brandon Phillips
Brandon Phillips
Brandon Emil Phillips is a second baseman for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds. The Raleigh, North Carolina native was selected in the second round of the 1999 draft by the former Montreal Expos after signing a letter of intent to play both baseball and football at the University of Georgia...
and intentionally walking Joey Votto
Joey Votto
Joseph Daniel "Joey" Votto, is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is the 2010 NL MVP, the recipient of the National League Hank Aaron Award for 2010, and won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's athlete of the year in 2010.-Early life:Votto was born on...
, Batista hit Jonny Gomes
Jonny Gomes
Jonathan Johnson "Jonny" Gomes is an American professional baseball outfielder.-Early years:...
with an 0-2 count to load the bases. He was then lifted in favor of lefty Trever Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
who would force home a run with a bases-loaded walk. Miller yielded to ex-closer Ryan Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
who allowed a single by Miguel Cairo
Miguel Cairo
Miguel Jesús Cairo is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently with the Cincinnati Reds. He has mostly played second base during his career, but has played every position in baseball except catcher and pitcher. He currently plays mostly third base, in place of Scott Rolen during his...
to plate two more runs and put Batista on the hook for the loss. Despite taking the loss, according to the commentators, Batista became the first pitcher since 2005 to start in a game and then relieve in the next game.
He was released on June 22, after recording a 4.90 ERA in 29 1/3 innings.
New York Mets
Batista signed a minor league contract with the New York MetsNew 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...
on July 4, 2011. On August 28, 2011 the Mets selected his contract from Buffalo. He made his first start with the Mets on September 1, 2011 and won his 100th career game. On September 28, 2011, the New York Mets' final game of the season, Batista started against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and pitched a two-hit, complete-game shutout.
Writing career
Aside from being a baseball player, Batista is known for his love of poetryPoetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
and philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, and he has written a book of poetry in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
titled Sentimientos en Blanco y Negro ("Feelings in Black and White"). Batista has also published The Avenger of Blood
Through the Eyes of the Law
Through the Eyes of the Law , a book by Major League Baseball pitcher Miguel Batista, is a thriller about a serial killer. It was released on January 25 in the Dominican Republic and on February 10 in Puerto Rico. It has achieved success in both countries...
, a thriller about a serial killer. The novel was released on December 12, 2006 in the United States, and met with mixed reviews. It was released on January 25, 2007 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and on February 10, 2007 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where it has had some success.