Pablo Ozuna
Encyclopedia
Pablo José Ozuna is a retired Dominican Republic
professional baseball utility player. During his major league
career, he played for the Florida Marlins
the Colorado Rockies
, the Chicago White Sox
(-), and the Los Angeles Dodgers
.
in , Ozuna spent two years in the Cardinal farm system before being traded with Braden Looper
and Armando Almanza
to the Florida Marlins for Edgar Rentería
on December 14, .
to the Colorado Rockies for Mike Hampton
and Juan Pierre
on November 16, 2002. In 48 games with Florida, Ozuna had 21 hits
in 71 at bat
s for a .295 batting average
.
. Ozuna also had 14 stolen base
s including a steal of home
. He was brought back in and on May 3, 2006, he hit his first career home run
, a solo shot, to tie the game with two outs in the 9th inning against Eddie Guardado
of the Seattle Mariners
.
On October 12, 2005, during Game 2 of the ALCS
, A. J. Pierzynski
advanced to first base on a controversial dropped third strike
call. Ozuna pinch ran for him, stealing second base on the second pitch of the at bat to Joe Crede
. Ozuna scored the game winning run
on a double
by Crede to end the controversial game. It was one of only two games Ozuna appeared in during the postseason as the White Sox won the World Series
(the other being the night before).
On May 3, 2006, Ozuna hit a 2-out game tying home run in the bottom of the ninth, forcing the game into extra innings after a blown save by Cliff Politte
. In the bottom of the 11th, Ozuna had another two out hit, a bouncer up the middle that he stretched into a double. His heads up play allowed Juan Uribe
to bat in the winning run with a soft fly ball to short left center.
In , Ozuna was injured in a game against Tampa leading off the 1st inning.
Ozuna was designated for assignment on July 8, 2008, and released on July 16.
for the remainder of the season. On July 20, 2008, in his first game with the Dodgers, was put in as a pinch-runner for Andy LaRoche
after he singled in a run to make it a one-run game against the Arizona Diamondbacks
in the top of the ninth with two out. Matt Kemp
then doubled him home, tying the game. The Dodgers eventually won the game, and tied with Arizona for first place in the N.L. West.
On September 19, 2008, he hit his 3rd career home run.
. On June 11, he was suspended 50 games for violating the Major League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He was released on August 8, 2009.
of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
. He played in 28 games for the Bears, hitting .294.
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...
professional baseball utility player. During his major league
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...
career, he played for 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...
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...
, 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...
(-), and the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
.
St. Louis Cardinals
Originally signed by the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in , Ozuna spent two years in the Cardinal farm system before being traded with Braden Looper
Braden Looper
Braden LaVerne Looper is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-High school:Looper was a scholar athlete while a student at Mangum High School in Mangum, Oklahoma...
and Armando Almanza
Armando Almanza
Armando N. Almanza is a former left-handed relief pitcher, who last played for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also played for the Florida Marlins and the Atlanta Braves in his career....
to the Florida Marlins for Edgar Rentería
Edgar Rentería
Edgar Enrique Rentería Herazo , nicknamed "The Barranquilla Baby," is a Colombian professional baseball shortstop. He throws and bats right-handed. Previously, he has played for the Florida Marlins, the St...
on December 14, .
Florida Marlins
Ozuna would spend four years with the Marlins organization before being traded again. This time he was traded with Charles Johnson and Vic DarensbourgVic Darensbourg
Victor Anthony "Vic" Darensbourg is a journeyman Major League Baseball pitcher, who currently plays for the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League...
to the Colorado Rockies for Mike Hampton
Mike Hampton
Michael William Hampton is a left-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. During his career, Hampton was well known for being one of the best hitting pitchers of his time, as well as for his large contract and frequent injuries.-Early career:Mike Hampton was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in...
and Juan Pierre
Juan Pierre
Juan D'Vaughn Pierre is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws left-handed....
on November 16, 2002. In 48 games with Florida, Ozuna had 21 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 71 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s for a .295 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.
