Full name is Alfonso Gilleard Soriano¡ married to Isis¡ has six children, Alisis, Angeline, Alfonso Jr., Angel, Allen and Alisha... Attended Eugenio Maria de Osto High School in the Dominican Republic... Sponsors an RBI team through the Union League Boys & Girls Club of Chicago, which provides inner-city youth with the opportunity to play organized baseball.
2013
Combined to bat .255 (148-for-581) with 32 doubles, 1 triple, 34HR and 101RBI in 151 games with the Cubs and Yankees... Hit .256 (56-for-219) with 37R, 8 doubles, 17HR and 50RBI in 58 games (48 starts in LF, nine at DH) with the Yankees... Reached the 100RBI plateau for the second straight season and fourth time in his career-also 108RBI in 2012 w/ Chicago-NL, 104RBI in 2005 w/ Texas and 102RBI in 2002 w/ the Yankees… according to Elias, at age 37 in 2013, became the oldest player to register consecutive 100RBI seasons for the first time in his career, surpassing Andre Dawson (1990-91 when he was six months younger than Soriano)... Led the Majors with seven multi-HR games, including a team-high four with the Yankees… only Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt and Toronto's Jose Bautista (four each) had more than three such games... After joining the Yankees on 7/26, led the Majors with 17HR and 50RBI (in 58 games)… became the fourth player in Baseball history to collect at least 15HR and 50RBI for each of two different teams in one season, joining David Justice (2000 Indians and Yankees), Carlos Beltran (2004 Royals and Astros) and Manny Ramirez (2008 Red Sox and Dodgers)-credit: Elias... In 7/26 loss vs. Tampa Bay, played in his first game with the Yankees since 2003, going 0-for-5 with 1R and 1RBI… was his first ever game with the Yankees in the outfield… was acquired by the Yankees from the Cubs with cash considerations in exchange for minor league RHP Corey Black prior to the game... Drove in the winning run with a ninth-inning "walk-off" single, hit a two-run HR in the third-his first HR as a Yankee since 9/28/03 vs. Baltimore-and was 4-for-5 with 2R and 3RBI on 7/28 vs. Tampa Bay… was his 13th career "walk-off" hit (fourth as a Yankee) and first since 8/30/12 vs. Milwaukee (w/ Chicago-NL)… was his first four-hit game since 7/13/12 vs. Arizona... Hit 11HR in 28 games in August for the Yankees, the first time he reached double digits in homers in a calendar month since September 2007 w/ Chicago-AL (14HR)… became the only Yankee ever to hit at least 11HR in a calendar month at age 37 or older… his 31RBI in August were his most ever in a calendar month… became the first Yankee with at least 11HR and 31RBI in a calendar month since Mark Teixeira (13HR, 34RBI in May 2009) and the first to reach those numbers in August since Joe DiMaggio (14HR, 53RBI in August 1939)-credit: Elias... Hit his 100th HR as a Yankee in 8/7 loss at Chicago-AL... Recorded his 2,000th career hit with a solo HR in 8/11 win vs. Detroit… became the fourth player in the last 60 years to make his Major League debut with the Yankees and record at least 2,000 career hits, joining Derek Jeter (3,308), Bernie Williams (2,336) and Don Mattingly (2,153)-credit: Elias... Hit .682 (15-for-22) with 9R, 1 double, 5HR and 18RBI over five games from 8/13-17… tied a Major League record with 18RBI in a four-game span (8/13-16), now done by six players (four Yankees)-Jim Bottomley (7/6-9/29), Lou Gehrig (7/29-31/30), Tony Lazzeri (5/21-24/36), Joe DiMaggio (8/28-9/1/39) and Sammy Sosa (8/8-11/02)-credit: Elias… became the fourth player with at least 3H and 1RBI in four straight games as a Yankee (last was Johnny Damon in 2006)... Went 10-for-14 with 4HR and 14RBI over a three-game stretch from 8/13-15… the only other players ever to accumulate at least that many hits, homers and RBI over a three-game span were the Indians' Hal Trosky in 1936 (11H, 4HR, 15RBI) and the Dodgers' Shawn Green in 2002 (11H, 7HR, 14RBI)... Drove in 14 runs in the Yankees' four-game series vs. the Angels from 8/12-15, marking the most RBI in a single series by any Major Leaguer since the Marlins' Cody Ross had 15RBI in a four-game series at Colorado from 7/3-6/08… the last Yankee to drive in at least 14 runs in a single series of any length was Joe DiMaggio in a six-game set vs. Cleveland from 8/25-27/38 (14RBI)… the last Yankee to accomplish the feat in a series of four-games-or-fewer was Tony Lazzeri from 5/23-25/36 at Philadelphia (16RBI in four games)... Hit a grand slam-the fifth of his career and first since 7/27/09 w/ Chicago-NL vs. Houston-and a solo HR, going 3-for-3 with 3R, 1 double, 1BB and a career-high 7RBI in 8/14 win vs. Los Angeles-AL… set a career high in RBI for the second straight game (6RBI on 8/13)… is one of just three Major Leaguers since RBI became an official stat in 1920 with at least 6RBI in