Omir Santos
Encyclopedia
Omir Santos Rios is a Major League Baseball
catcher
. Santos has played for the Baltimore Orioles
, New York Mets
and Detroit Tigers
.
in Union, Missouri
. The New York Yankees
drafted Santos in the 21st round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft
, but he made his major league debut in 2008 for the Baltimore Orioles
. In January 2009, he signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. And then after not playing in 2010 Santos left to sign with the Detroit Tigers
.
after starting the season with the AAA Buffalo Bisons
.
On April 27, 2009, Santos hit his first career home run, a grand slam off the Florida Marlins
Aníbal Sánchez
. It was the first grand slam hit in Citi Field. The home run also produced his first career RBI.
On May 23, 2009, Santos hit a two-run go-ahead home run off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon
at Fenway Park
in the ninth inning with two outs which was the difference maker in the game.
On May 29, 2009, against the Florida Marlins
, he hit a game-tying home run in the fifth inning, only to hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the 11th. Soon after the game, the Mets traded their other backup catcher Ramon Castro
to the Chicago White Sox
for pitcher Lance Broadway
, ensuring that Santos stays with the team as the backup catcher to Brian Schneider
.
On November 25, 2009, Santos was named on the 51st annual Topps All-Star Rookie team.Santos finished the season with seven home runs 40 runs batted in 73 hits and a .260 average.
On February 20, 2010, the Mets signed catcher Rod Barajas
to a Major League deal. With Henry Blanco
serving as the backup catcher, Santos began the season in the minor leagues. On June 4, 2010, The Mets called up Santos to backup the Mets backup catcher Henry Blanco
who was a "bit banged up". He was optioned back to the minors on June 7.
On November 10, 2010, Santos refused his minor league assignment and became a free agent.
. On April 19 against the Seattle Mariners Santos got a pinch hit single. The next day he got the start were he went 0 for 4 and caught nine innings. Santos was recalled again in August to replace Miguel Cabrera
who was attending the birth of his child. The Tigers used Cabrera's paternity leave as an opportunity for Santos to catch a game in place of Alex Avila
, who had started the previous 18 games. Regular backup catcher Víctor Martínez had been limited to designated hitter due to injury.
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...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
. Santos has played for the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, 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...
and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
.
Career
He attended East Central CollegeEast Central College
East Central College is a community college with five locations in central Missouri. The main campus is located in Union, Missouri, sitting on over . In addition, ECC also offers classes in Sullivan, Rolla, Washington and Warrenton. Approximately 4,400 students are enrolled in classes each...
in Union, Missouri
Union, Missouri
Union is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,204 at the 2010 census making Union the fastest growing community in Franklin County, Missouri. It is located on the Bourbeuse River. The city was founded in 1827 and is named after the...
. The New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
drafted Santos in the 21st round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft
2001 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Background:The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be...
, but he made his major league debut in 2008 for the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. In January 2009, he signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. And then after not playing in 2010 Santos left to sign with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
.
Baltimore Orioles
In September Omir Santos was called up from the Norfolk tides and was giving number 67. Santos played in 11 games and had 10 at bats, recording one hit. In that season he caught nine games, starting three.New York Mets
On April 17, 2009, Santos was called up to the Mets to replace the injured Brian SchneiderBrian Schneider
Brian Duncan Schneider is an American Major League Baseball catcher.-Early life:Schneider was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Peter and Karen Schneider...
after starting the season with the AAA Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
.
On April 27, 2009, Santos hit his first career home run, a grand slam off the 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...
Aníbal Sánchez
Aníbal Sánchez
Aníbal Alejandro Sánchez, Jr. [a-NEE-bal] is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Miami Marlins. He is listed as 6 feet tall and 180 pounds...
. It was the first grand slam hit in Citi Field. The home run also produced his first career RBI.
On May 23, 2009, Santos hit a two-run go-ahead home run off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon
Jonathan Papelbon
Jonathan Robert Papelbon is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. Before joining the Phillies, Papelbon played with the Boston Red Sox from 2005-2011....
at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
in the ninth inning with two outs which was the difference maker in the game.
On May 29, 2009, against the 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...
, he hit a game-tying home run in the fifth inning, only to hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the 11th. Soon after the game, the Mets traded their other backup catcher Ramon Castro
Ramón Castro
Ramón Abraham Castro is a Major League Baseball catcher.-Early career:On June 2 1994 Castro was selected by the Houston Astros in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft, becoming the first Puerto Rican to ever be drafted in the first round...
to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago 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...
for pitcher Lance Broadway
Lance Broadway
Lance Daniel Broadway is an American Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He is 6'3" and throws right-handed.-High school and college:...
, ensuring that Santos stays with the team as the backup catcher to Brian Schneider
Brian Schneider
Brian Duncan Schneider is an American Major League Baseball catcher.-Early life:Schneider was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Peter and Karen Schneider...
.
On November 25, 2009, Santos was named on the 51st annual Topps All-Star Rookie team.Santos finished the season with seven home runs 40 runs batted in 73 hits and a .260 average.
On February 20, 2010, the Mets signed catcher Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
to a Major League deal. With Henry Blanco
Henry Blanco
Henry Ramón Blanco is a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He currently plays in Major League Baseball as a catcher and is currently a free agent...
serving as the backup catcher, Santos began the season in the minor leagues. On June 4, 2010, The Mets called up Santos to backup the Mets backup catcher Henry Blanco
Henry Blanco
Henry Ramón Blanco is a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He currently plays in Major League Baseball as a catcher and is currently a free agent...
who was a "bit banged up". He was optioned back to the minors on June 7.
On November 10, 2010, Santos refused his minor league assignment and became a free agent.
Detroit Tigers
During the 2010 MLB Winter Meetings, Santos signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers. He was promoted to the Tigers on April 19 and was given number 18 to fill in for injured backup catcher Victor MartínezVíctor Martínez
Víctor Jesús Martínez , also known by his nickname "V-Mart", is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher and first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.-Cleveland Indians :...
. On April 19 against the Seattle Mariners Santos got a pinch hit single. The next day he got the start were he went 0 for 4 and caught nine innings. Santos was recalled again in August to replace Miguel Cabrera
Miguel Cabrera
José Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
who was attending the birth of his child. The Tigers used Cabrera's paternity leave as an opportunity for Santos to catch a game in place of Alex Avila
Alex Avila
Alexander Thomas Avila is an American professional baseball catcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He is 5' 11" tall and weighs 210 pounds. Avila was born in Hialeah, Florida.-Early Baseball Career:...
, who had started the previous 18 games. Regular backup catcher Víctor Martínez had been limited to designated hitter due to injury.