Omar Rafael Infante
n-FAHN-tay(born December 26, 1981) is a
Venezuela
Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...
n former
professional baseball
Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in baseball league, leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world.
Mod ...
second baseman. He played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
(MLB) for the
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
,
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
,
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park.
The franc ...
, and
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...
. He was an
All-Star in 2010, and won a
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, contested since 1903 between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winner of the World ...
in 2015. While primarily a
second baseman, he has experience at every position except for
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...
,
catcher
Catcher is a Baseball positions, position in baseball and softball. When a Batter (baseball), batter takes their at bat, turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home plate, home) Umpire (baseball), umpire, and recei ...
, and
first base
A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. The first baseman is responsible for the majori ...
.
Career
Detroit Tigers
Infante made his major league debut with the
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
on September 7, 2002. entered the 2003 season as the starting shortstop for the
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
.
Ramón Santiago
Ramón David Santiago Sanchez (born August 31, 1979) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball player, and minor league coach for the Detroit Tigers. Santiago played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an infielder for the Detroit Tig ...
, considered a better glove-man started the season at second base. Considered two of the Tigers better prospects, both proved overmatched; Infante hit .222 with no home runs and eight RBIs in over 200 at-bats.
In 2004, Infante lost any chance to claim the starting shortstop role when the Tigers acquired
Carlos Guillén
Carlos Alfonso Guillén (born September 30, 1975) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball infielder.
Guillén was signed by the Houston Astros as a non-draft amateur free agent in 1992. He was traded to the Seattle Mariners with pitcher F ...
, who went on to be an All-Star that year (Santiago had been included in the trade for Guillén). With Guillén at
shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball or softball fielding position between second and third base, which is considered to be among the most demanding defensive positions. Historically the position was assigned to defensive specialists who ...
and
free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under contract at present but who is a ...
acquisition
Fernando Viña
Fernando Viña (''VEEN-ya'') (born April 16, 1969) is a Cuban-American former Major League Baseball second baseman and former MLB analyst for ESPN. His parents Andres and Olga emigrated from Cuba in 1968. From through , Viña played for the Se ...
at second base, Infante was likely to spend much of the season in the
minors. Then he received an opportunity in mid-May to play every day at second base when Viña was sidelined for the year by a hamstring injury. He responded by playing solid defense and hitting .264 with 16 home runs and 55 RBIs in 142 games.
Infante's rebound in 2004 fueled speculation that he may one day become a star at second base. In 2005, however, he regressed, and the Tigers sought his replacement. In June of that year, the Tigers traded for
Plácido Polanco
Plácido Enrique Polanco (; born October 10, 1975) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers and Miami Marlins. He was a ...
, who had been filling a utility role with the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
. Polanco became the starting second baseman, and Infante moved to the bench.
Following his move to the bench, Infante played seven different positions during the 2007 season.
Chicago Cubs
On November 12, 2007 Infante was traded to the
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
for
Jacque Jones. On December 4, 2007 Infante was traded again, this time along with
Will Ohman
William McDaniel Ohman (born August 13, 1977) is a German–born American former professional baseball pitcher. He attended Ponderosa High school in Parker, Colorado. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, L ...
to the
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
for
José Ascanio
José Eleazar Ascanio (born May 2, 1985) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates. Ascanio Has Two Children Jord ...
. A Cub for less than a month during the off-season, Infante never appeared in a game.
Atlanta Braves
On January 12, 2009, Infante signed a two-year contract worth $4.3 million with the
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
.
National League manager Charlie Manuel selected Infante to the 2010 National League All-Star Team, earning Infante his first selection after proving to be one of the most valuable utility men in the National League. Infante was one of six Braves on the All-Star team.
Florida/Miami Marlins
After the 2010 season, Infante and reliever
Michael Dunn were traded to the Florida Marlins for second baseman
Dan Uggla
Daniel Cooley Uggla (born March 11, 1980) is an American former professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, and Washington Nationals. In 2010, Uggl ...
. On September 27, 2011, it was announced that Infante and the Marlins had agreed on a two-year extension, worth around $8 million.
In 2011, Infante lead the Majors in fielding assists.
On June 21, 2012, Infante played in his 1000th game against the
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
at
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
.
Return to Detroit
Infante and
Aníbal Sánchez
Aníbal Alejandro Sánchez Jr. (; born February 27, 1984) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2006 with the Florida Marlins and has also played for the Detroit Tiger ...
were traded by the Marlins to the Tigers, on July 23, 2012, for
Jacob Turner
Jacob Edward Turner (born May 21, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Washington Nationals. He also played in ...
