César Izturis

César Izturis (born February 10, 1980 in Barquisimeto, Lara State, Venezuela) is a shortstop in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the half brother of shortstop Maicer Izturis.

Related Topics:
February 10 - 1980 - Barquisimeto, Lara State - Venezuela - Shortstop - Major League Baseball - Los Angeles Dodgers - Maicer Izturis

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Izturis' greatest strengths are spectacular defense and solid contact hitting. A switch-hitter, he is better from the right side and he has good speed but very little power.

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Signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as an amateur free agent in 1996, Izturis made his debut with Toronto in 2001 and was traded to the Dodgers at the end of the season.

Related Topics:
Toronto Blue Jays - Free agent - 1996 - 2001

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Coming from a long tradition of Venezuelan shortstops, which includes Chico Carrasquel, Luis Aparicio, Dave Concepción, Ozzie Guillén, Omar Vizquel, Alex González and Carlos Guillén, Izturis has the defensive skills to rank in such distinguished company. After showing some hitting potential with a .269 average in his rookie season with Toronto, the Dodgers were enthusiastic to trade for him.

Related Topics:
Chico Carrasquel - Luis Aparicio - Dave Concepción - Ozzie Guillén - Omar Vizquel - Alex González - Carlos Guillén - Average

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Izturis was designated as the everyday starting shortstop from Opening Day of the 2002 season, and he quickly established himself in the Dodgers' infield. But he showed no patience at plate, resulting in a decline in average and very few walks. After two years of barely adequate hitting (though compensated by his stellar glovework), he improved markedly in 2004, when he hit .288 with 62 RBI and 25 stolen bases in 159 games. At the end of the season he earned his first Gold Glove.

Related Topics:
2002 - Walks - 2004 - RBI - Stolen bases - Gold Glove

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In 2005, Isturis started playing as well as any shortstop in major league, hitting around .340 at one point, was selected for the National League All-Star team, but dipped all the way down into the .250 range. Curiously, his defense also seemed to suffer. After two trips to the disabled list, in September was reported that Izturis will undergo Tommy John surgery in his right elbow, and is likely out until July 2006. This is a rather stunning development because usually pitchers are the only ones to endure such a dramatic procedure.

Related Topics:
2005 - National League All-Star - Disabled list - Tommy John surgery - Elbow - 2006 - Pitcher

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In a five-season career, Izturis is a .261 hitter with 10 home runs and 173 RBI in 604 games.

Related Topics:
Home run - Games

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