Blue Bios: Juan Uribe

Juan C. Uribe Tena        5

Bats: Right    Throws: Right    Height: 5’11”    Weight: 230

Career Stats: 1,333 games, 1,169 Hits, 155 HRs, 627 RBI, .253 AVG

Blue Bios isn’t just about profiling Dodger greats, but rather it is a platform to take an in depth look into all Dodgers past, present, good, and even not so good. This offseason I have been wondering about what Juan Uribe has been up to, and I haven’t heard much. The only quip I’ve come across was on the Dodgers website and read “Colletti said he met in the Dominican with third baseman Juan Uribe. Colletti said Uribe knows he underperformed last year and understands the expectations for this year. Utility man Jerry Hairston might share time at the position.” I guess if you read between the lines, Uribe will have a short leash this season. If he doesn’t start producing, Jerry Hairston will be right there to take his place at third base. Uribe is expected to play third since the Dodgers signed second baseman Mark Ellis this offseason. Let’s take a look at Juan Uribe, after all he is only entering his second year of a three year contract with the Dodgers.

Juan Uribe was born on March 22, 1979 in Bani, Dominican Republic. Juan was signed in 1997 as an amateur free agent by the Colorado Rockies. He made his MLB debut on April 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 three years before being traded to the Chicago White Sox for future Dodger Aaron Miles. He played in Chicago 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 championship title in 88 years.

In 2006 there was a controversy regarding a shooting incident he was allegedly involved with in the Dominican 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 two 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 at bats. 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 also 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 enemy musings on McCovey Chronicles(yes a *gasp* Giants blog) after the Uribe deal was announced, 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!”

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 Dominican 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 2010 postseason.) “He has great enthusiasm for winning, defensive versatility and thunder in his bat.”"

Thunder? More like a very light drizzle.

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. I hope I can help take the team to the playoffs.”"

Last season Juan Uribe was nothing short of awful. He only played in 77 games, and only mustered 4 homeruns and 28 RBI. He barely hit at the Mendoza line with a .204 batting average. He whiffed 60 times and only had 17 walks. Is it just me or it seems like when he’s at the plate he’s swinging wildly at anything and everything? His defense was surprisingly good, and he only made 3 errors in the field. On July 30th Uribe landed on the DL, and later it was discovered he had a sports hernia that required surgery and brought an end to his disappointing season.

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.

I have no problem with him being a former Giant. My problem is of course his utter lack of any type of offense. I’m sure Giants fans are very amused at Uribe’s incompetence last season. Let’s hope he turns things around this season, otherwise he may just end up on a *cough* bum *cough* list.

Stay tuned for more Blue Bios🙂