Rolando Arrojo
Encyclopedia
Luis Rolando Arrojo Avila (born July 18, 1968 in Havana
, Cuba
) was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
who pitched from to .
Arrojo made his mark with the teams from Villa Clara in the Cuban National Series
, where he still is the all-time leader in hit batsmen
. He was the staff ace on the Villa Clara team that won 3 consecutive Cuban National Series in 1993, 1994, and 1995. He was a member of the 1992 Olympic
team that won the gold medal
.
A 1994 Cuban baseball card gives his birthplace as San Juan de los Yeras, Villa Clara
, May 29, 1964.
After defecting from the Cuban national team just before the 1996 Summer Olympics
, Arrojo signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in -- one year before the team started playing, as that expansion team (along with the Arizona Diamondbacks
) was permitted to start and maintain a minor league
system starting that year. He made his debut with the expansion Devil Rays in 1998 and was an immediate sensation, becoming the team's first All-Star. He finished 1998 with a strong (for the team that went 63-99) 14-12 record and a 3.56 ERA
in 202 innings.
However, in , with teams and hitters more familiar with him and with his developing health problems (as critics claimed, these health problems were due to a lack of condition by Arrojo and his refusal to listen to coaches), Arrojo's numbers began to deteriorate, and he showed signs of inability to get left-handed
hitters out. He pitched just 140.2 innings with a 5.18 ERA. After the season, the Devil Rays traded him to the Colorado Rockies
with Aaron Ledesma
for Vinny Castilla
. Late in , the Rockies in turn traded him with Rich Croushore
, Mike Lansing
, and cash to the Boston Red Sox
for Jeff Frye
, Brian Rose
, John Wasdin
, and minor leaguer Jeff Taglienti. Arrojo spent the rest of the season in the Red Sox rotation, but was largely ineffective. He then spent the following two seasons as a part-time starter and a part-time reliever for the Red Sox with moderate success. He was not re-signed after the 2002 season.
In his career, Arrojo finished with a 4.55 ERA in 700 innings.
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
) was a 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...
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...
who pitched from to .
Arrojo made his mark with the teams from Villa Clara in the Cuban National Series
Cuban National Series
The Cuban National Series is the primary domestic amateur baseball competition in Cuba. Formed after the dissolution of the Cuban League in the wake of the Cuban Revolution, the Series is a part of the Cuban national baseball system.-League structure:...
, where he still is the all-time leader in hit batsmen
Hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:...
. He was the staff ace on the Villa Clara team that won 3 consecutive Cuban National Series in 1993, 1994, and 1995. He was a member of the 1992 Olympic
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
team that won the gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
.
A 1994 Cuban baseball card gives his birthplace as San Juan de los Yeras, Villa Clara
Villa Clara Province
Villa Clara is one of the provinces of Cuba. It is located in the central region of the island bordering with the Atlantic at north, Matanzas Province by west, Sancti Spiritus by east, and Cienfuegos on the South. Villa Clara shares with Cienfuegos and Sancti Spiritus on the south the Escambray...
, May 29, 1964.
After defecting from the Cuban national team just before the 1996 Summer Olympics
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
, Arrojo signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in -- one year before the team started playing, as that expansion team (along 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...
) was permitted to start and maintain a minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
system starting that year. He made his debut with the expansion Devil Rays in 1998 and was an immediate sensation, becoming the team's first All-Star. He finished 1998 with a strong (for the team that went 63-99) 14-12 record and a 3.56 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 202 innings.
However, in , with teams and hitters more familiar with him and with his developing health problems (as critics claimed, these health problems were due to a lack of condition by Arrojo and his refusal to listen to coaches), Arrojo's numbers began to deteriorate, and he showed signs of inability to get 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...
hitters out. He pitched just 140.2 innings with a 5.18 ERA. After the season, the Devil Rays traded him to 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...
with Aaron Ledesma
Aaron Ledesma
Aaron David Ledesma was a Major League Baseball infielder.-Playing career:Ledesma was drafted in the second round of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Mets. Prior to the 1996 season, he was traded by the Mets to the California Angels for Kevin Flora...
for Vinny Castilla
Vinny Castilla
Vinicio "Vinny" Castilla Soria is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who played his best years with the Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves...
. Late in , the Rockies in turn traded him with Rich Croushore
Rich Croushore
Richard Steven Croushore is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for three different teams between and . Listed at 6' 4", 210 lb., Croushore batted and threw right-handed. He was signed by the St...
, Mike Lansing
Mike Lansing
Michael Thomas Lansing is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies, and the Boston Red Sox between 1993 and 2001...
, and cash to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for Jeff Frye
Jeff Frye
Jeffrey Dustin Frye is an American former professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball with the Texas Rangers, the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and the Colorado Rockies for parts of 1992-2001. He is 5'9 and 165 lbs. and he bats and throws right-handed...
, Brian Rose
Brian Rose (baseball player)
Brian Leonard Rose is a former Major League Baseball player.Rose was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1994 amateur draft by the Boston Red Sox. In the process he turned down several scholarship offers, including a baseball/hockey scholarship to the University of Michigan...
, John Wasdin
John Wasdin
John Truman Wasdin is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball. He was born in Fort Belvoir, Virginia and raised in Tallahassee, Florida....
, and minor leaguer Jeff Taglienti. Arrojo spent the rest of the season in the Red Sox rotation, but was largely ineffective. He then spent the following two seasons as a part-time starter and a part-time reliever for the Red Sox with moderate success. He was not re-signed after the 2002 season.
In his career, Arrojo finished with a 4.55 ERA in 700 innings.