Bárbaro Garbey
Bárbaro Garbey (/ɡɑːrˈbeɪ/ gar-BAY; born December 4, 1956) is a former Major League Baseball utility player and minor league coach. Garbey played in the outfield, at first and third bases, and also served as designated hitter.
| Bárbaro Garbey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Outfielder / First baseman | |
| Born: December 4, 1956 Santiago de Cuba, Cuba | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 3, 1984, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 2, 1988, for the Texas Rangers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .267 |
| Home runs | 11 |
| Runs batted in | 86 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Playing career
Garbey defected from Cuba in the Mariel boatlift in 1980.[1] He was signed by the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent that year. He reached the majors in 1984 with the Tigers, spending two years with them, earning team Rookie of the Year honors in 1984,[2] before moving to the Texas Rangers (1988). He was a member of the Tigers team that defeated the San Diego Padres in the 1984 World Series.
As a rookie in 1984, Garbey played in 110 games, including appearances at first base, second base, third base, designated hitter, and each of the outfield positions. Garbey hit .287 and had more RBIs (52) than several of Detroit's starters, including Howard Johnson, Larry Herndon, and Dave Bergman.
In 1983, Bárbaro was suspended for attacking a fan after a 10-inning game against Louisville.[3]
Coaching career
Since retiring, Garbey has found steady work coaching in the minor leagues. He spent two seasons (2014-15) as hitting coach for the Peoria Chiefs, then became a roving instructor for the Cardinals' farm system.
Garbey was named as the hitting coach for the rookie level Danville Braves in the Atlanta Braves organization for the 2018 season.
Garbey was named as the hitting coach for the GCL Braves in the Atlanta Braves organization for the 2019 season. He left the organization in 2020.
Broadcasting career
In 2023, Garbey was hired as a home game color commentator for the Detroit Tigers Radio Network's Spanish-language broadcast.[4]
References
- "USATODAY.com - Cuban ballplayers remember Garbey". usatoday30.usatoday.com.
- 2015 Detroit Tigers Media Guide. pg. 371.
- "Registered & Protected by MarkMonitor".
- Gunsorek, Lindsey (March 23, 2023). "¡Vamos, Detroit! Tigers Announce Expanded Spanish Radio Coverage". Ilitch Companies News Hub. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Cuban Baseball Career statistics