Ugueth Urbina was a Venezuelan professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 11 seasons. He began his career with the Montreal Expos in 1995 and played for several teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Urbina was known for his powerful fastball and his ability to throw a variety of pitches, including a slider and a changeup. He was also known for his fiery personality and his willingness to stand up for his teammates.
During his career, Urbina was a two-time All-Star and won a World Series championship with the Florida Marlins in 2003. He also led the American League in saves in 2002 while playing for the Rangers.
However, Urbina's career was marred by off-field incidents. In 2005, he was arrested in Venezuela for attempted murder after allegedly attacking five workers on his family's ranch with a machete. He was later convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Urbina's conviction was controversial, with some arguing that he was unfairly targeted by the Venezuelan government. However, others pointed to his history of violent behavior, including an incident in 1997 when he threw a ball at a fan during a game.
Despite his legal troubles, Urbina remains a popular figure among baseball fans, particularly in Venezuela. He has been involved in various charitable efforts, including building a baseball academy for young players in his home country.
Overall, Urbina's baseball career was marked by both success on the field and controversy off of it. While his legal troubles have overshadowed his accomplishments in recent years, he remains a memorable figure in the history of the sport.
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