Rafael Belliard
| Rafael Belliard | |
|---|---|
 Belliard, June 2011 |
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| Detroit Tigers – No. 17 | |
| Shortstop/Infield Coach | |
| Born: October 24, 1961 Pueblo Nuevo, Dominican Republic |
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| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| September 6, 1982 for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| April 9, 1998 for the Atlanta Braves | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .221 |
| Hits | 508 |
| Sacrifice hits | 58 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Rafael Leonidas Belliard Matias (born October 24, 1961, in Pueblo Nuevo, Dominican Republic) is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He is currently the infield coach for the Detroit Tigers.
Belliard first signed up as a pro player with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 1980. After the 1990 season, Belliard was granted his free agency, and he signed up with the Atlanta Braves in 1991. That turned out to be that team's breakout National League Champion year. Belliard is best remembered in the minds of some Atlantans for his nearly impenetrable defense at shortstop, but there was also slang word "tomahawkin", and he seemingly pioneered the Tomahawk Buzzcut.
Despite playing in 17 Major League seasons, Belliard only hit two home runs in the major leagues. Belliard played in 100 games or more only four baseball seasons in his career (in 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1992). However, among Braves fans, he was a valued middle infielder with a quick glove, a good arm, and above average bunting ability at the plate. He was also known for being the smallest player in Major League baseball during his career. Rafael Belliard was named the infield coach for the Detroit Tigers on October 11, 2005. Prior to that, he served 5 seasons in the Atlanta Braves minor league system as a roving fielding instructor.
His cousin, Ronnie Belliard, is also a major league baseball player.
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
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