,
Rob Brantly
Robert Jacob Brantly (born July 14, 1989) is an American professional baseball catcher who is currently a free agent. The Detroit Tigers drafted Brantly in the third round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his Major League Basebal ...
, and
Brian Flynn Brian Flynn may refer to:
* Brian Flynn (footballer) (born 1955), Welsh football manager
* Brian Flynn (baseball) (born 1990), American baseball player
* Brian Flynn (cricketer) (1929-1986), Australian cricketer
* Brian Flynn (ice hockey)
Brian ...
.
In Game 4 of the
2012 World Series
The 2012 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2012 season. The 108th edition of the World Series, the series was a best-of-seven playoff between the National League (NL) champion San Francisco Giants and th ...
on October 28, 2012, Infante suffered a broken left hand after being hit by a pitch.
Infante had a stellar
2013 season for the Tigers, despite spending over a month on the disabled list with a lower leg injury. He hit .318, his highest batting average since his career best .321 in 2010 with the Braves along with 10 home runs and 51 RBI. He also posted the highest slugging percentage of his career (.450).
Kansas City Royals
On December 16, 2013, Infante signed a four-year, $30.25 million contract with the
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...
, with a club option for 2018.
Infante recorded a career-high 66 RBIs in 2014. After struggling in the ALDS, in Game 2 of the
2014 World Series
The 2014 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2014 season. The 110th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the National League (NL) champion San Francisco Giants and the Ameri ...
, Infante hit a 2-run
home run
In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team. A home run i ...
against the
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yor ...
in the bottom of the 6th
inning
In baseball, softball, and similar games, an inning is the basic unit of play, consisting of two halves or frames, the "top" (first half) and the "bottom" (second half). In each half, one team bats until three outs are made, with the other team ...
in a 5-run inning to lift the
Royals past the
Giants
A giant is a being of human appearance, sometimes of prodigious size and strength, common in folklore.
Giant(s) or The Giant(s) may also refer to:
Mythology and religion
*Giants (Greek mythology)
*Jötunn, a Germanic term often translated as 'gi ...
in a 7–2 victory.
During the 2015 season, Infante took part in many defensive gems while teaming with Gold Glove shortstop
Alcides Escobar
Alcides Escobar () (born December 16, 1986), is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder who is currently a free agent. He previously played in MLB with the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals and Washington Nationals, and the Tokyo Ya ...
, and also experienced an offensive highlight by knocking in a career-high seven runs against the
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...
on September 18, 2015. But Infante lost his starting job for the latter part of the 2015 season after the Royals acquired
Ben Zobrist
Benjamin Thomas Zobrist (; born May 26, 1981), is an American former professional baseball second baseman and outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays, Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, and Chi ...
before the trade deadline. Infante won his first championship, but played only sparingly as the Royals won the ALDS, the ALCS, and the World Series in 2015.
After hitting just .238 in parts of three injury-riddled seasons with the Royals, Infante was
designated for assignment
Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must within seven days, return the pla ...
on June 15, 2016. He was currently second in the all-star ballot at the time of his release. He cleared waivers and became a free agent on June 23.
Return to Atlanta
On June 30, 2016, Infante agreed to a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. He was released by the Braves on August 16, 2016.
Third Stint with Detroit Tigers
On December 9, 2016, the Tigers signed Infante to a minor league contract, and he was invited to
spring training
Spring training is the preseason in Major League Baseball (MLB), a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for Schedule (workplace), roster and position spo ...
.
He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.
See also
*
List of Major League Baseball players from Venezuela
From 1939 to 2019, 397 Venezuelan baseball players born in Venezuela have played in Major League Baseball. This list shows players who appeared in at least one game in MLB, including number indicating order of arrival, name of player, position, ...
References
External links
Infante maturing rapidly(article)
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Infante, Omar
1981 births
Living people
Atlanta Braves players
Caribes de Anzoátegui players
Caribes de Oriente players
Detroit Tigers players
Erie SeaWolves players
Florida Marlins players
Gulf Coast Tigers players
Gwinnett Braves players
Jupiter Hammerheads players
Kansas City Royals players
Lakeland Tigers players
Major League Baseball players from Venezuela
Major League Baseball second basemen
Miami Marlins players
National League All-Stars
Omaha Storm Chasers players
People from Puerto la Cruz
Richmond Braves players
Rome Braves players
Toledo Mud Hens players
Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the United States
West Michigan Whitecaps players
World Baseball Classic players of Venezuela
2013 World Baseball Classic players