Maicer Izturis was a Venezuelan professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He began his career in the minor leagues in 1998, playing for the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He made his MLB debut in 2004 with the Montreal Expos, and later played for the Los Angeles Angels and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Izturis was primarily a utility infielder, playing second base, shortstop, and third base throughout his career. He was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions, making him a valuable asset to his teams. He was also a solid defensive player, with a career fielding percentage of .975.
Offensively, Izturis was a consistent hitter, with a career batting average of .269. He was not known for his power, hitting only 21 home runs in his career, but he was a reliable contact hitter, with a career on-base percentage of .331.
One of Izturis's best seasons came in 2009, when he played for the Angels. He hit .300 with eight home runs and 65 RBIs, while playing in 114 games. He also had a career-high 30 doubles that season.
Injuries were a recurring issue for Izturis throughout his career. He missed significant time in 2010 and 2011 with various injuries, including a shoulder injury that required surgery. Despite these setbacks, he continued to play at a high level when healthy.
Izturis played his final MLB game in 2014, finishing his career with a .269 batting average, 21 home runs, and 334 RBIs. He was known as a hard-working and dedicated player, and was respected by his teammates and coaches.
After retiring from baseball, Izturis returned to his hometown of Barquisimeto, Venezuela, where he runs a baseball academy for young players. He also works as a scout for the Kansas City Royals organization.
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