Cristian Guzman was a professional baseball player who played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on March 21, 1978, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Guzman began his professional baseball career in 1995 when he signed with the Houston Astros as an international free agent. However, he did not make his MLB debut until 1999 when he was traded to the Minnesota Twins.
Guzman played for the Twins for eight seasons, from 1999 to 2005. During his time with the team, he established himself as a reliable shortstop and a consistent hitter. He was known for his speed on the basepaths and his ability to steal bases. In 2001, he had his best season with the Twins, hitting .308 with 8 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases. He was also named to the American League All-Star team that year.
In 2005, Guzman became a free agent and signed a four-year contract with the Washington Nationals. He played for the Nationals from 2005 to 2010, and during that time, he continued to be a solid player. He hit .319 in 2008, which was the highest batting average of his career. However, injuries began to take a toll on Guzman, and he was limited to just 61 games in 2010, which turned out to be his final season in the MLB.
Overall, Guzman had a successful career in the MLB. He played in 1,485 games, had 1,618 hits, 443 RBIs, and a career batting average of .271. He was also a two-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove award in 2007 for his defensive skills. After retiring from baseball, Guzman returned to his hometown in the Dominican Republic, where he has been involved in coaching and mentoring young baseball players.
In conclusion, Cristian Guzman was a talented shortstop who played in the MLB for over a decade. He was known for his speed, defensive skills, and consistent hitting. Although injuries cut his career short, he still managed to have a successful career and was recognized for his achievements with two All-Star selections and a Gold Glove award.
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