Randy Velarde

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Randy Velarde

|image=1988 Columbus Clippers Police - Randy Velarde (cropped).webp

|caption=Velarde with the Columbus Clippers {{circa}} 1988

|position=Infielder

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1962|11|24}}

|birth_place=Midland, Texas, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=August 20

|debutyear=1987

|debutteam=New York Yankees

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=September 29

|finalyear=2002

|finalteam=Oakland Athletics

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Batting average

|stat1value=.276

|stat2label=Home runs

|stat2value=100

|stat3label=Runs batted in

|stat3value=445

|teams=

New York Yankees ({{mlby|1987}}–{{mlby|1995}})
California / Anaheim Angels ({{mlby|1996}}–{{mlby|1999}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|1999}}–{{mlby|2000}})
Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2001}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2001}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2002}})

}}

Randy Lee Velarde (born November 24, 1962) is an American former baseball infielder and utility player who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played the majority of his career for the New York Yankees, and also played for the California/Anaheim Angels, Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers from 1987 to 2002. Although he primarily played as a utility infielder, Velarde was utilized in the outfield as well.

Velarde played college baseball at the Church of Christ-affiliated Lubbock Christian University in Lubbock, Texas, from 1982 until 1985, when he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox. He was subsequently traded to the New York Yankees, where he spent the majority of his career. Velarde is best known for turning the eleventh unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history on May 29, 2000.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/04/weekinreview/may-28-june-3-record-outs.html?src=pm|title=May 28–June 3; Record Outs|last=Schwarz|first=Alan|date=June 4, 2000|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=September 8, 2012}}

Early life

Velarde was born in Midland, Texas, on November 24, 1962, and is of Mexican American descent.{{cite news |last=Donnelly |first=Joe |date=Aug 27, 1987 |title=Overseers Keep Tabs On Lou |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-overseers-keep-tabs-on-lou/159136562/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |newspaper=Newsday |page=186 |via=Newspapers.com |quote=Rookie shortstop Randy Velarde is of Mexican parentage Growing up in Texas.}} He attended college at Lubbock Christian University, where he played four seasons of baseball. However, he was not drafted by any Major League team until his senior year.

Professional career

=Draft and minor leagues=

Velarde was selected in the 19th round of the {{Baseball year|1985}} amateur draft by the Chicago White Sox. He joined the New York Yankees in 1987, when the White Sox traded him with Pete Filson in exchange for Scott Nielsen and Mike Soper.{{cite news|title=Yankees confirm trade of Nielsen|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lI9GAAAAIBAJ&pg=4141,378223&dq=yankees+confirm+trade+of+nielsen&hl=en|date=January 6, 1987|page=2B|accessdate=September 7, 2012|newspaper=The Evening News|location=Newburgh|agency=Associated Press}} Velarde made his debut in {{mlby|1987}}, but spent the next two seasons dividing his playing time between the Class AAA Columbus Clippers of the International League and the Yankees.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xEohYBGQfEgC&q=randy+velarde&pg=PA225|title=The Yankee Encyclopedia|publisher=Sports Publishing LLC|date=July 1, 2003|last1=Gallagher|first1=Mark|last2=LeConte|first2=Walter|pages=225|accessdate=September 7, 2012|isbn=9781582616834}}

