Rafael Furcal: A new beginning with the St. Louis Cardinals
Rafael Antonio Furcal has remained a smart manoeuvrer. Once a regular feature of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the shortstop has invariably exhibited the talent he possesses, helping his team rise to the challenge. When he made his way into the Colorado Rockies,
never again did the player look back, and continued his journey to date. Interestingly, his arrival in the Dodgers was the result of the injury that took the former Dodgers’ shortstop, Walt Weiss away in 2000.
That was a promising start for the young player. In the same year, owing to his performance whereby he had an average of .295 with 40 stolen bases to his credit, he stunned baseball fans by becoming the National League Rookie of the Year. As time passed,
the player also became the 12th player in the history to have an unassisted triple play in 2003.
Within those three years, he also elevated himself to the status of an illuminating player in the National League All-Star team --- even though he was brought in as reserve. Since becoming the Los Angeles Dodgers’ part in 2005 with a $39 million deal for
three years, he remained associated with the team until recently when he was reported to have struck a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
When he was in the budding years of his career, he was also wanted by the Atlanta Braves, but Dodgers won the race. He said, “For me, it's like a regular game. I guess the Dodgers needed me more than the Braves needed me, and that's why I'm here. It's a
business. I'm happy to be here. I have a lot of friends there, but baseball is like that.”
The St. Louis Cardinals which had won the World Series this year signed a contract of $14 million with the player for two years. The 36-year-old player will no doubt have an excitingly tough season ahead.
One reason why the St. Louis Cardinals have shown their interest in the player was the performance he put this year. Having appeared in 87 games with 333 at-bats, he scored a total of 44 runs, having hit 77 hits and scoring 28 RBIs with 8 home runs that
he executed, maintaining an average of .231 throughout the season.
His career average stands at .282 which is fairly good for a shortstop that has played baseball for over a decade. In his 5965 at-bats, he has had 1685 hits with 108 home runs to his credit and 536 RBIs throughout his career.
Interestingly, the 34 year old player says he comes with much better feeling in the ballpark now. “It's hard because one time you come in feeling 100 percent then when you try to do something you can't do it like you used to do. But I'm feeling much better
than before. I'm coming to the ballpark feeling better each day.”
What remains a very easily identifiable feature of this player is the consistency he has demonstrated. A very patient player, his manoeuvring on both sides of the plate is meritorious.
“That's what happens when you feel good from both sides of the plate, I've tried to be patient and have concentration. And I'm healthy. I'm going to home plate to get on base no matter how.”
With the talent on his back, it is to be seen how he utilises it in 2012 when his new team, St. Louis Cardinals descend on the ballpark.
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