Blue Bios: Juan Uribe

Juan C. Uribe Tena  5

Bats: Right Throws: Right Height: 6'0"  Weight: 230 

Career Stats: 1256 games, 1114 Hits,151 HRs, 599 RBI, .256 AVG

Welcome to the newest installment of Blue Bios! Today we look at our new second baseman for 2011! 

Juan Uribe was born on March 22, 1979 in Bani, Domincan Republic. Juan was signed in 1997 as an amateur free agent by the Colorado Rockies. He made his MLB debut on 4/8/2001 for the Colorado Rockies playing in 72 games during his rookie season. He batted .300, had 8 home runs, and 53 RBI. He also had 11 triples, tying a club record. He tied three other franchise records, with two hits, two extra base hits, and six total bases in a single inning during an October 7th game against the San Diego Padres. In 2002, he played his first full season starting 150 games at shortstop. He had a career high 17 game hitting streak during April and May of that year. In 2003, he suffered an injury during Spring Training and his play time was limited. He played in Colorado for 3 years before being traded to the Chicago White Sox for Aaron Miles where he would play from 2004-2008.

Uribe played well from 2004-2006. He collected his first World Series ring in 2005 when the Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros in the Fall Classic. He made two memorable plays during the last two outs of the series. First he caught a ball while crashing into the third base stands, and then he made an off-balance throw on a slow grounder to beat Astro Orlando Palmeiro to give the White Sox their first title in 88 years.

In 2006 there was a controversy regarding a shooting incident he was allegedly involved in in the Domincan Republic. Two people were shot near his home. "I'm completely innocent," Uribe told ESPNdeportes.com. "They're trying to extort me because they know I play in the major leagues. They sent word to me that if I give them 1,000,000 pesos [about 33,000 U.S. dollars], all of this will go away."His name was cleared of any involvement in the case when he reached a settlement with the accuser, but it is unknown what actually occurred.

In 2009 he joined the San Francisco Giants after signing a minor league contract with them. He played with them for 2 seasons, winning his second World Series ring in 2010 when the Giants defeated the Texas Rangers. 

In 2010 Juan finished the season batting .256, with 24 HRs, and 85 RBI. He had 129 hits in 521 AB. In the 2010 National League Championship Series, Uribe played a key role in two victories, getting the walk-off sacrifice fly in Game 4 and hitting the go ahead home run in the top of the 8th to put the Giants up 3-2 in Game 6, which sent the Giants to the 2010 World Series. Uribe played a vital role for the Giants in the 2010 World Series, hitting a 3-run home run in the sixth inning of Game 1 and producing an RBI in the seventh inning of Game 2. 

He signed with the Dodgers for a 3 year $21 million contract about a month after winning the World Series with the Giants to the dismay of the San Francisco fans. 

Speaking of Giants Fans...after skimming through some ignorant musings on www.mccoveychronicles.com (yes a *gasp* Giants blog) I found these comments on the Uribe deal highly amusing:

"From beloved to hated within a matter of weeks

I wish him nothing but failures."

"I'll be so conflicted next year if he goes to the Dodgers

I mean, I love the guy. He was so clutch for us in the playoffs. Without him, no WS. But to see him wear the most despicable, lowly jersey ever? Pure evil."

"No Uribe, don’t do it! Don’t repeat Jeff Kent’s mistake!"

Then they go on to analyze how much money we are still paying on past players like Pierre, Dreifort, Manny, Jones, etc... Does it really matter? We still have more money than you! 

With the clear uselessness of Ryan Theriot, the Dodgers desperately needed a second baseman who could hit. Uribe said Manny Mota had been calling him everyday since the conclusion of the World Series and met with him in the Domincan Republic.

Ned Colletti commented on Uribe when he said, "As we witnessed, he can change a game with one swing of his bat," (Uribe drove in nine runs in the recent postseason.) "He has great enthusiasm for winning, defensive versatility and thunder in his bat."

Uribe, seemingly very happy to join the Dodgers organization said, "The Dodgers had a lot of interest in me to have me here and I'm very proud of that," said Uribe. "I hope I can help take the team to the playoffs."

Juan is married to wife, Anna, and has 3 children Juan Luis, Juanny, and Janny. His uncle is the former Giants shortstop Jose Uribe from the 1980's. 

So long Theriot, and welcome Juan Uribe! I have no problem with him being a former Giant. This not only allows us to bolster our lineup but now makes the Giants a weaker team. 

Stay tuned for more Blue Bios:)