Andres Galarraga

From BR Bullpen

Andres Jose Galarraga (Big Cat) born Andres Jose Padovani Galarraga

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 235 lb.

Debut August 23, 1985
Final Game October 3, 2004
Born June 18, 1961 in Caracas, Venezuela

[edit] Biographical Information

Andres Galarraga, the "Big Cat", is remembered primarily for his home-run hitting years in the favorable ballpark of the Colorado Rockies, but he also had good seasons with the Montreal Expos earlier in his career and the Atlanta Braves later in his career.

Never finishing higher than # 6 in the MVP voting, he was a five-time All-Star who won two Gold Gloves at first base while with the Expos, was the 1993 National League batting champion, the 1996 National League home run champ, and the 1996 and 1997 National League RBI leader, all with the Rockies. Based on Adjusted OPS, however, his best seasons were, in order, his 1993 year with the Rockies, his 1988 year with the Expos, and his 1998 year with the Braves. His 1996 and 1997 years are not in the top ten in the league in Adjusted OPS.

He ranks third on the all-time list for the most strikeouts as of 2006.

The two most similar players, according to the similarity scores method, are Orlando Cepeda and Jim Rice. Rice is a good comparison since they both played years in favorable hitters' parks. Cepeda, on the other hand, had the disadvantage of playing during the second dead-ball era, when it was much harder to post big stats.

Galarraga struggled with cancer twice during his career, once in 1999 and once in 2004. Had he not had cancer, he would likely have ended his career with more than the 398 home runs he accumulated.

He enjoyed painting landscapes in his spare time. He was active with the Denver Boys and Girls Club.