Ugueth Urbina
Encyclopedia
Ugueth Urtaín Urbina Villarreal (uːˈɡɛt ʊərˈbiːnə) (born February 15, 1974 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a former relief pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. A two-time All-Star
, Urbina led the National League
in saves with 41 in the 1999 season and helped the Florida Marlins
win the 2003 World Series
. He is the only player in major league history with the initials "UU" or "UUU".
Urbina is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence in his native country after his conviction on two charges of attempted murder.
s, and a 3.45 ERA
. He played with the Montreal Expos
(1995–2001), Boston Red Sox
(2001–2002), Texas Rangers
(2003), Florida Marlins
(2003), Detroit Tigers
(2004–2005), and Philadelphia Phillies
(2005).
with the Montreal Expos
, where he pitched for six seasons and was an all star once, in 1998
.
As a 21 year old in 1995, he pitched in 7 games, starting 4, and went 2-2 with a 6.17 ERA. In 1996, Urbina established himself in Montreal's pitching staff, as he appeared in 33 games, starting 17. He went 10-5 with a 3.71 ERA. In 1997, his successful career as a closer began. he had 27 saves and a 3.71 ERA in 63 games. In 1998, Urbina appeared in 64 games, notching 34 saves and a 1.30 ERA. In 1999, he led the league in saves with 41 and had a 3.69 ERA in 71 games. In 2000, Urbina was injured and limited to 13 appearances. In 2001, Urbina started the season well before being traded to the Boston Red Sox
on July 31, notching 15 saves in 45 games.
on July 31, 2001, for Tomo Ohka
and Rich Rundles
. He appeared in 19 games, saving 9 and maintaining a 2.25 ERA for the rest of the season.
Urbina had his second all star game appearance in 2002
, when he saved 40 games in 61 appearances and a kept a 3.00 ERA.
after the 2002 season, and signed with the Texas Rangers
for one year on December 23, 2002.
Before being traded on July 11, Urbina had 26 saves and a 4.19 ERA in 39 games.
for Adrian Gonzalez
, Will Smith, and Ryan Snare
.
For the remainder of the season, Urbina was a set up man, going 3-0 with a 1.41 ERA and 6 saves in 33 games. His total statistics for the 2003 season were: 54 games, 32 saves, and a 2.81 ERA.
He finished his short stint with the team by helping them win the 2003 World Series
, defeating the New York Yankees
in six games. During the postseason (his only one while in the majors), he appeared in 10 games, going 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA and saved 4 games.
on March 29, 2004.
2004 marked Urbina's last season where he was closer for at least part of the season. In 54 games, he went 4-6 with a 4.50 ERA and 21 saves.
In 2005, he began the season in good form, maintaining a 2.63 ERA and notching 9 saves. However, he was traded for the third time in his career, this time to the Phillies.
for infielder
Plácido Polanco
.
In 56 games, Urbina went 4-6 a 4.13 ERA.
He played his final game on October 2, 2005, for the Phillies.
and a slider
that enabled him to hold left-handed
hitters in check. He also threw a changeup
which tailed away from right-handers and a splitter
that broke sharply. He batted and threw right-handed.
and also attempted to pour gasoline on them. On March 28, 2007, Urbina was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to fourteen years and seven months in prison.
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. A two-time All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, Urbina led the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in saves with 41 in the 1999 season and helped the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
win the 2003 World Series
2003 World Series
The 2003 World Series marked the 99th baseball World Series event. The Florida Marlins defeated the New York Yankees in six games, 4–2.-Background:...
. He is the only player in major league history with the initials "UU" or "UUU".
Urbina is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence in his native country after his conviction on two charges of attempted murder.
Playing career
In 11 major league seasons, Urbina compiled a 44-49 record with 237 saves, 814 strikeoutStrikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s, and a 3.45 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. He played with the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
(1995–2001), Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(2001–2002), Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(2003), Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
(2003), Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(2004–2005), and Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(2005).
Montreal Expos (1995-2001)
Urbina started his career as a dominant relieverRelief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
with the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
, where he pitched for six seasons and was an all star once, in 1998
1998 in baseball
-Headline events of the year:*Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey, Jr., and Greg Vaughn all hit 30 home runs before the All-Star break and engage in a historic chase for Roger Maris's single-season record of 61 home runs...
.
