Wilson Alvarez is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on March 24, 1970, in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and began his professional baseball career in 1986 when he signed with the Texas Rangers as an amateur free agent.
Alvarez made his Major League debut on July 24, 1989, at the age of 19. He played for the Rangers for three seasons before being traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1991. It was with the White Sox that Alvarez had his most successful years as a pitcher.
In 1994, Alvarez had a breakout season, finishing with a record of 15-8 and an ERA of 2.95. He was named to the American League All-Star team and finished fifth in the Cy Young Award voting. The following year, he threw a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles, becoming the first White Sox pitcher to do so since 1967.
Alvarez continued to pitch well for the White Sox over the next few years, but injuries began to take their toll. He missed most of the 1997 season with a shoulder injury and was traded to the San Francisco Giants in 1999. He played for the Giants for one season before being traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2000.
Alvarez had a solid season with the Devil Rays in 2000, finishing with a record of 8-9 and an ERA of 3.03. However, injuries once again derailed his career, and he was limited to just 11 starts in 2001. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003 and 2004 before retiring after the 2005 season.
Overall, Alvarez had a solid career as a Major League pitcher. He finished with a record of 102-92 and an ERA of 3.96. He struck out 1,348 batters in 1,749 innings pitched. He was known for his fastball, which could reach speeds of up to 97 miles per hour, as well as his slider and changeup.
Alvarez was also known for his durability, as he pitched over 200 innings in a season three times during his career. He was a two-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove Award in 1994 for his fielding prowess.
After retiring from baseball, Alvarez returned to his hometown of Maracaibo, Venezuela, where he has been involved in coaching and mentoring young baseball players. He has also worked as a broadcaster for ESPN Deportes and as a special assistant to the general manager for the White Sox.
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