Luis Polonia

Biography

Luis Polonia is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on October 12, 1964, in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Polonia began his professional baseball career in 1984 when he signed with the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent. He spent the next few years playing in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut in 1987.

Polonia was primarily an outfielder and designated hitter during his career. He was known for his speed and ability to steal bases, as well as his solid hitting and fielding skills. Polonia played for several teams during his career, including the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, California Angels, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles.

Polonia had some of his best seasons with the Angels, where he played from 1992 to 1995. In 1992, he hit .297 with 6 home runs and 51 RBIs, and stole 29 bases. The following year, he hit .307 with 5 home runs and 49 RBIs, and stole 29 bases again. In 1994, he hit .299 with 3 home runs and 30 RBIs, and stole 20 bases in just 89 games due to the strike-shortened season.

Polonia also had a successful stint with the Yankees, where he played from 1997 to 1998. In 1997, he hit .305 with 8 home runs and 49 RBIs, and stole 14 bases. The following year, he hit .296 with 4 home runs and 36 RBIs, and stole 11 bases.

Overall, Polonia played in 1,403 games over his career and had a batting average of .293. He hit 36 home runs, drove in 373 runs, and stole 247 bases. Polonia was a two-time American League stolen base leader, leading the league in 1990 and 1991. He also won a World Series championship with the Yankees in 1998.

Polonia's career was not without controversy, however. In 1992, he was arrested and charged with statutory rape for having sex with a 15-year-old girl. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and was sentenced to 60 days in jail. He was also suspended by MLB for the first 60 games of the 1993 season.

After retiring from baseball, Polonia returned to the Dominican Republic and became involved in coaching and player development. He also worked as a broadcaster for ESPN Deportes. In 2016, Polonia was arrested in the Dominican Republic on drug trafficking charges. He was accused of being part of a drug trafficking ring that smuggled cocaine into the United States. Polonia denied the charges but was later found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison.

Despite his legal troubles, Polonia remains a respected figure in the baseball world for his contributions to the sport during his playing career.

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Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees - Radio Broadcast

4 hours Aug 11, 1994Aug 11, 1994

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