Robin Ventura
Robin Mark Ventura (born July 14, 1967 in Santa Maria, California) is a Major League Baseball third baseman and left-handed batter who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ventura was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 1988 amateur draft and made his debut the following year. After spent nine seasons with the Sox (1989-1998), he played for the New York Mets (1999-2001) and New York Yankees (2002-03) before joining the Dodgers late in the 2003 season.
A patient hitter with a smooth stroke, Ventura is capable of reaching the fences from left-center to the right-field line. For a lefthanded hitter, Ventura hangs in well against most southpaws, although he's been given more and more days off against them in recent seasons to help keep him fresh. Despite his low average in recent years, he contributed in his usual ways, with solid if unspectacular glovework, lefthanded power and plenty of walks. Ventura lost a step of range and some zip on his throws, but still is one of the better gloves at his position. Few are better at charging and bare-handing bunts.
In his 15-year career through 2003, Ventura has batted .267 with 289 home runs, 1154 runs batted in, 987 runs, 1848 hits, 335 doubles, 14 triples and 38 stolen bases in 1977 games played.
Highlights
- 2-time All-Star (1992, 2002)
- 6-time Gold Glove winner at third base (1991-93, 1996, 1998-99)
- Hit two grand slams in one game (September 4, 1995)
- Only player to hit one grand slam during each end of a double-header (May 20, 1999)
- Currently has 18 grand slams, placing him in a tie for 3rd on the all-time list
See also