each of two straight games, joining Milwaukee's Geoff Jenkins from 4/28-29/01 (6RBI in each game) and Texas' Rusty Greer from 8/22-23/97 (6RBI in each game)… his 13RBI over the two-game span was the second-highest total by a single player in consecutive games in Yankees history, behind only Tony Lazzeri's 15RBI from 5/23 (G2)-5/24/36 at Philadelphia (4RBI and 11RBI, respectively)-credit: Elias… STATS LLC notes that his 13RBI in consecutive games is the most by any Major Leaguer since the Cubs' Sammy Sosa had 14RBI from 8/10-11/02 (9RBI and 5RBI, respectively)… his 7RBI on 8/14 marked the most RBI by a Yankee in a single game since Alex Rodriguez drove in seven runs in the final game of the 2009 season (10/4 at Tampa Bay)… became the first Yankee to homer multiple times in back-to-back games (hit 2HR in 8/13 win vs. Los Angeles-AL) since Jason Giambi from 8/28-29/05… collected multi-HR games in two straight contests for the third time in his career (also 5/16-17/08 w/ Chicago-NL and 5/6-7/05 w/ Texas)...Was named AL "Player of the Week" for the period ending 8/18 after batting .484 (15-for-31) with 9R, 1 double, 5HR and 18RBI in seven games, leading the Majors in hits, home runs, RBI, slugging pct. (1.000) and total bases (31), while tying for first in runs over the stretch… was his seventh career weekly award (first since 5/18/08 w/Chicago-NL) and fourth with the Yankees (first since 9/21/03)...Hit his 400th career home run in the third inning of 8/27 win at Toronto off J.A. Happ… became the seventh Major Leaguer all time to hit his 400th career home run while playing for the Yankees (also Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson, Gary Sheffield and Alex Rodriguez)… according to Elias, marks the most such players for any Major League team... Had an RBI in seven straight games from 9/1-7, matching the longest such streak of his career (4/27-5/3/04 with Texas)… marked the longest such streak by a Yankee since Robinson Cano drove in at least one run in nine straight games from 6/27-7/6/12... Was scratched from the lineup prior to 9/14 loss at Boston with a strained right thumb... In 93 games with the Cubs, batted .254 (92-for-362) with 47R, 24 doubles, 17HR and 51RBI.
2012
In his strongest season as a Cub, Alfonso led the team with 32 home runs and a career-high 108 RBI while hitting .262 (147-
for-561) in 151 games played ... was his sixth career 30-home run campaign, and first since hitting 33 in 2007 ... is one of
just 10 players with at least four 25-home run campaigns for Chicago. ...Became just the sixth Cub, age 36 or older, to drive in 100 runs in
a season ... joins Hank Sauer in 1954, Ernie Banks in 1969, Andre
Dawson in 1991, Fred McGriff in 2002 and Moises Alou in 2004.
...Hit all 32 of his home runs in his final 121 games, beginning May 15,
following no homers in his first 30 games to begin the campaign.
...Is only the fourth player in franchise history, and first in 59 years,
to reach 25 home runs despite not hitting a homer prior to May
15 ... joins Bill Nicholson in 1943, Hank Sauer in 1949 and
Ralph Kiner in 1953 ... thanks to Ed Hartig.
...Is just the second player in big league history to hit 30 homers
despite not hitting a long ball in his first 30 games of the season, joining
Boston's Dwight Evans, who did so in 1982.
...His 32 homers from May 15 through the end of the season led the N.L.
and ranked second in the majors behind Detroit's Miguel Cabrera (37).
...Played in 151 games, his most since playing a career-high 159 contests
in 2006 with Washington ... made 145 starts in left field.
...His 108 RBI ranked third in the N.L.
...Recorded his 1,000th career RBI, August 18 in Cincinnati, in the first
game of a day-night doubleheader.
...Recorded a .996 fielding percentage in left field, committing just one
error in 266 total chances.
...Prior to his lone fielding miscue, September 6 in Washington,
had gone 171-straight games (272 total chances) without an
error.
...Had two multi-home run games: June 8 in Minnesota and July 13 vs.
Arizona ... has 30 career multi-homer efforts.
...July 13 vs. Arizona, went 4-for-4 with two home runs, two doubles and
five RBI ... since RBI became an official stat in 1920, became just the
fourth Cub to have at least four extra-base hits and five RBI in the same
game (thanks to Elias).
...Joins George Mitterwald on April 17, 1974 against the Pirates,
Aramis Ramirez on September 16, 2004 against the Reds and
Matt Murton on August 3, 2006 against the Diamondbacks.
...Drove in his 100th RBI of the season, September 16 vs. Pittsburgh, with
a two-out, first-inning single.
...Hit his 30th home run of the season, September 19 vs. Cincinnati.
...Set a career high with his 105th RBI, thanks to a solo home run,
September 23 vs. St. Louis ... surpassed 104 RBI with Texas in 2005.
