subject: Alfonso Soriano Introduction [print this page] Alfonso Soriano Introduction Alfonso Soriano Introduction
As a professional MLB player in Chicago Cubs, he had been played baseball more than 15 years. Before attending the Cubs, he once played for New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals. In most of his career, he has battled as a lead-off hitter.
Soriano started his professional baseball career in Japan; he trained at the Carp Academy for Dominican players. Wear in the number 74 uniform, he joined in 9 games and get two walks.
Soriano do not like the frequently Japanese practice schedule. And the Carp do not agree to increase his salary that should increase. Some other former players had left Japan and go for USA MLB teams, so Soriano decided to do the same thing, so he hired Nomura to change the situation. Nomura miss the NPB contract with Soriano for the reason that he is not old enough. So Nomura suggested him to finish the Carp career and play for the MLB. Nomo is a successfully player who had tried that and pursue a career in MLB. This need to apply from Carp executives and send letters to MLB teams at first. But Carp stopped the negotiations Soriano will get from MLB teams. And for Nomo case happened, NPB officials independently amended the Working Agreement, with no consultation from MLB teams. This stopped Soriano attending the MLB first. MLB merely deemed Soriano as a free member in 1998.
From 1998, Soriano signed a free agent with the New York Yankees. Start in New York as a n infield player. He get the first hit in MLB game in the next year when he hit a game-winning home run against Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He made great progress in 2001 and be one of the best 3 Rookies.
In 2002, Soriano set a record for most at 696 bats and most 157 strikeouts in a season. And 2003 performance is better, he is the most top five for hits, doubles, home runs, stolen bases, and strikeouts.
In the 2004-2005 season, Soriano was traded to Texas Rangers for Yankees manager's consideration. After joining the Rangers, he did not this team disappointed, he once had six hits on May 8, 2004. In that right year, Soriano successfully be elected into the All-Star game and make his career more perfect.
And Soriano finally made a contract with Chicago Cubs for eight years, about $136 for salary. This is the most valuable contract in Cubs history which continues to 2014, 3 years later from this year. He first play center field with the Cub's manager's request, and gradually moved to left field. Gained his first home run in the Cub's first game in May. And his excellent performance continues in the Cubs. He is extremely productive in June, only in one game against Atlanta Braves, he hit 3 home runs. As the harvest, he gained the "National League's Player of the Month".
For he is not young any more, his performance in 2009 is poor. So he was put into 6th spot in Cubs, but he rebounded nicely. In the 2010 season, he attended 147 games, collected 40 doubles and 79 RBls. And right in 2010; he hit the 300th home run off Jake Peavy.
We all hope Soriano will do better in the new coming 2011 season in Cubs. And wish he will still be the super-star in Cubs.
