Alberto Callaspo

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Alberto Callaspo

| image = 20130823-0199 Alberto Callaspo.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Callaspo with the Oakland Athletics

| team =

| number =

| position = Third baseman / Second baseman

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|4|19}}

| birth_place = Maracay, Venezuela

| bats = Switch

| throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = August 6

| debutyear = 2006

| debutteam = Arizona Diamondbacks

|finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = August 19

| finalyear = 2015

| finalteam = Los Angeles Dodgers

|statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .265

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 52

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 369

| teams =

Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2006}}–{{mlby|2007}})
Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2010}})
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ({{mlby|2010}}–{{mlby|2013}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2014}})
Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2015}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2015}})

}}

Alberto José Callaspo Brito ({{IPAc-en|k|aɪ|ˈ|æ|s|p|oʊ}}, {{IPA|es|alˈβeɾto xoˈse kaˈʎaspo|lang}}; born April 19, 1983) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. Callaspo has primarily played third base and second base during his career.

Career

=Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels=

Callaspo was originally signed by the then-Anaheim Angels in 2001, playing for the Aguilas Cibaeñas of Dominican Summer League. In 2002, Callaspo batted .338 with 16 doubles, 10 triples, three home runs and 60 RBI in 70 games with the rookie-level Provo Angels, where he was voted by Baseball America as a Pioneer League All-Star and was named to Pioneer League All-Star team.

File:Alberto Callaspo on July 27, 2009.jpg]]

In 2003, Callaspo led the Midwest League with a .327 average and 38 doubles with the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Callaspo spent 2004 with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers, where he was selected for the Texas League All-Star game. Callaspo split 2005 with the Travelers and Triple-A Salt Lake Stingers. He again made the Texas League All-Star Game and was named to the Texas League Post-Season All-Star Team.

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On March 1, 2006, the Angels traded Callaspo to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for pitcher Jason Bulger.{{cite news|last1=Scarr|first1=Mike|title=Notes: Bulger in bullpen mix|url=http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/1330291/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402153026/http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/1330291/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2015|accessdate=March 17, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=March 1, 2006}}{{cite news|last1=Magruder|first1=Jack|title=Bulger traded to Angels for infielder|url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/sports/cactus_league/article_0bd51353-f63d-5c5d-9513-d1add38a212c.html|accessdate=March 17, 2015|work=East Valley Tribune|date=March 1, 2006}} He began 2006 with the Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders. He was named the Diamondbacks' Minor League Player of the Year. Callaspo was called up to the Diamondbacks. He also split the 2007 season between Arizona and Tucson.

=Kansas City Royals=

On December 14, 2007, the Diamondbacks traded Callaspo to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for pitcher Billy Buckner.{{cite news|title=Royals acquire infielder Alberto Callaspo from Arizona in exchange for pitcher Billy Buckner|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/2326372/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071300/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/2326372/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2016|accessdate=January 15, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=December 14, 2007}} He split the 2008 season between the big-league club and Triple-A Omaha Royals.

In 2009, Callaspo tied for the major league lead in errors by a second baseman, with 17, and had the lowest fielding percentage of any starting second baseman (.973).{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/fielding/_/position/2b/sort/errors/order/false|title=2014 Regular Season MLB Baseball 2B Fielding Statistics - Major League Baseball - ESPN|work=ESPN.com|access-date=December 16, 2014}}

=Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim=

On July 22, 2010, Callaspo was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for pitchers Sean O'Sullivan and Will Smith.{{cite news|last1=Eddy|first1=Matt|title=Angels Deal Two Young Pitchers For Callaspo|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/trade-central/2010/2610389.html|accessdate=March 17, 2015|publisher=Baseball America|date=July 22, 2010}}{{cite news|last1=Bolch|first1=Ben|title=Angels try to hit switch with Callaspo|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/23/sports/la-sp-0723-angels-sidebar-20100723|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726175033/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/23/sports/la-sp-0723-angels-sidebar-20100723|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 26, 2010|accessdate=March 17, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 23, 2010}}

File:Alberto Callaspo on July 22, 2011.jpg]]

On January 16, 2012, Callaspo signed a one-year deal with the Angels worth $3.15 million, thus avoiding arbitration.{{cite web |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/46013601 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711200656/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/46013601 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 11, 2012 |title=Angels avoid arb. with Alberto Callaspo |work=NBCSports.com |date=January 16, 2012 }} On February 5, 2013, the Angels finalized a two-year deal with Callaspo worth $8.975 million.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130205&content_id=41422784&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|title=Angels finalize two-year deal with Callaspo|last=Gonzalez|first=Alden|work=MLB.com|date=February 5, 2013|accessdate=February 5, 2013}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On July 30, 2013, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Grant Green{{cite news|last1=DiGiovanna|first1=Mike|title=Angels send Alberto Callaspo to Athletics for Grant Green|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jul/30/news/la-angels-trade-3b-alberto-callaspo-to-athletics-for-inf-grant-green-20130730|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723152603/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jul/30/news/la-angels-trade-3b-alberto-callaspo-to-athletics-for-inf-grant-green-20130730|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 23, 2014|accessdate=March 17, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 30, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/55330756/as-acquire-angels-inf-alberto-callaspo-in-exchange-for-inf-grant-green|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118163146/http://m.athletics.mlb.com/news/article/55330756/as-acquire-angels-inf-alberto-callaspo-in-exchange-for-inf-grant-green|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2015|title=A's acquire Angels INF Alberto Callaspo in exchange for INF Grant Green|date=July 30, 2013|accessdate=July 30, 2013|work=Oakland A's}}