Colorado Rockies
Ozuna spent one year with the Colorado Rockies. In 17 games, he had 8 hits in 40 at bats for a .200 batting average. He was released on December 14, 2003.Chicago White Sox
Ozuna signed with the Chicago White Sox on January 19, . He appeared in a career high 70 games and also had career highs with 203 at bats, 56 hits, and 11 RBIRun batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
. Ozuna also had 14 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s including a steal of home
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
. He was brought back in and on May 3, 2006, he hit his first career home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
, a solo shot, to tie the game with two outs in the 9th inning against Eddie Guardado
Eddie Guardado
Edward Adrian Guardado is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Throughout his career, Guardado had played with the Minnesota Twins , Seattle Mariners , Cincinnati Reds , and the Rangers .His common nickname is "Everyday Eddie", a testament to his durable arm during his first stint with the...
of the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
.
On October 12, 2005, during Game 2 of the ALCS
2005 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, IllinoisIn the series opener, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won 3–2 in their third game in as many nights and as many cities. The Angels took the lead in the second inning on a Garret Anderson home run. The Angels added two...
, A. J. Pierzynski
A. J. Pierzynski
Anthony John "A. J." Pierzynski is an American Major League Baseball catcher who is currently with the Chicago White Sox. Pierzynski previously played with the Minnesota Twins and San Francisco Giants . Pierzynski was also a wrestler for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Early life:Anthony John...
advanced to first base on a controversial dropped third strike
Dropped third strike
In baseball, an uncaught third strike occurs when the catcher fails to cleanly catch a pitch for the third strike. A pitch is considered uncaught if the ball touches the ground before being caught, or if the ball is dropped after being grasped...
call. Ozuna pinch ran for him, stealing second base on the second pitch of the at bat to Joe Crede
Joe Crede
Joseph Taylor Crede is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent. Crede attended high school at Fatima High School in Westphalia, Missouri which he led to 3 district championships and two final four berths as a pitcher...
. Ozuna scored the game winning run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
on a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
by Crede to end the controversial game. It was one of only two games Ozuna appeared in during the postseason as the White Sox won the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
(the other being the night before).
On May 3, 2006, Ozuna hit a 2-out game tying home run in the bottom of the ninth, forcing the game into extra innings after a blown save by Cliff Politte
Cliff Politte
Cliff Anthony Politte is a right-handed Major League Baseball retired relief pitcher.Selected in the 54th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, Politte came up to the parent club in . He threw the first pitch at the new Roger Dean Stadium in spring training that...
. In the bottom of the 11th, Ozuna had another two out hit, a bouncer up the middle that he stretched into a double. His heads up play allowed Juan Uribe
Juan Uribe
Juan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
to bat in the winning run with a soft fly ball to short left center.
In , Ozuna was injured in a game against Tampa leading off the 1st inning.
Ozuna was designated for assignment on July 8, 2008, and released on July 16.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On July 20, 2008, he signed with the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for the remainder of the season. On July 20, 2008, in his first game with the Dodgers, was put in as a pinch-runner for Andy LaRoche
Andy LaRoche
Andrew Christian LaRoche is an American professional baseball third baseman who is a free agent....
after he singled in a run to make it a one-run game against 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...
in the top of the ninth with two out. Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
then doubled him home, tying the game. The Dodgers eventually won the game, and tied with Arizona for first place in the N.L. West.
On September 19, 2008, he hit his 3rd career home run.
Philadelphia Phillies
On January 15, , Ozuna signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Philadelphia Phillies, but began the season with the Phillies AAA minor league team, Lehigh Valley IronPigsLehigh Valley IronPigs
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a minor league baseball team that plays in the International League. The IronPigs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The team plays their home games at Coca-Cola Park, which is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania...
. On June 11, he was suspended 50 games for violating the Major League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He was released on August 8, 2009.
Newark Bears
On July 9, Ozuna signed a contract with the Newark BearsNewark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
. He played in 28 games for the Bears, hitting .294.