2011
Alfonso completed his fifth campaign with Chicago, hitting .244 with 27 doubles, a triple, 26 home runs and 88 RBI in 137
contests...the 88 RBI are his most since collecting 95 in 2006 with Washington...Batted .285 (37-for-130) with runners in scoring position, including a
.364 mark (8-for-22) with the bases loaded...Of his 26 home runs, 19 came off right-handed pitching...10 came in
the seventh inning or later...His 35 two-out RBI led the club and ranked tied for 11th in the N.L...Belted a franchise-record 10 April homers to go along with 20 RBI...entered May 1 tied for most homers in the majors with Ryan Braun. The 10 blasts were his most in a month since hitting 10 in May
of 2008...Is the first Cub since 1980 to at least share the big league lead in home
runs at the end of April - Dave Kingman's six home runs entering play
May 1, 1980 were tied for the major-league lead with Joe Rudi of the
Angels and Roy Smalley Jr. of the Twins (thanks to Elias)...Posted a .265 batting average (69-for-260) with 14 homers in the first
half of the season...hit .219 (47-for-215) with 12 homers following the
All-Star break...Had a season-high nine-game hitting streak, May 18-28...batted .353
(12-for-34) during the run...Twice had an extra-base hit in five-straight games: April 26-May 2 and
May 24-28...twice drove in a run in four-straight contests: April 25-30
and July 30-August 2...Drove in a season-high four runs twice in a span of seven games, August
27 at Milwaukee and September 3 vs. Pittsburgh...Hit his fifth homer in the 14th game of the season...in 2010, reached
five home runs in his 24th game of the season...Belted five homers in five games, April 26-May 2, including his 27th
career multi-homer effort, April 29 in Arizona...Belted a solo shot, April 30 in Arizona, that hit the façade of the center
field scoreboard at Chase Field...Hit his 11th homer, May 2 in Los Angeles, in the team's 28th game...became just the third Cub in the last 41 years to hit at least 11 long
balls in the team's first 28 games, joining Billy Williams in 1970 (12
homers) and Sammy Sosa in 2002 (13)...May 30 vs. Houston, left the game after straining his left quad running
out a ground ball in the first inning...landed on the 15-day disabled
list the following day...Activated from the D.L. prior to June 15's game vs. Milwaukee...Recorded his 28th career multi-homer game, August 2 at Pittsburgh...was his 13th multi-homer effort as a Cub, tying for 12th-most in
franchise history...Belted eventual game-winning homers in consecutive games, August
29-30 in San Francisco...September 15 in Cincinnati, recorded his 400th-career double...Drove in 20 runs in September, tied for fourth-most in the N.L.
2010
In his fourth season with the Cubs, Alfonso led the club with 40 doubles and a .496 slugging percentage, and was second with
24 home runs, 79 RBI and 67 runs scored ... it marked his fifth 40-double campaign (also 2002, 2005-07).
... Reached the 40-double mark, October 2 in Houston ... is one of five
players to have five 40-double seasons since 2002, joining Bobby Abreu,
Todd Helton, Albert Pujols and Brian Roberts.
... His 147 games played were the most since appearing in a career-best
159 contests in 2006 with Washington.
... The 79 RBI were his most since knocking in 95 with Washington in 2006.
... Batted .295 (43-for-146) with seven homers against lefties, compared
to a .243 mark (85-for-350) and 17 blasts against righties.
... Hit .340 (17-for-50) with two homers and 24 RBI with runners in scoring
position and two outs.
... Had a .292 average (21-for-72) with three homers and 11 RBI in April ...
in May, led the club with 18 runs, 28 hits, nine doubles, six homers and
16 RBI while posting a .308 batting average (28-for-91).
w Batted .237 (79-for-333) with 15 homers and 52 RBI in his final
99 games beginning June 1.
... Drove in a season-high four runs twice in a three-game span, April 30
and May 2 vs. Arizona, and collected 10 RBI in a three-game stretch for
the second time in his career (also May 4-7, 2005, with Texas).
... Homered in a career-high four-straight games, April 30-May 4, one game
shy of the Cubs record.
... Tied his career high with three walks, April 26 vs. Washington.
... Had a season-high, nine-game hitting streak, April 30-May 10 - hit .471
(16-for-34) during the run.
... Homered in consecutive games, May 22-23 in Texas.
... Belted his 300th career homer in the second inning, June 11 vs. the
White Sox, a game-tying, two-run blast off Jake Peavy ... became the
127th player in big league history to reach the milestone.
... Recorded his first sacrifice hit as a Cub in the fourth inning, June 16 vs.
Oakland ... it marked his first sacrifice hit since June 25, 2006 at
Baltimore, while with Washington.
... Collected his second two-homer contest of the year, June 29 vs.
Pittsburgh.
... Hit his first career pinch-homer and collected his 800th career RBI,
July 5 at Arizona, in the ninth inning off Juan Gutierrez.
... Doubled to left in the eighth inning, August 22 vs. Atlanta, for the 700th
extra-base hit of his career.
... Homered in two or more consecutive games for the third time on the
season, August 24 and 25 at Washington.
... Recorded his third multi-homer game of the season, September 28 at
San Diego ... was his 26th career multi-homer effort.
2009
Alfonso was limited to 117 games, as an injured left knee ended his season prematurely ... batted .241 with 20 home runs and
55 RBI in his third season with the Cubs.
... Hit .268 (42-for-157) with a .314 on-base percentage in 41 games from
the sixth spot of the batting order ... had a .228 average (69-for-302)
with a .295 on-base percentage in 70 contests at the top of the order.
... Belted five leadoff homers before he was moved from the top of the batting
order July 4.
... Was 16-for-50 (.320) with five home runs when putting the first pitch in
play.
... Led the team with seven outfield assists.
... Began the season on a high note, hitting .284 (25-for-88) with seven
homers and 14 RBI in 21 April contests.
