Ricky Gutierrez was a professional baseball player who played primarily as a shortstop in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on May 23, 1970, in Miami, Florida, and attended American High School in Hialeah, Florida.
Gutierrez began his professional baseball career in 1988 when he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the first round of the MLB draft. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres in 1993.
Over the course of his career, Gutierrez played for several teams, including the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Red Sox. He was known for his defensive skills as a shortstop, and he won a Gold Glove award in 2000 while playing for the Indians.
Gutierrez was also a solid hitter, with a career batting average of .266. He hit a total of 24 home runs and had 404 runs batted in (RBIs) over the course of his career.
One of Gutierrez's most memorable moments came during the 2003 season when he hit a game-winning home run in the 15th inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners while playing for the Red Sox. The home run helped the Red Sox win the game and sparked a late-season surge that helped them make the playoffs.
Gutierrez retired from baseball in 2004 after playing for the Chicago Cubs. He finished his career with a .966 fielding percentage, which is the 10th highest among shortstops in MLB history.
After retiring from baseball, Gutierrez worked as a coach and instructor. He served as a minor league coach for the Houston Astros and also worked as a hitting coach for the Miami Marlins.
Overall, Ricky Gutierrez had a successful career as a professional baseball player. He was known for his defensive skills as a shortstop and was a solid hitter as well. His memorable moments on the field, including his game-winning home run in 2003, will be remembered by fans for years to come.
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