Carlos Delgado is a former professional baseball player who played for 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on June 25, 1972, in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Delgado was a first baseman and designated hitter who played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, and New York Mets.
Delgado began his professional baseball career in 1988 when he was signed by the Blue Jays as an amateur free agent. He made his MLB debut in 1993 and quickly established himself as one of the best power hitters in the league. Delgado played for the Blue Jays for 12 seasons and was a five-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and won the Hank Aaron Award in 2000.
In 2005, Delgado was traded to the Marlins, where he played for one season before being traded to the Mets. He played for the Mets for four seasons and was a two-time All-Star and won the Silver Slugger Award in 2008. Delgado retired from baseball in 2011.
Throughout his career, Delgado was known for his powerful swing and ability to hit for both average and power. He finished his career with 473 home runs, 1,512 RBIs, and a .280 batting average. Delgado was also known for his philanthropic work, particularly in his home country of Puerto Rico, where he established the Extra Bases Foundation to help underprivileged children.
Delgado's career was not without controversy, however. In 2004, he caused a stir when he refused to stand for "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch, citing his opposition to the war in Iraq. He was also accused of using performance-enhancing drugs in 2009, although he denied the allegations and was never formally charged.
Despite these controversies, Delgado is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation and a future Hall of Famer. He was a dominant force at the plate and a respected leader in the clubhouse, and his impact on the game of baseball will be felt for years to come.
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