... Hit 12 homers in his first 35 games through May 17; had eight in his final
82 contests.
... Celebrated Opening Day with his 50th career leadoff homer against Roy
Oswalt, April 6 at Minute Maid Park... Was the first Cub to lead off Opening Day with a homer since Tuffy
Rhodes accomplished the feat April 4, 1994 off Dwight Gooden
against the Mets.
... His eighth inning home run April 7 in Houston tied the game at 2-2 and
made him the first Cub since Scott Servais in 1996 to homer in each of
the club's first two games to start the season.
... Hit his second leadoff homer of the season and collected career stolen
base No. 250, April 12 in Milwaukee... Became just the 19th player in major league history to amass
250 career home runs and 250 career stolen bases.
... Collected his 1,400th career hit April 13 vs. Colorado, finishing the game
2-for-4 with a run and a walk.
... Homered two-straight games, April 27-28, including a three-run blast
April 28 in Arizona ... April 27, connected for his third lead-off homer of
the season.
... Hit two homers May 7 in Houston, his 23rd career multi-homer game.
... Hit his 10th homer May 10 in Milwaukee in his 30th game played - was
the fourth time he reached 10 homers by his 30th game played.
... Tied Craig Biggio for second all-time with his 53rd career leadoff homer,
May 13 vs. San Diego ... was his 21st as a Cub, setting a franchise mark,
surpassing Jimmy Ryan (20).
... Batted .216 (24-for-111) in 26 games in May.
... Hit his fifth, and final, leadoff homer of the season June 2 in Atlanta.
... Belted a game-winning, solo homer in the 14th inning June 7 in
Cincinnati to help Chicago to a 6-3 win ... was his fifth-career extra-inning
long ball.
... Went 2-for-5 with the game-winning, walk-off single in the ninth, June 18
vs. the White Sox - snapped a string of 24-consecutive contests without
a multi-hit game (career long is 27 games from 1999-2001)
... Moved from the leadoff spot and batted sixth July 4 vs. Milwaukee ... had
previously hit sixth August 2, 2005 with Texas.
... Hit a go-ahead three-run homer July 18 in Washington to end a streak of
120 at-bats since his previous homer June 7 in Cincinnati ... had missed
the previous game with an injured little finger on his right hand.
... Turned in a 10-game hitting streak July 16-27, during which he hit .405
(17-for-42).
... Belted a walk-off grand slam in the 13th inning July 27 vs. Houston - was
his third career walk-off blast, first as a Cub, and his fourth career slam.
... Had an MRI on his left knee August 29 - results showed inflammation in
the knee ... made his final appearance of the season September 3 vs.
the White Sox... Was shut down following the game to rest his left knee ... underwent
season-ending arthroscopic surgery on the knee September
15 (performed by Dr. Stephen Gryzlo).
2008
Alfonso endured two stints on the disabled list and batted .280 with a team-leading 29 home runs and 75 RBI in just 109
games ... was named to the N.L. All-Star squad but was unable to participate due to injury.
© Belted five leadoff home runs, giving him 49 for his career - that ranks
third in major league history behind Rickey Henderson (81) and Craig
Biggio (53).
Hit consecutive leadoff home runs May 13-14 vs. San Diego ...
was the fourth time he accomplished the feat with the Cubs.
© Was on the shelf, April 16-May 1, with a right calf strain, suffering the
injury April 15 vs. Cincinnati ... landed back on the 15-day D.L., June 12-
July 23, with a minimally displaced fracture of the fourth metacarpal in
his left hand suffered June 11 vs. Atlanta - included rehab appearances
with Rookie-League Mesa and Triple-A Iowa.
© Was elected by the fans to start the 2008 All-Star Game for the National
League but did not play.
© The club was 69-36 (.657) in games he batted leadoff ... was
28-28 (.500) in all other contests.
© Tied the franchise record with three home runs September 6 vs.
Cincinnati, and matched career-bests with four runs and five RBI.
Is one of six Cubs in team history with multiple three-homer
efforts.
He is one of only two players to hit three homers from the leadoff
spot ... the Mets' Jose Reyes turned the trick August 15,
2006 at Philadelphia.
© Had a prolific May in which he batted .345 (40-for-116) with eight doubles,
10 homers, 29 RBI and a 1.058 OPS after hitting just .175 (10-for-
57) with two homers, five RBI and a .528 OPS in the first month of the
season.
© Named the N.L. Player of the Week for May 12-18 after hitting .516 (16-
for-31) with two doubles, seven homers, 14 RBI, 10 runs scored a 1.758
OPS in that span.
© Belted seven homers in six games, May 12-17, including two-homer
games in consecutive contests, May 16-17 vs. Pittsburgh ... hit his 250th
career homer May 17 off Zach Duke.
© Drew 43 walks on the season, the second-highest total of his career -
had a career-best 67 walks in 2006 with Washington.
© Led off six straight games with a hit, marking a career high, May 13-18.
© Returned from his second D.L. stint July 23 in Arizona and went on to bat
.278 with 14 homers and 35 RBI in 58 games to close out the season.
© Hit .295 (67-for-227) at Wrigley Field compared to a .269 mark (60-for-
223) on the road.
© Batted .295 (67-for-227) in night contests, while posting a .268 (56-for-
209) batting average in day games.
