Arnie Muñoz
Encyclopedia
Arnaldo Rafel "Arnie" Muñoz (born June 21, 1982 in Mao, Dominican Republic
) is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
who is currently with the Petroleros de Minatitlan
of the Mexican League. Muñoz bats and throws left-handed.
in a start against the Montreal Expos
. It was a disaster; Muñoz allowed eleven runs in three innings (including nine in the second inning alone) tying for third all-time for most runs allowed in a major league debut. (Bill James
' "Game Score" statistic, which measures pitcher starts—50 is average, 90 is exceptional, below 20 is poor—scores Munoz' start as minus-7, the worst for a debut start since at least 1920.) http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?n1=munozar01&t=p&year=2004 Still, Muñoz almost did not emerge as the losing pitcher, as the Sox mounted an incredible comeback, finally falling 17-14. Muñoz went back to the minors, then returned in September, pitching fairly well in relief.
in September . Muñoz became the Nationals' left-handed specialist
after the team traded Ray King
to the Milwaukee Brewers
.
. However, Muñoz was assigned to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators
of the Eastern League at the end of the preseason. He became a free agent at the end of the season; he did not play in 2009.
As of 2010, Muñoz is pitching for Petroleros de Minatitlan
of the Mexican League.
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 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 is currently with the Petroleros de Minatitlan
Petroleros de Minatitlán
The Petroleros de Minatitlán are a AAA-level baseball team playing in the Mexican League. Their homefield is the Parque 18 de marzo de 1938 in Minatitlán, Veracruz....
of the Mexican League. Muñoz bats and throws left-handed.
Career
Muñoz made his major league debut in for the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in a start against the 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...
. It was a disaster; Muñoz allowed eleven runs in three innings (including nine in the second inning alone) tying for third all-time for most runs allowed in a major league debut. (Bill James
Bill James
George William “Bill” James is a baseball writer, historian, and statistician whose work has been widely influential. Since 1977, James has written more than two dozen books devoted to baseball history and statistics...
' "Game Score" statistic, which measures pitcher starts—50 is average, 90 is exceptional, below 20 is poor—scores Munoz' start as minus-7, the worst for a debut start since at least 1920.) http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?n1=munozar01&t=p&year=2004 Still, Muñoz almost did not emerge as the losing pitcher, as the Sox mounted an incredible comeback, finally falling 17-14. Muñoz went back to the minors, then returned in September, pitching fairly well in relief.
2007
Muñoz's contract was purchased by 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...
in September . Muñoz became the Nationals' left-handed specialist
Left-handed specialist
In baseball, a left-handed specialist is a left-handed relief pitcher who specializes in pitching to left-handed batters, or to switch-hitters who bat poorly right-handed...
after the team traded Ray King
Ray King
Raymond Keith King is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher. King stands at 6'0" tall and weighs 265 pounds. Because of his large size, former Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog playfully referred to King as The Hefty Lefty...
to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
2008 to present
Before the start of the season, it was not certain whom the Nationals would use as their left-handed specialist. Although neither was on the 40-man roster, both Muñoz and Ray King were invited to spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. However, Muñoz was assigned to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators
Harrisburg Senators
The Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
of the Eastern League at the end of the preseason. He became a free agent at the end of the season; he did not play in 2009.
As of 2010, Muñoz is pitching for Petroleros de Minatitlan
Petroleros de Minatitlán
The Petroleros de Minatitlán are a AAA-level baseball team playing in the Mexican League. Their homefield is the Parque 18 de marzo de 1938 in Minatitlán, Veracruz....
of the Mexican League.