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Alfredo Despaigne

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Despaigne and the second or maternal family name is Rodríguez.
Alfredo Despaigne
Despaigne with the SoftBank Hawks in 2017
Alazanes de Granma – No. 54
Outfielder / Designated hitter
Born: (1986-06-17) June 17, 1986 (age 38)
Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
NPB debut
July, 29, 2014, for the Chiba Lotte Marines
NPB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.261
Home runs184
Runs batted in545
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Cuba
Summer Olympics
Silver medal – second place 2008 Beijing National team
Baseball World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2007 Taipei National team
Silver medal – second place 2009 Nettuno National team
Intercontinental Cup
Gold medal – first place 2010 Taichung National team
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Guadalajara National team
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Toronto National team
Central American and Caribbean Games
Gold medal – first place 2014 Veracruz Team

Alfredo Despaigne Rodríguez (born June 17, 1986) is a Cuban professional baseball outfielder for the Alazanes de Granma of the Cuban National Series. He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chiba Lotte Marines and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

Career

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In 2009, Despaigne had one of the most dominating seasons in Cuban baseball history, breaking the Cuban Home Run record while hitting .373 with 97 RBIs.[citation needed] Following the season, he was named MVP of the National Series. Despaigne was again excellent in 2010,[1] ranking among the best hitters in various statistical categories.[2] In 2012, he set a new Cuban league regular-season home run record, with 35.[3]

Piratas de Campeche

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On June 21, 2013, Despaigne signed with the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League. In 33 games, he slashed .338/.364/.564 with 8 home runs and 24 RBI. In 2014, Despaigne played in 20 games for Campeche, batting .346/.407/.603 with 5 home runs and 15 RBI.[4]

Chiba Lotte Marines

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On July 15, 2014, he signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[5] Despaigne appeared in 45 games, hitting .311, with 12 home runs and 33 runs batted in. After the season, on December 8, the Marines signed him[6] to a two-year contract.[7][8] In the 2015 season, Despaigne finished the regular season in 103 games with a batting average of .258, 18 home runs and a RBI of 62. In the 2016 season, Despaigne finished the regular season in 134 games with a batting average of .280, 24 home runs and a RBI of 92. On December 20, 2016, it was announced that team did not make a contract offer[9] and next day he became free agent in NPB.[10] In 2017, Despaigne played a key role[clarification needed] in Granma's win of the Cuban National Series.[11]

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

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On February 11, 2017, Despaigne signed with Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the NPB.[12] In 2017 season, Despaigne finished the regular season in 136 games with a batting average of .262, 35 home runs and a RBI of 103. And he was honored for the Pacific League home run leader, the Pacific League RBI leader, and the Pacific League Best Nine Award at the NPB AWARDS 2017. [13]

In the 2018 season, Despaigne finished the regular season in 116 games with a batting average of .238, 29 home runs and a RBI of 74. And he was selected 2018 NPB All-Star game [jp].[14]

In 2019, Despaigne finished the regular season in 130 games with a batting average of .259, 36 home runs and a RBI of 88. And he was honored for the Japan Series Outstanding Player Award at the 2019 Japan Series. [15] On December 2, 2019, he become free agent.[16]

On January 22, 2020, Despaigne signed a new two-year contract with Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.[17] However, due to the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was unable to leave Cuba and was able to come to Japan on July 19.[18] In the 2020 season, Despaigne finished the regular season in 25 games with a batting average of .224, 6 home runs and a RBI of 12.　In the 2020 Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants, he contributed to the team's fourth consecutive Japan Series champion by scoring 6 RBIs per game in the Japan Series equal to the current record, including a grand slam in Game 2 on November 22.[19]