=New York Yankees (1987–1995)=

Velarde became the Yankees utility player in {{mlby|1990}},{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/29/sports/baseball-the-velarde-shuffle-where-will-it-end.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|title=Baseball; The Velarde Shuffle: Where Will It End?|last=Martinez|first=Michael|date=March 29, 1991|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=September 7, 2012}} playing second base, shortstop, third base and left field.{{cite news|title=Velarde searching for a spot|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yqVIAAAAIBAJ&pg=6184,254612&dq=randy+velarde+position+i+just+work+for+them&hl=en|date=March 2, 1991|page=19|accessdate=September 9, 2012|newspaper=The Record-Journal|location=Meriden|agency=Associated Press}} Becoming the most shuffled player on the Yankee roster appeared to have a negative effect on Velarde's offense, as he batted .210 in 95 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/velarra01.shtml|title=Randy Velarde Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=September 8, 2012}} In spring training of {{mlby|1991}}, he competed with Mike Blowers and Jim Leyritz for the position of third base, where he started in the May 1 game against the Oakland Athletics that saw Rickey Henderson broke Lou Brock's all-time stolen base record.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/02/sports/baseball-safe-henderson-steals-no-939-and-brock-is-out.html|title=Baseball; Safe! Henderson Steals No. 939, and Brock Is Out|last=Martinez|first=Michael|date=May 2, 1991|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=September 7, 2012}} In {{mlby|1992}}, he established himself as the everyday shortstop for the organization.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/20/sports/baseball-velarde-still-works-to-shed-utility-tag.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|title=Baseball; Velarde Still Works To Shed Utility Tag|last=Frey|first=Jennifer|date=August 20, 1992|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=September 7, 2012}} However, he was always considered a utility player and subsequently reverted to the role, his versatility being cited as his main asset in contrast to his unreliable defense and lack of slugging prowess. Despite this, Velarde ended up batting .301 and .279 in {{mlby|1993}} and strike-shortened {{mlby|1994}} seasons, respectively.

In 1993, Velarde started games at shortstop, third base, left field and center field and in the following season, he became the second-longest tenured Yankee player behind team captain Don Mattingly.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/02/sports/baseball-who-s-on-third-velarde-who-s-in-left-velarde.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|title=Baseball; Who's on Third? Velarde. Who's in Left? Velarde.|last=Nobles|first=Charlie|date=April 2, 1994|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=September 7, 2012}} He became a free agent at the end of the season for the first time in his career and re-signed with the Yankees for a one-year, $350,000 contract plus incentives, even though he was given a higher offer by other teams.{{cite news |last=Harper |first=John |date=November 23, 1995 |title=Randy Leaves With Last Of Yank Class Of '95 |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/1995/11/23/randy-leaves-with-last-of-yank-class-of-95/ |accessdate=2024-11-16 |newspaper=New York Daily News}} Velarde's willingness to play in any position and his loyalty to the team prompted his manager, Buck Showalter, to call him "the epitome of a team player." In {{mlby|1995}}, his final season with the Yankees, Velarde spent most of his time playing second base and though his batting average during the regular season was .278, he batted a disappointing .176 during the postseason. He again became a free agent at the end of the season.

=Remainder of career (1996–2002)=

Though Velarde was keen to remain with the Yankees (the only team he had played for up to this point), they turned down his request for a three-year contract. He reluctantly departed and signed a three-year, $2.45 million contract with the California Angels. He played only one game in {{mlby|1997}}, as he was forced to miss the entire season due to injury. After more than three seasons with the Angels, Velarde was traded to the Oakland Athletics in the middle of the {{mlby|1999}} season. That year, he finished fourth in the American League in hits (200) and second in assists (493), while his season totals in batting average (.317), runs (105), hits, triples (7), home runs (16), runs batted in (76), stolen bases (24) and on-base percentage (.390) are all personal bests. He also became the sixth player in Major League history to amass 200 hits in a single season while playing for two different teams, and the first since Willie Montañez in {{mlby|1976}}.{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/al/recaps/1999/10/01/athletics_mariners/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130120032152/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/al/recaps/1999/10/01/athletics_mariners/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 20, 2013|title=MLB Scoreboard Recap – Oakland 5, Seattle 1|date=October 2, 1999|work=SI.com|publisher=CNN/Sports Illustrated|accessdate=September 8, 2012}}{{cite news |last=Garcia |first=Julian |date=October 12, 2001 |title=Velarde Hopes Return Has Ring To It |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2001/10/12/velarde-hopes-return-has-ring-to-it/ |accessdate=2024-11-16 |newspaper=New York Daily News}}

