Ivan Calderon was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues for nine seasons. He was born on March 19, 1962, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Calderon was a right-handed outfielder who played for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, and Anaheim Angels.
Calderon began his professional baseball career in 1983 when he was signed by the Seattle Mariners as an amateur free agent. He made his Major League debut with the Mariners in 1984 and played for them until 1986. During his time with the Mariners, Calderon was known for his strong arm and his ability to hit for power.
In 1987, Calderon was traded to the Chicago White Sox, where he played for four seasons. He had his best season in 1989 when he hit .293 with 27 home runs and 92 RBIs. He was named to the American League All-Star team that year and finished 11th in the MVP voting.
Calderon was traded to the Montreal Expos in 1991, where he played for one season. He then played for the Boston Red Sox in 1992 and the Anaheim Angels in 1993 before retiring from baseball.
Throughout his career, Calderon was known for his hitting ability and his strong arm in the outfield. He finished his career with a .272 batting average, 104 home runs, and 445 RBIs. He also had a career fielding percentage of .981.
Calderon's career was not without controversy, however. In 1990, he was involved in a brawl with the Texas Rangers that resulted in him being suspended for seven games. In 1992, he was arrested for possession of cocaine and was suspended for 60 games by Major League Baseball.
Despite these setbacks, Calderon was a talented player who was beloved by his teammates and fans. He was known for his infectious personality and his love of the game. After retiring from baseball, Calderon returned to Puerto Rico, where he worked as a baseball coach and mentor to young players.
In 2003, Calderon was tragically murdered in his hometown of Fajardo. He was 41 years old. His death was a shock to the baseball community, and he was mourned by fans and former teammates alike.
In conclusion, Ivan Calderon was a talented baseball player who had a successful career in the Major Leagues. He was known for his hitting ability, his strong arm, and his infectious personality. Despite some setbacks, he was beloved by his teammates and fans and will always be remembered as a talented player who left a lasting impact on the game of baseball.
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