Rafael Furcal

Rafael Antoni Furcal, nicknamed "Fookie", is a professional baseball player currently signed as shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born in Loma de Cabrera, Dominican Republic on October 24, 1977.

Furcal was signed by the Atlanta Braves on November 9, 1996 as an undrafted free agent. He began his professional career playing for the Gulf Coast Braves as a second baseman in 1997, then with the Danville Braves the following season. Upon joining the Macon Braves in his third year in 1999, he switched to short stop.

He transferred to yet another farm team of Atlanta, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and began to show his skills; he was named to Baseball America's first team All-Star team and the South Atlantic League All-Star team. Additionally, he was the South Atlantic League Most Outstanding Prospect, a Class-A All-Star, and the Braves Minor League Player of the Year.

In 2000, Furcal was promoted to the Major League when Atlanta Braves shortstop Walt Weiss got injured. He made his Major League debut on April 4, 2000, against the Colorado Rockies, hitting twice in 4 at-bats. That year, Furcal hit .295 and recorded 40 stolen bases. He was awarded the National League Rookie of the Year.

Due to the combination of his speed and skill to get on base, Furcal often is designated the leadoff hitter. He is also recognized as one of the top basestealers in Major League Baseball (MLB). He is skilled in bunting, and once bunted the ball past Robin Ventura, who was exceptional in fielding bunts, for a double in 2001.

In defence, Furcal possesses a strong throwing arm and is recognized for impressive defensive plays on critical moments - although mixed with intermittent poor judgement on easy plays.

Furcal attended Jose Cabrera High School and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Braves on November 9, 1996.

He began his professional career as a second baseman with the Gulf Coast Braves in 1997. The following season, with the Danville Braves he hit .328 and stole a league record 60 bases in only 66 games. He was named Danville's Player of the Year and Appalachian League All-Star Second Baseman.

In 1999, he switched to short stop and joined the Macon Braves in "A" ball and hit .337 with 73 stolen bases in 83 games. He was transferred to the advanced "A" team in Myrtle Beach and hit .293 for them with 23 steals in 43 games. He led all of minor league baseball with 96 steals total. He was named to Baseball America's first team All-Star team and the South Atlantic League All-Star team. In addition, he was the Braves Minor League Player of the Year, the South Atlantic League Most Outstanding Prospect and a Class A All-Star.

Major League Career

Atlanta Braves

An injury to Braves shortstop Walt Weiss prior to the 2000 season led to Furcal improbably making the jump from "A" ball to the Major League roster. He made his Major League debut on April 4, 2000 against the Colorado Rockies, getting 2 hits in 4 at-bats. His first hit was against Rockies pitcher Rolando Arrojo.

Furcal went on to hit .295 with 40 stolen bases for the Braves and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award that year.

He missed most of the 2001 season because of a dislocated left shoulder, suffered while stealing second base in a July 6 game at Boston.

Returned to the starting lineup in 2002 and tied a modern Major League record with three triples in a game on April 21 against Florida.

Furcal completed an unassisted triple play for the Braves against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 10, 2003. It was the 12th in baseball history. In the fifth inning, the shortstop caught pitcher Woody Williams' liner with the runners moving in a hit and run attempt, stepped on second base to retire catcher Mike Matheny and tagged Orlando Palmeiro before he could return to first. Still, at the end of the year he led all Major League shortstops with 31 errors, and had the lowest fielding percentage among them (.959).

Selected to the National League All-Star Team as a reserve in 2003.

On the Braves, Furcal was a valued leadoff hitter due to his speed and ability to get on base. Furcal is regarded as one of the best basestealers in baseball. He is an accomplished bunter, once bunting the ball past Robin Ventura for a double in 2001. Furcal has one of the strongest throwing arms in the league and is known for spectacular defensive plays mixed with occasional mental lapses on easy plays.

In his final season with the Braves, he violated probation on a drunken driving charge, and was ordered to serve 21 days in jail. In an unusual arrangement, the beginning of the jail term was contingent upon the Braves' situation on the playoffs. Once the Braves were eliminated from post-season action, Furcal served his time.


Los Angeles Dodgers

On December 7, 2005, Furcal signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for three years and $39 million. In September 2006 Furcal was selected as the inaugural winner of the Roy Campanella Award, given to the Dodgers player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall of Fame catcher. The award was voted on by only his fellow teammates.

In May 2007, he became one of only five Major League players to get 4 hits in 3 consecutive games.

In April 2008, he posted a .381 batting average, the best start in his career. However he soon suffered an injury that kept him sidelined for most of the season, not returning until right before the playoffs started.

On December 19, 2008, after speculation that he would re-sign with the Braves as a free agent, Furcal signed a 3-year $30 million contract to stay with the Dodgers.

Furcal struggled in the first year of his new contract, hitting only .269 for the Dodgers in 2009.

During the offseason Furcal plays for the Aguilas Cibaeñas and resides in Santiago, Dominican Republic.