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.

Miscellaneous notes

• One of three players in MLB history to hit .400 or better in March/April (1986). The others are Willie Randolph (1980) and Clint Barmes (2005).
• First Rockies' player ever represented at All-Star Game (1993)
• First Rockies' player to have a field refurbished and named in his honor, when Andres Galarraga Field opened at the Denver Boys & Girls Club
• Won the three triple crown categories (BA, HR, RBI) although in different seasons
• Set Rockies' record for RBIs before the All-Star break (84, 1997)
• Honored in the docudrama movie Galarraga: puro béisbol (Galarraga: Nothing But Baseball - Venezuela, 2000)
• Honored in the book Andres Galarraga - Real Life Reader Biography, by writer Sue Boulais (2003)