In 2021 season, Despaigne had a slump of .220 batting average, one home run, and six runs batted in in 27 games since the season opener, and was struck from the first team registration on May 3.[20] Then, on May 24, he left for the U.S. to join the Cuba national baseball team for the Tokyo Olympics qualifiers.[21] He returned to Japan on June 9, spent the prescribed quarantine period, and joined the team on August 1.[22][23] In the match against the Chiba Lotte Marines on August 21, he recorded his first home run since the opening game.[24] He returned to form in the second half of the season, and by September 30 his batting average was back up to .271.[25] He finished the regular season with a .264 batting average, 10 home runs, and 41 RBI in 80 games, and re-signed with the Hawks at an estimated salary of 270 million yen.[26]

In 2022 season, Despaigne did not make it to the opening game of the season after hurting his right ankle in the Cuban League.[27] He finally joined the team on May 17.[28] On June 3, he recorded his first home run of the season in the interleague play against the Chunichi Dragons.[29] However, he tested positive for COVID-19 and was again removed from the first team registration by regulation on June 28.[30] He returned to the team on July 13 and hit a two-run homer the next day, July 14, against the Orix Buffaloes.[31][32] He finished the regular season with a .269 batting average, 14 home runs, and 40 runs batted in in 89 games, despite his frequent departures.[33] He became a free agent following the 2022 season.

On May 31, 2023, Despaigne re-signed with the Hawks.[34] However, he joined the team in July but was limited to only 20 appearances. On December 1, the Hawks announced they would release him.[35]

Alazanes de Granma

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Despaigne played the 2024 Cuban National Series for the Alazanes de Granma.[36]

International career

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Despaigne posted an impressive season in 2007, afterwards earning a key role on Cuba's National Team.[citation needed] He was selected the 2004 World Junior Baseball Championship [jp], 2007 World Port Tournament, 2007 Baseball World Cup, 2008 Summer Olympics, 2009 World Baseball Classic, 2010 World University Baseball Championship,[37] 2010 Intercontinental Cup, 2011 Pan American Games, 2012 exhibition games against Chinese Taipei and CPBL All-Stars,[38] 2012 exhibition games against Japan,[39] 2013 World Baseball Classic, 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games, 2015 Pan American Games,[40] 2015 WBSC Premier12[41] and 2017 World Baseball Classic.[42]

He was named the Best Hitter at the 2007 World Port Tournament, and was also a part of the Cuban team which won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.[citation needed]

Despaigne won with his national team the gold medal of the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico.[43][44][45]