=Atlanta Braves=

On December 9, 2014, Callaspo agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with the Atlanta Braves.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12007971/atlanta-braves-agree-infielder-alberto-callaspo-1-year-deal?ex_cid=espnapi_public|title=Atlanta Braves agree with infielder Alberto Callaspo on 1-year deal - ESPN|work=ESPN.com|date=December 10, 2014|access-date=December 16, 2014}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On May 27, 2015, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers (with Ian Thomas, Eric Stults and Juan Jaime) in exchange for Juan Uribe and Chris Withrow.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2015/05/27/the-six-player-juan-uribe-trade-is-official/|title=The six-player Juan Uribe trade is official.|work=LA Daily News|first=J.P.|last=Hoornstra|date=May 27, 2015|accessdate=May 27, 2015}} In 59 games for the Dodgers, he hit .262. The Dodgers designated him for assignment on August 19{{cite web|url=http://dodgers.mlblogs.com/2015/08/19/alberto-callaspo-designated-for-assignment/|title=Alberto Callaspo designated for assignment|work=dodgers.com|first=Jon|last=Weisman|date=August 19, 2015|accessdate=August 19, 2015}} and he was released on August 27.{{cite web|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/27/alberto-callaspo-released-by-the-dodgers/|title=Alberto Callaspo released by the Dodgers|first=Aaron|last=Gleeman|work=NBC Sports|date=August 27, 2015|accessdate=August 27, 2015}}

=Bridgeport Bluefish=

On March 28, 2017, Callaspo signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 34 games he hit .344/.417/.516 with 4 home runs and 15 RBIs.

=Vaqueros Unión Laguna=

On May 30, 2017, Callaspo signed with the Vaqueros Unión Laguna of the Mexican Baseball League. In 58 games he hit .301/.365/.379 with 3 home runs, 33 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

=Leones de Yucatán=

On March 1, 2018, Callaspo was traded to the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican Baseball League in exchange for former MLB player Yuniesky Betancourt. In 31 games he hit .290/.362/.333 with 0 home runs, 12 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

=Algodoneros de Unión Laguna=

On May 1, 2018, Callaspo was traded to the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on June 4, 2018. In 23 games he hit .258/.330/.366 with 1 home run and 13 RBIs.

=West Virginia Power/Charleston Dirty Birds=

On December 7, 2020, Callaspo signed with the Welland Jackfish of the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL).{{Cite web|url=https://www.wellandjackfish.com/news/jackfish-sign-mlb-veteran-alberto-callaspo|title = Jackfish sign MLB veteran Alberto Callaspo| date=December 7, 2020 }} Before the start of the season, on May 28, 2021, Callaspo signed with the West Virginia Power of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/|title = Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions}} Callaspo slashed .335/.469/.461 with 6 home runs and 57 RBI in 99 games for the Power. He became a free agent following the season. On March 4, 2022, Callaspo re-signed with the team, now named the Charleston Dirty Birds.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/west-virginia-power/news/alberto-callaspo-headlines-next-wave-of-dirty-birds-added-to-the-2022-roster|title=ALBERTO CALLASPO HEADLINES NEXT WAVE OF DIRTY BIRDS ADDED TO THE 2022 ROSTER|work=Charleston Dirty Birds|access-date=March 5, 2022}} He was released by the team on May 19, 2022 after 3 games going 5-8 (.625) with 1 home run and 5 RBIs.

Personal life

Callaspo was arrested at his home on May 10, 2007, by Phoenix police for domestic violence, but the charges against him were later dropped. He was placed on the restricted list without pay the day after the arrest,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2867088|title=Callaspo placed on restricted list without pay - MLB - ESPN|work=ESPN.com|date=May 11, 2007|access-date=December 16, 2014}} but the Major League Baseball Players Association filed a grievance on his behalf{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2874048|title=Grievances filed by union over Mateo, Callaspo suspensions - MLB - ESPN|work=ESPN.com|date=May 17, 2007|access-date=December 16, 2014}} and he was reinstated within a week.{{cite news|title=Callaspo reinstated, joins teammates in Pittsburgh|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2876153|access-date=March 16, 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=May 19, 2007}}{{cite news|last1=Gibert|first1=Steve|title=Callaspo reinstated from restricted list|url=http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/1974384/|accessdate=March 16, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=May 19, 2007}}

In 2011, Mariangely Santana Pérez sued Callaspo, claiming he was the father of her son.{{cite news|title=Angels player disputes paternity of 4-year-old|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/callaspo-319783-court-ian.html|accessdate=March 16, 2015|work=Orange County Register|date=September 30, 2011|first1=Brian|last1=Martinez}} The Orange County Superior Court later determined that Callaspo was not the biological father.{{cite news|first1=Brian|last1=Martinez|title=Court: Angels player not the father in child support case|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/callaspo-327466-perez-child.html|accessdate=March 16, 2015|publisher=November 17, 2011|date=November 17, 2011}}