José Guzmán

Note: This page discusses 1980s and 1990s pitcher José Guzmán. For others of the same name, click here.

Jose Alberto Guzman Mirabel

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
• High School John F. Kennedy High School (Santa Isabel)
• Debut September 10, 1985
• Final Game May 23, 1994
• Born April 9, 1963 in Santa Isabel, P.R.

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Jose Guzman was signed as an amateur free agent by the Texas Rangers and scout Orlando Gomez in February 1981.

He reached the majors with the Rangers at the end of the 1985 season, going 3-2, 2.76 in 5 starts. In 1986 as a rookie he went 9-15, 4.54 for a team that featured a number of promising youngsters such as OFs Pete Incaviglia, Ruben Sierra and Oddibe McDowell, fellow starting pitchers Ed Correa and Bobby Witt and reliever Mitch Williams, all of whom were 23 or younger and were already big league regulars. The Rangers were widely expected to develop into a powerhouse as a result, but it wasn't to be. Guzman did have a few good seasons, however, winning in double figures in 1987 and 1988, then after missing two full seasons with arm injuries, again in 1991 and 1992. He won the American League Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1991 and in 1992, he set a personal best with 16 wins, finishing at 16-11, 3.66.

Following the 1992 season, he signed with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent and had another good season in 1993, going 12-10, 4.34 in 30 starts. However, arm woes got to him again in 1994, when he made just 4 starts, the last on May 23rd, going 2-2. Overall in 8 major league seasons, he was 80-74, 4.05 with 889 strikeouts in 1224 1/3 innings.

After a career plagued with shoulder injuries, Guzman made a comeback with the Fort Worth Cats in 2001 and went 5-2 with a 1.65 ERA. He returned to the Cats in 2002, and starting in 2003, was a Spanish language radio broadcaster for the Rangers. In 2014, he attended spring training as a special instructor for the team.

Notable Achievements

• 1991 AL Comeback Player of the Year Award
• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1992)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1987, 1988 & 1992)