Rafael Belliard
Encyclopedia
Rafael Leonidas Belliard Matias (born October 24, 1961, in Pueblo Nuevo, Dominican Republic
) is a former Major League Baseball shortstop
. He is currently the infield coach for the Detroit Tigers
.
Belliard first signed up as a pro player with the Pittsburgh Pirates
organization in 1980. After the 1990 season
, Belliard was granted his free agency, and he signed up with the Atlanta Braves
in 1991. That turned out to be that team's breakout National League Champion year. Belliard is best remembered in the minds of some Atlantans for his nearly impenetrable defense at shortstop, but there was also slang word "tomahawkin", and he seemingly pioneered the Tomahawk Buzzcut
.
Despite playing in 17 Major League seasons, Belliard only hit two home runs in the major leagues. Belliard played in 100 games or more only four baseball seasons in his career (in 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1992). However, among Braves fans, he was a valued middle infielder with a quick glove, a good arm, and above average bunting ability at the plate. He was also known for being the smallest player in Major League baseball during his career. Rafael Belliard was named the infield coach for the Detroit Tigers
on October 11, 2005. Prior to that, he served 5 seasons in the Atlanta Braves minor league system as a roving fielding instructor.
His cousin, Ronnie Belliard
, is also a major league baseball player.
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 former Major League Baseball shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
. He is currently the infield coach for 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...
.
Belliard first signed up as a pro player with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
organization in 1980. After the 1990 season
1990 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics ; José Rijo, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series co-MVPs: Rob Dibble and Randy Myers...
, Belliard was granted his free agency, and he signed up with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in 1991. That turned out to be that team's breakout National League Champion year. Belliard is best remembered in the minds of some Atlantans for his nearly impenetrable defense at shortstop, but there was also slang word "tomahawkin", and he seemingly pioneered the Tomahawk Buzzcut
Tomahawk Buzzcut
The "Tomahawk Buzzcut" is a shaving of the Atlanta Braves tomahawk logo and/or the word "Braves" into the hair of the back or side of a usually male head. It was an early 1990s fad of Atlanta Braves fans...
.
Despite playing in 17 Major League seasons, Belliard only hit two home runs in the major leagues. Belliard played in 100 games or more only four baseball seasons in his career (in 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1992). However, among Braves fans, he was a valued middle infielder with a quick glove, a good arm, and above average bunting ability at the plate. He was also known for being the smallest player in Major League baseball during his career. Rafael Belliard was named the infield coach for 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...
on October 11, 2005. Prior to that, he served 5 seasons in the Atlanta Braves minor league system as a roving fielding instructor.
His cousin, Ronnie Belliard
Ronnie Belliard
Ronald "Ronnie" Belliard is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman of Dominican descent.-Early life:Belliard attended Central High School in Miami, Florida...
, is also a major league baseball player.