In his second season with the Athletics, Velarde turned an unassisted triple play against the Yankees, his former team, on May 29 in the bottom of the 6th inning. Velarde caught a line drive off of the bat of Shane Spencer, tagged Jorge Posada coming from first base, and touched second base to put out Tino Martinez.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats8.shtml|title=Unassisted Triple Plays|work=Baseball-Almanac.com|publisher=Baseball Almanac|accessdate=September 7, 2012}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA200005290.shtml|title=May 29, 2000 Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference|date=May 29, 2000|accessdate=September 8, 2012}} It was the eleventh time that such a play had been executed and Velarde became only the third second baseman to accomplish the feat{{cite web |title=Randy Velarde Stats |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=velarra01 |accessdate=September 7, 2012 |work=Baseball Almanac}} Velarde rejoined the Yankees in the middle of the {{mlby|2001}} season after a short stint with the Texas Rangers.{{cite news |last=Rubin |first=Adam |date=September 30, 2001 |title=Velarde Tries To Catch On In Outfield |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2001/09/30/velarde-tries-to-catch-on-in-outfield/ |accessdate=2024-11-16 |newspaper=New York Daily News}} He acknowledged that he had made a mistake when he departed the Yankees in 1995 in order to become an everyday player{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/02/sports/baseball-yankee-notebook-velarde-is-thrilled-with-second-chance.html?src=pm|title=Baseball: Yankee Notebook; Velarde Is Thrilled With Second Chance|last=Olney|first=Buster|date=September 2, 2001|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=September 8, 2012}} and vowed to "redeem the part of the career [he] missed."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/01/sports/baseball-velarde-returns-as-insurance.html?src=pm|title=Baseball; Velarde Returns As Insurance|last=Olney|first=Buster|date=September 1, 2001|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=September 8, 2012}} He ended up appearing in the 2001 World Series, where the Yankees lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks in seven games.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2001_WS.shtml|title=2001 World Series (4-3): Arizona Diamondbacks (92-70) over New York Yankees (95-65)|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=September 7, 2012}} Though he played the majority of his career with the Yankees, Velarde never won a World Series ring with the team. This was partially due to bad timing; the Yankees won the World Series the year after Velarde left and lost the World Series the season he returned, while winning four championships while he was away.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/|title=New York Yankees Team History & Encyclopedia|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=September 7, 2012}}

Velarde rejoined the Oakland Athletics for the {{mlby|2002}} season{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/01/11/Randy-Velarde-signs-with-Oakland/UPI-41881010799355/|title=Randy Velarde signs with Oakland|date=January 11, 2002|work=UPI.com|publisher=United Press International|accessdate=September 7, 2012}} before retiring.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-mar-31-la-me-0331-barry-bonds-20110331-story.html|title=4th player says Bonds' trainer supplied drugs|last=Dolan|first=Maura|date=March 31, 2011|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 8, 2012}}

=Career statistics=

In 1,273 games over 16 seasons, Velarde posted a .276 batting average (1171-for-4244) with 633 runs, 214 doubles, 23 triples, 100 home runs, 445 RBI, 78 stolen bases, 463 bases on balls, .352 on-base percentage and .408 slugging percentage. He finished his career with a .970 fielding percentage playing primarily at second and third base and shortstop. He also has played at first base and all three outfield positions. In 18 postseason games, he hit .235 (12-for-51) with 6 runs, 2 doubles, 5 RBI, and 9 walks.

=Use of performance-enhancing drugs=

Velarde was one of several players named in the Mitchell Report, which was released on December 13, 2007. Velarde said that he used the drugs while a member of the Oakland A's.{{Harvnb|Mitchell|2007|p=137}} Through his lawyer, he admitted that he had used "the cream" and "the clear," both of which were supplied to him by Greg Anderson.{{cite news|title=The Mitchell Report: Name by Name – Interactive Graphic|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/12/13/sports/20071213_MITCHELL_FEATURE.html?#37|date=July 5, 2011|accessdate=September 7, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times}} Velarde later testified in the Barry Bonds perjury case, stating that he purchased performance-enhancing drugs from and was injected with human growth hormone by Anderson, who was Bonds' personal trainer.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/sports/baseball/31bonds.html|title=Velarde Says He Received Drugs and Injections From Bonds's Trainer|last=Macur|first=Juliet|date=March 30, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=September 8, 2012}}

References

Footnotes

Bibliography

{{cite web|url=http://files.mlb.com/mitchrpt.pdf|title=Full Mitchell Report|work=MLB.com|publisher=Major League Baseball|first=George|last=Mitchell|date=December 13, 2007|accessdate=September 7, 2012}}