© Stole a base in three consecutive games, July 28-30, marking his longest
streak since nabbing bags in four straight games June 28-July 1, 2003,
while with the Yankees.
© Recorded the 600th extra-base hit of his career when he doubled to lead
off the game, September 16 vs. Milwaukee.
© Was 1-for-14 (.071) in the NLDS against the Dodgers.
2007
In his first season with Chicago, Alfonso hit .299 with 33 homers and 70 RBI in 135 games, earning his sixth nod to the All-Star
Game as a reserve outfielder for the N.L. squad.
© Hit 12 leadoff homers, making him the only player in major league history
to have two seasons with 10 or more leadoff blasts (hit a single-season
record 13 leadoff homers with the Yankees in 2003).
Hit leadoff homers in consecutive games on three occasions.
Of his 12 leadoff home runs, seven came in September - the
most by any player in any month in major league history.
© Hit a ninth-inning, two-run homer off Seattle's J.J. Putz in the 2007 All-
Star Game, making him the first player to homer in the Mid-Summer
Classic while representing three clubs (Yankees, Nationals, Cubs).
Became just the second player ever to homer for both the N.L.
and A.L. squads, joining Frank Robinson.
© Slugged 14 home runs the final month of the season, a club record for
homers in September, surpassing Ernie Banks, who had 13 in 1957.
© Named the N.L. Player of the Month for June after hitting .336 (41-for-
122) with 11 homers, 18 RBI and a .697 slugging percentage in 28
games ... the 11 long balls led the league.
© Had seven hitting streaks of seven or more games on the season.
© His 50 multi-hit games tied Derrek Lee for the most by any Cub.
© Began his tenure in a Cubs uniform reaching base safely in 31-straight
games, April 2-May 15 ... it marked the second-longest streak of its kind,
behind teammate Derrek Lee, who started 2007 reaching safely in 32
games.
© Enjoyed a season-opening, seven-game hitting streak, collecting exactly
one hit in each game of the stretch ... was the seventh player since 1977
to begin his Cubs career by hitting in at least seven-straight games.
© Left the game April 16 vs. San Diego with a strained left hamstring ...
missed five games, returning April 22 vs. St. Louis.
© Hit his first home run as a Cub, and his 33rd career leadoff home run,
May 1 at Pittsburgh off Tony Armas.
© Belted his second leadoff homer of the season May 9 vs. Pittsburgh off
Tom Gorzelanny ... tied him for fifth all-time with Devon White and Ray
Durham with 34 leadoff homers.
The long ball accounted for the only run of the game and it
marked the first-ever 1-0 Cubs victory on a first-inning home run
at Wrigley in the park's first 7,168 games played there.
© Went 0-for-4 with a walk May 13 in Philadelphia to snap a career-best,
20-game hitting streak (32-for-86/.372) ... was the first Cubs 20-game
hitting streak since Jerome Walton had a 30-game streak in 1989.
© Played in his 1,000th career game, May 24 in San Diego.
© June 8 in Atlanta, recorded his second career three-homer game as part
of a 4-for-5 effort.
© June 20 in Texas, recorded three extra-base hits (two doubles and a
homer) to surpass 500 career extra-base hits.
© Hit leadoff home runs in consecutive games, June 22-23 at U.S. Cellular
Field against the White Sox ... became the first Cub to hit consecutive
leadoff home runs on the road since Sam Mertes also accomplished the
feat on June 8-9, 1900 at Boston.
© Named the N.L. Player of the Week for the week ending June 24, recording
a 1.090 slugging percentage and four homers.
© Belted two home runs and tied his career high with five RBI July 28 in
Cincinnati ... reached 600 career RBI.
© Suffered a right quad strain rounding second base in the third inning
August 5 vs. the Mets ... landed on the 15-day disabled list for the first
time in his career the following day ...activated August 28.
© Belted 14 homers and 27 RBI with a .320 batting average (39-for-122)
in September.
© Batted .143 (2-for-14) in three NLDS contests against Arizona.
2006
Soriano switched from second base to left field and led the Major Leagues in outfield assists with 22. He also remained an impact player with the bat, becoming a charter member of the 40-40-40 club (46 home runs, 41 stolen bases and 41 doubles). Soriano led the team in home runs and run scored.
2005
Soriano finished with impressive power numbers and ran the bases more aggressively than in 2004. Defense at second base remains a challenge for him, but the overall package makes Soriano a valuable commodity. He is headed into his final year of arbitration and could become a free agent after the 2006 season.
2004
Alfonso batted .280 with 28 home runs and 91 RBI in his first season with Texas...hit a club record 27 home runs as a second baseman,
tied with Houston's Jeff Kent for most in the majors at the position...selected to play in the All-Star Game for a third consecutive
year and became the first player ever to win the ASG Top Vote-Getter and MVP awards in the same season...made 142 starts
at second base and 3 as designated hitter...year was cut short by a hamstring injury sustained on Sept. 16, but is expected to be
fully ready for spring training.
