Jorge Velandia is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues for several teams. He was born on January 12, 1975, in Caracas, Venezuela. Velandia began his professional career in 1992 when he signed with the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his Major League debut with the Athletics in 1997.
Over the course of his career, Velandia played for several teams, including the Athletics, the San Diego Padres, the New York Mets, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He primarily played as a shortstop, but also played second base and third base.
Velandia was known for his defensive skills, particularly his ability to make difficult plays and turn double plays. He was also a solid hitter, with a career batting average of .224 and 11 home runs. While he was never a star player, Velandia was a reliable utility infielder who could play multiple positions and provide solid defense.
One of the highlights of Velandia's career came in 2006, when he hit a walk-off home run for the Mets in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The home run came in the bottom of the 12th inning and gave the Mets a 5-4 victory.
Velandia retired from professional baseball in 2008, after spending the final years of his career playing in the minor leagues. After retiring as a player, he began working as a coach and instructor, helping to develop young players in his native Venezuela.
Overall, Jorge Velandia had a solid career as a Major League infielder. While he was never a star player, he was a reliable and versatile player who contributed to several teams over the course of his career. His defensive skills and ability to play multiple positions made him a valuable asset to any team he played for.
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