As a 21 year old in 1995, he pitched in 7 games, starting 4, and went 2-2 with a 6.17 ERA. In 1996, Urbina established himself in Montreal's pitching staff, as he appeared in 33 games, starting 17. He went 10-5 with a 3.71 ERA. In 1997, his successful career as a closer began. he had 27 saves and a 3.71 ERA in 63 games. In 1998, Urbina appeared in 64 games, notching 34 saves and a 1.30 ERA. In 1999, he led the league in saves with 41 and had a 3.69 ERA in 71 games. In 2000, Urbina was injured and limited to 13 appearances. In 2001, Urbina started the season well before being traded to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
on July 31, notching 15 saves in 45 games.
Boston Red Sox (2001-2002)
Urbina was traded to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
on July 31, 2001, for Tomo Ohka
Tomo Ohka
is a Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher who is currently playing for the Yokohama BayStars. Previously, Ohka played with the Boston Red Sox , Montreal Expos , Washington Nationals , Milwaukee Brewers , Toronto Blue Jays , and Cleveland Indians...
and Rich Rundles
Rich Rundles
Richard Lambert Rundles is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals organization. From to , Rundles played in minor league baseball with six different organizations....
. He appeared in 19 games, saving 9 and maintaining a 2.25 ERA for the rest of the season.
Urbina had his second all star game appearance in 2002
2002 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Anaheim Angels*Postseason - October 1 to October 27Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
, when he saved 40 games in 61 appearances and a kept a 3.00 ERA.
Texas Rangers (2003)
Urbina left Boston as a free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after the 2002 season, and signed with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for one year on December 23, 2002.
Before being traded on July 11, Urbina had 26 saves and a 4.19 ERA in 39 games.
Florida Marlins (2003)
He was traded on July 11, 2003, to the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
for Adrian Gonzalez
Adrián González
Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he...
, Will Smith, and Ryan Snare
Ryan Snare
Ryan Delbert Snare is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who appeared in 1 game in for the Texas Rangers...
.
For the remainder of the season, Urbina was a set up man, going 3-0 with a 1.41 ERA and 6 saves in 33 games. His total statistics for the 2003 season were: 54 games, 32 saves, and a 2.81 ERA.
He finished his short stint with the team by helping them win the 2003 World Series
2003 World Series
The 2003 World Series marked the 99th baseball World Series event. The Florida Marlins defeated the New York Yankees in six games, 4–2.-Background:...
, defeating the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in six games. During the postseason (his only one while in the majors), he appeared in 10 games, going 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA and saved 4 games.
Detroit Tigers (2004-2005)
Urbina signed a two-year contract with the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
on March 29, 2004.
2004 marked Urbina's last season where he was closer for at least part of the season. In 54 games, he went 4-6 with a 4.50 ERA and 21 saves.
In 2005, he began the season in good form, maintaining a 2.63 ERA and notching 9 saves. However, he was traded for the third time in his career, this time to the Phillies.
Philadelphia Phillies (2005)
On June 8, 2005, the Tigers traded Urbina with Ramon Martinez to the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
Plácido Polanco
Plácido Polanco
Plácido Enrique Polanco is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies and has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. He is a third baseman, but in the past has played second base and shortstop...
.
In 56 games, Urbina went 4-6 a 4.13 ERA.
He played his final game on October 2, 2005, for the Phillies.
Pitching attributes
Urbina's pitches included a moving fastballFastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
and a slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
that enabled him to hold left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
hitters in check. He also threw a changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
which tailed away from right-handers and a splitter
Split-finger fastball
A split-finger fastball or splitter is a pitch in baseball. It is named after the technique of putting the index and middle finger on different sides of the ball, or "splitting" them. When thrown hard, it appears to be a fastball to the batter, but suddenly "drops off the table" towards home...
that broke sharply. He batted and threw right-handed.
Mother's kidnapping
In September 2004, Urbina's 54 year old mother, Maura Villarreal, was kidnapped and held for a $6 million ransom in southwest Venezuela. Urbina's family refused to pay the ransom and an anti-kidnapping unit rescued her in a military-style operation on February 18, 2005. .Attempted murder conviction
On November 7, 2005, Urbina was arrested by Venezuelan authorities on a charge of attempted murder for an incident that occurred a few weeks previous, on October 16. Urbina attacked five farm workers on his property whom he had accused of stealing a gun. The pitcher tried to injure them both with a macheteMachete
The machete is a large cleaver-like cutting tool. The blade is typically long and usually under thick. In the English language, an equivalent term is matchet, though it is less commonly known...
and also attempted to pour gasoline on them. On March 28, 2007, Urbina was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to fourteen years and seven months in prison.