Batting: Hit .280, lowest average in a full season
since 2001 (.268)...batted .391 (18-46) through April
16, hitting safely in 10 of his first 11 games with
Texas...was batting .336 (41-122) with 3 homers
and 23 RBI through May 8, span of 29 games...tied
American League record with club record 6 hits on
May 8 vs. Detroit, first player in Texas history to
accomplish that feat...recorded 6th hit in 9th inning
of Rangers' 10-inning win that night...was one of 6
major league players to record a 6-hit game in '04,
all in the American League...was only player with 6
hits in a home game...after the 6-hit contest, batted .279 (75-269) over next 62 games from May 9-July 21 to drop to .297...dipped
as low as .277 during that stretch...hit .106 (5-47) next 12 games through Aug. 3 to lower season mark to .276...posted .288 average
(49-170) over final 42 games to finish at .280...recorded pair of 10-game hit streaks, April 22-May 3 and Aug. 4-13...hit safely in
23 of 26 games in June, batting .325 for the month...posted .317 average in 70 home games...went 7-11 (.636) in 3 games as the
designated hitter...batted .392 (31-79) when putting the first pitch into play and hit .583 (7-12) when hitting 3-1 pitches...posted .389
(14-36) average in 9 games against New York and .370 mark (10-27) in 6 games vs. Houston...batted .329 (26-79) in 18 interleague
contests...had 4 hits on June 26 vs. Houston and posted 9 three-hit games...recorded 50 multi-hit games, 2nd-most among Rangers.
Home Runs: Hit 28 home runs, 3rd among Rangers and fewest since 2001...set
club record with 27 home runs at second base, matching Jeff Kent for most at
the position in '04...previous club record had been Julio Franco's 15 HR at second
base in 1991...became just the 12th second baseman in ML history with at
least 3 20-HR seasons in his career...is just the 6th second baseman ever to
post 3 consecutive 20-HR seasons...homered in 3 consecutive games July 3-5,
and 4 of 5 contests from July 3-7...recorded only 2-homer game of the season
on Sept. 13 at Oakland, the latter of those blasts tying the game in the top of the
9th inning...other home run on Sept. 13 had led off game, his only leadoff HR of
the year...now has 22 career leadoff homers...hit walk-off 2-run homer in 18th
inning on June 24 vs. Seattle...hit 100th career home run on May 2 vs.
Boston...hit 3 three-run homers, 7 two-run blasts and 18 solo home runs...had
a pair of 3-run homers in interleague games...hit 10 home runs in 43 games
against AL East foes, most versus any division.
RBI: Matched '03 total with 91 RBI, 4th most among Rangers...had 21 go-ahead RBI, 3rd among Rangers, and 9 game-winning RBI
that ranked T4th on club...matched career high with 4 RBI on May 8 vs. Detroit and July 16 vs. Toronto...had season-high 23 RBI in
27 games in July...posted 17 RBI in 17 contests against Oakland...hit sac fly to drive in winning run on July 11 at Boston.
All-Star MVP: Went 2-3 with a home run and 3 RBI in the 75th All-Star Game on July 13 in Houston...hit a 3-run homer in the first
inning off Roger Clemens to give AL a 6-0 lead...was named the Ted Williams MVP and received the Arch Ward Trophy for winning
the award...led fan balloting with 3,466,447 total votes and also led player balloting for AL second basemen with 572 votes...is the
first player ever to win the ASG Top Vote-Getter and MVP awards in the same season...only other Ranger to win the ASG MVP was
Julio Franco, also a second baseman, in 1990...only other second basemen to be named the game's MVP were Joe Morgan (NL) in
1972 and Roberto Alomar (AL) in 1998...is 3-8 with 2 HR and 4 RBI in his 3 All-Star games/starts.
Injury: Sustained a strained left hamstring while stealing 3rd base in the 8th inning on Sept. 16 at Oakland...left game and did not
appear in Rangers' final 16 contests...injury did not necessitate a DL stint since it occurred in Sept., and he has still never spent any
time on a major league disabled list.
2004 Notes: Named to 2004 AL Silver Slugger Team for 2nd time in his career (also 2002)...became 600th player in Texas history
with first plate appearance on April 5 at Oakland...had 18 steals, lowest total for a full season in his career...ranked 8th in AL with a
78.3% (18-23) success rate on attempted steals...had a .969 fielding percentage (23 E/749 TC) in 142 games/starts at second base,
lowest among qualifying major league players at the position...topped league and matched career high with 23 errors...led ML second
basemen with 104 double plays and 308 putouts, and tied with San Diego's Mark Loretta for most total chances at second
(749)...committed 2 errors in a game on 3 occasions...from April 9-May 3, went 38 straight games and 186 consecutive chances without
an error...had 2nd-most walks in his career (33)...walked twice on Aug. 10 vs. New York, 8th career game with multiple
walks...was selected by MLB to play on All-Star team that toured Japan in November, but was held back from the trip due to injury.