References

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  1. ^ "Continued Slugging Rampage of Alfredo Despaigne". November 23, 2009.
  2. ^ "Hitting Leaders". Archived from the original on 2010-01-07. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
  3. ^ "Top Cuban OF in Mexico with false passport". ESPN.com. May 13, 2014.
  4. ^ "Alfredo Despaigne Cuban, Mexican, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History".
  5. ^ "アルフレド・デスパイネ・ロドリゲス選手の獲得について". 千葉ロッテマリーンズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). July 15, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  6. ^ "来季契約について". 千葉ロッテマリーンズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). December 8, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  7. ^ "Cuban outfielder Despaigne re-signs with Chiba Lotte". ESPN.com. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  8. ^ "2014年9月23日 ヒーローインタビュー(石川、デスパイネ)". 23 September 2014 – via www.youtube.com.
  9. ^ "デスパイネ選手の退団について". 千葉ロッテマリーンズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). December 20, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). December 21, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  11. ^ "2017 Cuban Finals: Despaigne with the Game Winner for Granma. Horses lead the series 1-0 | BaseballdeCuba". Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
  12. ^ "アルフレド・デスパイネ選手入団のお知らせ". 福岡ソフトバンクホークス オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). February 11, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  13. ^ "Nippon Professional Baseball (Japanese) 2017年度 表彰選手(パシフィック・リーグ)". NPB.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  14. ^ "マイナビオールスターゲーム2018 選手間投票結果". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). July 3, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  15. ^ "Nippon Professional Baseball (Japanese) SMBC日本シリーズ2019 表彰選手". NPB.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  16. ^ "2019年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  17. ^ "Nikkan Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトバンクがデスパイネとグラシアルと契約更新". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). January 23, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  18. ^ "full-count.jp Baseball news (Japanese) 鷹、デスパイネとグラシアルの来日を発表 出入国時のPCR検査は共に陰性". full-count.jp (in Japanese). July 20, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  19. ^ "Sankei Sports baseball news (Japanese) ソフトB・デスパイネがシリーズタイ記録 満塁弾など1試合6打点". Sankei Sports (in Japanese). November 22, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  20. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news 不振のデスパイネ抹消 上林が今季初の1軍昇格". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). May 3, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  21. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news モイネロ、デスパイネら離日 キューバ代表で五輪予選出場". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). May 24, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  22. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news 鷹・モイネロ＆デスパイネ再来日、球団発表 待機期間経てチーム合流". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). June 9, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  23. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news デスパイネが1軍合流 このままでは終われない". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). August 1, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  24. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news デスパイネが約5カ月ぶり開幕カード以来の先制2号ソロ 「うれしイイネ」". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). August 21, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  25. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news デスパイネ「いい感じ」打率1割台が急上昇". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). September 30, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  26. ^ "Nikkansports Sports baseball news ソフトバンク契約延長 モイネロ3億、グラシアル、デスパイネ2億7千万円". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). January 27, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  27. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news デスパイネ、6日にも2軍戦で実戦復帰へ 右足首痛めてリハビリ中". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). April 5, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  28. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news ソフトバンク、デスパイネを今季初めて出場選手登録". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). May 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  29. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news デスパイネ「やっぱりうれしいね」今季初本塁打＆初打点に笑顔". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). June 3, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  30. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news 甲斐拓也、デスパイネら5人が新たに陽性判定 感染者は計14人に コロナ禍のソフトバンクにまた衝撃". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). June 28, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  31. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news ソフトバンク5番デスパイネ6番野村大樹 オリックス戦スタメン発表". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). July 13, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  32. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news まさに「喜びもつかの間」デスパ弾直後の8回に悪夢". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). July 14, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  33. ^ "Nishinippon Sports baseball news 去就が流動的なソフトバンク・デスパイネ「来季はこの先ゆっくり考えたい」グラシアルとともに今季振り返る". Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). October 19, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  34. ^ "Yahoo Japan". Archived from the original on 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  35. ^ "Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks press release 2023/12/01 (金) 来季契約について". Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Official site (in Japanese). December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  36. ^ Oliva Ferrales, Mailenys (29 June 2024). "Despaigne habla de la postemporada, en su regreso a los play off". Granma (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  37. ^ "参加チーム キューバ 登録メンバー". パナソニック第5回世界大学野球選手権大会 - 全日本大学野球連盟 (in Japanese). Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  38. ^ "Cuban Offensive Explosion wraps up Thunder Series Action". WBSC. November 14, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  39. ^ "侍ジャパンマッチ2012「日本代表 VS キューバ代表」キューバ代表メンバー". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). November 15, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  40. ^ "ロッテ・デスパイネ、パンアメリカン大会出場で離日". 日刊スポーツ (in Japanese). 2015-07-08. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  41. ^ "World No. 3 Cuba aiming for WBSC Premier12 crown". WBSC. October 26, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  42. ^ Daniel Kramer (February 8, 2017). "Cuba's Classic roster replete with young talent". MLB.com. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  43. ^ "Hockey de RD da salto cualitativo". El Nacional (in Spanish). 2014-11-24. Retrieved 2014-11-28.
  44. ^ "Veracruz 2014: Cuba, campeón del béisbol centroamericano". Cubasi.cu (in Spanish). 2014-11-22. Retrieved 2014-11-28.
  45. ^ "Cuba gana medalla de oro en béisbol". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). Veracruz, Mexico. EFE. 2014-11-22. Retrieved 2014-11-28.
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