Willy Taveras
| Position | Center Field |
|---|---|
| Team | Houston Astros |
| Experience | 1 Year |
| Age | 24 |
| Height | 6' 0" (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 160 lb (72.6 kg) |
| Bats | Right |
| Throws | Right |
| College | None |
| 2005 Salary | $316,000 |
| Place of Birth | Teneras, Dominican Republic |
| Selection | Undrafted |
| Drafted by | Undrafted |
| Major League Debut | September 6, 2004 |
Willy Taveras (born December 25, 1981 in Teneras, Dominican Republic) is a center fielder for the Houston Astros. He bats and throws right-handed.
Willy "Mays Hayes" Taveras is an outfielder. With his fielding abilities, he is able to make plays that average fielders would not be able to make. Taveras played in ten games at the end of the 2004 Astros season, mostly as a pinch runner. People in Houston often refer to him as simply Willy T.
Taveras was the Astros' starting centerfielder during his rookie season, replacing All-Star Carlos Beltran who signed with the New York Mets in the off-season. After the season, Taveras was voted National League Rookie of the Year by the players (Ryan Howard of the Phillies won the actual Rookie of the Year Award). Second only to the Mets' José Reyes in National League speed, Taveras led the majors with 71 infield hits and was tops among rookies in runs (82), hits (172) and stolen bases (34), and hit .291.
He also is a fielder. In Game 4 of the 2005 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals, he made a catch while running up the hill in Minute Maid Park's deep centerfield to end the 8th inning and preserve a 2-1 lead. He scored the winning run as a pinch-runner the inning before on a short sacrifice fly to center field.
Career highlights
- 2005 Player's Choice Rookie of the Year.
- Named to 2006 Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic team.
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