2003
Hit .290 with 38HR, 91RBI and 35SB in 156 games (154 starts at second base)...Ranked first in the American League with 682 at-bats, third with 358 total bases, fourth with 35 stolen bases, fifth with 38 home runs, 198 hits and 62 multi-hit games, and sixth with 114 runs...Became only the third player in Major-League history to record consecutive seasons with at least 35 HR and 35 SB, joining Willie Mays of the New York Giants in 1956-'57 and Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants in 1996-'97...only one other player had two 35/35 seasons in his career: Bobby Bonds (1973 and 1977)...Reached the 30-home-runs and 30-stolen-bases plateau for the second consecutive season...became only the second player in American-League history to accomplish the feat in back-to-back seasons, joining Bobby Bonds (37HR, 41SB with California in 1977; 31HR, 43SB with Chicago and Texas in 1978)...only five players have accomplished the feat in Major-League history (also Willie Mays, 1956-57; Ron Gant, 1990-91; Barry Bonds, 1995-97 (3); and Vladimir Guerrero 2001-02)...Is the first Yankee to have multiple 30/30 seasons...Bobby Bonds is the only other Yankee to have a 30/30 season (32HR/30SB in 1975)... Established the single-season Major-League record with 13 first-inning leadoff home runs, surpassing Brady Anderson (12 in 1996)...has 21 career leadoff home runs, second on the Yankees' all time list behind only Rickey Henderson's 24...Is the third Yankee second baseman to score at least 100 runs in each of two consecutive seasons, joining Snuffy Stirnweiss (1944-45) and Chuck Knoblauch (1998-99)...Hit first career grand slam on 3/31 at Toronto and became only the third Yankee to hit a grand slam on Opening Day, joining Russ Derry (on 4/17/45 vs. Boston) and Bobby Murcer (on 4/9/81 vs. Texas)...was his third straight Opening-Day start...Had career-high 15-game hitting streak from 4/13-27, batting .420 (29-for-69) with 6HR and 15RBI during the stretch...Was named A.L. "Player of the Week" for 3/31-4/6, batting .452 (14-for-31) with 8R, three doubles, one triple, 3HR and 10RBI...Was named A.L. Player of the Month for the month of April, topping the league in home runs (nine), multi-hit games (16), runs scored (26), hits (46), total bases (81), and grand slams (two)...is the first Yankee to win the honor since Jason Giambi won the award in May of 2002...Was elected to start 2003 All-Star Game at 2b for second straight season (was 0-for-3)...Reached 20HR and 20SB in 74th game of the season (on 6/23 at Tampa Bay), establishing the franchise record for fewest games to 20/20 (he set the previous club mark of 83 games in 2002)...Did not play in 7/8 loss at Cleveland after suffering bone bruise of left hand in 7/7 win vs. Boston (was hit on left hand on foul ballbbefore striking outbin first inning)...missed following two games (8/8-9) because of the injury...Was 2-for-3 with 3R, two solo HR (#35, 36) and 1BB in 9/22 loss at Chicago...was his sixth career multi-home-run game and his second of the season (also 9/15 at Baltimore)...established the single-season major-league record with his 13th first-inning leadoff home run of the season...Was named the A.L. "Player of the Week" for 9/15-21, pacing the AL in home runs (5), hits (14) slugging pct. (1.032) and total bases (32)...in seven games, he batted .452 (14-for-31) with 6R, 3 doubles, 5HR and 9RBI...was the second A.L. Player-of-the-Week Award this season (also 3/31-4/6) and third of his career (also 6/15-22/02)...Set a single-month career-high with 10HR in September while batting .348 (39-for-112) with 19RBI...hit nine home runs in the final 13 games of the season in which he made a plate appearance...Hit two-run ninth-inning "walk-off" home run in Game Four of the 2001 ALCS vs. Seattle...became the first rookie to hit a game-ending home run in post-season history...had his second game-winning "sudden death" hit of the postseason with his 12th inning RBI single in Game Five of the World Series vs. Arizona.
2002
In his first full season at the Major-League level,
infused the Yankees with his dynamic athletic skills, hitting
.268 with 18 HR, 73 RBI and 43 SB in 158 games (156 starts
at second base)...finished third behind Seattle's Ichiro
Suzuki and Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia for A.L. Rookie of the
Year...was named to the Topps' Rookie All-Star team, as
voted on by Major-League managers...led all American-
League rookies with 34 doubles, 18 HR, 73 RBI and 55 extra-base hits...with 18 home runs and 43 stolen bases
in 2001, only one rookie has ever equaled or surpassed his totals in both categories (Tommie Agee, 22 HR and
44 SB in 1966)...in the expansion era (since 1961) only two Yankees have led American-League rookies in home
runsbTom Tresh (20 in 1962) and Kevin Maas (21 in 1990)...he is also one of only two second basemen in history
to have at least 18 homers in their rookie seasonsbboth of them Yankees (as a second baseman, Joe Gordon
hit 24 homers in 1938)...ranked third in the AL with
43SB, establishing the Yankees' all-time single-season
rookie record (surpassed Bert Daniels' 41 for the New
York Highlanders in 1910)...had 11 steals of third in b01,
most by a Yankee since 1990 when Steve Sax had 11
(Rickey Henderson stole third 31 times in 1988)...the
Yankees won 16 of the 18 games in which Soriano homered,
the highest winning percentage for any team in the
Majors in games in which one player has homered (minimum
15 HRs)...hit 11 HR from the ninth spot in the
order, most in the Majors...made first Opening-Day roster...
was 32-for-92 (.348) with club-leading 5 HR, 13 RBI
in 24 G this spring...his 32 hits this spring were the most in the Major-Leagues...earned James P. Dawson award
as camp's outstanding rookie (selected by beat reporters)...hit game-winning solo HR in ninth inning on 4/14 at
Boston, becoming first Yankee rookie to homer at Fenway Park in one-run win since Hank Bauer in 1949...recorded
first career four-hit game in 4/11 win at Kansas City, going 4-for-4 with 2 R, 1 double, 1 HR, career-high 3 RBI and 1 SB...drew first base on balls of the season in 4/29 win vs. Oakland (span of 101 AB)...drew two bases on
balls in 6/22 win at Tampa Bay, the first multi-walk game of his career...did not start on 5/4 at Baltimore after being
scratched from lineup with tightness in right hamstring...ended longest streak by a rookie this year of playing in
every inning of his team's games (49 games)...tied his career high with 4 RBI (also had 4 RBI on 5/11 vs.
