Andrés Galarraga

At six-foot-three and 235 pounds (1.91 m, 117 kg), Galarraga began his professional career in Venezuela at age of 16. Despite several injuries that plagued Galarraga throughout his career, he was a very popular player both for his achievements on the field, and for his big and bright smile that was used to charm, greet, guard, and convince. He was nicknamed "The Big Cat" (El Gran Gato) for his extraordinary quickness at first base in spite of his big frame.

Big Cat quotations

• I don't like the record. You can have it. - After being hit by a pitch for the 21st time, an Atlanta Braves record.
• I thought when I first heard the word 'cancer' that I was going to die the next day. The next hardest thing then became how to tell my wife and my three daughters - After the diagnosis.
• The attention helped. I think the three main pillars of support to me during those painful treatments were my faith in God, my family and the medicine modern science has today. - Before his treatments were concluded, in late September, 1999.
• It was very difficult. I had a lot of nausea. But I always was optimistic. ... Thank God it worked, and I feel better than ever. At a news conference in May 2004, after undergoing cancer treatment for a second time.