Baltimore) while establishing career
high with 3 R in 6/18 win at Detroit,
going 3-for-3 with 3 R, 1 triple, 1 BB and
1 SB...equaled his career high with 4
RBI in 7/27 win at Toronto, going 2-for-
4 with 1R, RBI single and three-run HR
(#8)...tied career high with 3R in 8/8
win at Tampa Bay, going 2-for-4 with
two-run HR and 3RBI...started each of
the Yankees' 17 post-season games at second base, batting .276 (16-for-58) with 2 HR and 7 RBI...hit two-run
ninth-inning walk-off home run in Game Four of the ALCS vs. Seattle...was the eighth walk-off home run in
Yankees' post-season history and first since Chad Curtis in Game Three of the 1999 World Series vs. Atlanta on
10/26...also became the first rookie to hit a game-ending home run in post-season history...had his second gamewinning
"sudden death" hit of the postseason with his 12th-inning RBI single in Game Five of the World Series vs.
Arizona.
2000
With the Yankees hit .180 (50AB, 5R, 9H, 2HR, 3RBI, 1BB, 15K) in 22
games. Recalled from Triple-A Columbus on 4/5 (3B Scott Brosius
D.L). Hit solo-HR in first start of the season on 4/8 at
Seattle...with homer on 4/9 at Seattle, became the first player
since Mike Greenwell in 1985 to have home runs account for each of
his first three Major-League hits. Optioned back to Columbus on 4/
25 to make room for Scott Brosius on the 25-man roster (D.L.).
Recalled from Columbia on 5/19 after SS Derek Jeter was placed on
the 15-day disabled list. Optioned back to Columbus on 5/27 to make
room on the 25-man roster for SS Derek Jeter (D.L.). Recalled from
Columbus on 9/5...finished tied for third in the International
League with 90 runs scored. Batted .290 with Columbus (459AB, 90R,
133H, 12HR, 66RBI, 25BB, 85K) in 111 games. Selected to the
International League All-Star Game...did not start and was 0-for-2
(SS). Named to Howe Sportsdata's All-Prospect team for the second
straight season.
1999
Quickly established himself as one of the premier prospects in all
of the Minor Leagues after only one season of baseball in the United
States...spent the majority of the season at Double-A Norwich, but
also spent time at Triple-A Columbus and was a September call-up
with the Yankees...was recalled from Columbus on 9/11 and batted
.125 with 1 HR and 1 RBI in nine games in the Majors...made his
Major-League debut in a 10-6 win on 9/14 at Toronto...pinch-ran for
Strawberry in the eighth and later flied out in his only at-
bat...recorded his first Major-League hit--a game ending solo home
run off Norm Charlton--in a 4-3, 11-inning win on 9/24 vs. Tampa
Bay...became the first Yankee to belt a homer for his first Major-
League hit since Dan Pasqua on 5/30/85 vs. California...made his
first Major-League start at SS in a 6-2 loss at Tampa Bay on 10/3
and was 0-for-5...batted .183 at Triple-A Columbus with 2 HR and 11
RBI in 20 games...batted .305 at Double-A Norwich with 15 HR and 68
RBI in 89 games...finished ninth in the league with his .309
average...ranked fifth among the Yankees minor leaguers with 25
stolen bases...was named Eastern League Player-of-the-Week for the
week ending 5/16 (batted .400, 12-for-30)...enjoyed a season-high
16-game hitting streak from 5/7-22...was named MVP of the Futures
Game played at Fenway Park on 7/11, going 2-for-3 with 2 HR and 5
RBI...was placed on the disabled list from 7/15-8/15 with a strained
left oblique muscle suffered during the Double-A All-Star game on 7/
14...was named to the Eastern League Post-Season All-Star
Team...named to Howe Sportsdata's All-Prospect Team...ranked as the
#4 prospect in the Yankee organization as well as Most Exciting
Prospect in the Eastern League by Baseball America...played for
Estrellas in the Dominican Winter League, hitting .205 (8-for-39)
with one HR and four RBI in 10 games.
1998
This highly-touted youngster signed with the Yankees on 9/29 after
playing the 1996 and '97 seasons in Japan...made his United States
debut in the Arizona Fall League, batting .254 with 6 HR and 28 RBI
in 34 games for Grand Canyon...was third in the league in extra-base
hits (17) and fourth in RBI (28)...was named Player-of-the-Week
twice...had an 11-game hitting streak from 10/8-22, batting .333
(16-for-48) with 4 HR and 15 RBI.
1997
Spent his second season in the Eastern League (Japanese minors),
batting .252 with 8 HR and 34 RBI in 68 games...made his Japanese
Major-League debut with Hiroshima Tokyo Carp of the Central League.
1996
Batted .214 with 13 RBI in 57 Eastern League contests...the Eastern League is a Japanese minor league.
1995
Hit .366 in 63 games with Hiroshima's Dominican club...drove in 55 runs.
