Ronnie Belliard

Infobox MLB player


width=250
caption=Belliard with the Nationals in 2008.
name=Ronnie Belliard
position=Second Baseman
team=Washington Nationals
number=10
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1975|4|7
debutdate=September 12
debutyear=1998
debutteam=Milwaukee Brewers
statyear=August 12, 2008
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.272
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=101
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=530
teams=
*Milwaukee Brewers (by|1998–by|2002)
*Colorado Rockies (by|2003)
*Cleveland Indians (by|2004-by|2006)
*St. Louis Cardinals (by|2006)
*Washington Nationals (by|2007-present)

Ronald "Ronnie" Belliard (born April 7 1975 in Bronx, New York) is a second baseman of Dominican descent who currently plays for the Washington Nationals. Belliard, an All-Star in 2004, is well known for playing out on the outfield grass. Belliard was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 8th round of the 1994 MLB Amateur Draft, and is a cousin of former major-league shortstop Rafael Belliard.

Milwaukee Brewers

In by|1999, Belliard was named Milwaukee Brewers player of the year. Ronnie began the season at Triple A Louisville before being recalled on May 11. He finished the season tops among National League rookies in almost every offensive category, including batting average (1st), runs batted in (6th), multi-hit games (4th), runs (6th), hits (4th), total bases (5th), doubles (2nd), triples (T-3rd), hitting streaks (T-5th), walks (1st), on-base percentage (1st), slugging percentage (3rd) and extra base hits (4th). Ronnie hit his first Major league home run and drove in his first run with a solo shot May 15.

In by|2000, Belliard established career highs in several categories, including games (152), runs scored (83), hits (150) and doubles (30) while setting the Brewers' National League franchise record with career-high 9 triples.

by|2001 saw Belliard set a career mark with 11 home runs and equaled a career-high with 30 doubles previously set in 2000. Ronnie was Milwaukee's Opening Day second baseman.

In by|2002, Belliard played second base (49 games) and third base (42 games) for Milwaukee.

Colorado Rockies

On January 17 by|2003, Belliard was signed as a minor league free agent by the Colorado Rockies after being non-tendered by Milwaukee on December 20 and became the first non-roster invitee in franchise history to start on Opening Day.

Cleveland Indians

Belliard signed a one-year deal with Cleveland for the by|2004 campaign. In 2004 Belliard enjoyed a fine season from an offensive standpoint, stabilizing the second base position after the club experienced inconsistency at the position in 2003. Ronnie amassed career-highs in hits (169), doubles (48) and RBI (70) and also set a new career-high with 12 HR. He finished 2nd in the American League with 48 doubles, which represented the highest total by an Indian since Albert Belle's 52 in 1995. His .282 batting average at second base led all AL second basemen. His 169 hits ranked 2nd and his 69 RBI placed 4th among league 2B. Belliard earned his first trip to the All-Star Game after hitting .304 (103-339) in the first half with 5 home-runs & 37 RBI in 84 games (was voted in by players). He avoided arbitration and signed a 1-year contract on December 20 with a club option for 2006. In 2005, Belliard collected new career-highs in homers (17) and RBI (78). as he finished 3rd among AL second basemen in RBI and doubles (36) and 4th in home runs.

St. Louis Cardinals

On Sunday, July 30 by|2006, Belliard was traded to the Cardinals for utility infielder Hector Luna in a move designed to acquire for St. Louis an every-day second baseman for the stretch run, and to provide bench bat strength for Cleveland.

Belliard was a key part of the Cardinals' success in the 2006 National League Division Series when he hit .462 with two RBI and two runs scored. The Cardinals defeated the San Diego Padres three games to one to advance to the National League Championship Series. Belliard eventually won his first championship ring when the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series, defeating the Detroit Tigers, four games to one. At the end of the season, however, Belliard was not re-signed, and became a free agent.

Washington Nationals

Belliard signed a minor league contract with the Nationals on February 18, by|2007. He was added to the Nationals' 40-man roster on March 22, 2007. Following an Opening Day injury to shortstop Cristian Guzmán, second baseman Felipe Lopez was moved to shortstop, while Belliard filled in at second base. On June 30 2008 against the Orioles at Nationals Park he hit a Walk-Off Home Run. Guzmán came back in early May, but at the end of June suffered a season ending injury putting Belliard back into the starting line-up. By July 23 Belliard had appeared in 85 of the Nationals 98 games, batting .305, and signed a two-year $3.5 million extension with the Nationals. He was viewed as a valuable veteran, capable of starting or as a utility infielder.

On August 22, 2008, Belliard was a triple away from the cycle as he singled, doubled twice, and homered in a Nationals 13 to 5 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

2007 Extortion Case

After the Cardinals World Series victory in 2006, Belliard, who is married and has two children, was accused of impregnating a woman after meeting her at a St. Louis nightclub. George Edwards, the woman's father, then allegedly tried to extort $150,000 from Belliard to keep quiet about the incident. When the woman had a miscarriage of the alleged child, Edwards still attempted to extort the money from Belliard in order to keep the media out of the situation. In January 2007, four conversations between Belliard's agents and Edwards were recorded and local investigators along with the FBI have now become involved in the case. While the case continues, Edwards has been ordered jailed without bond as a flight risk and public danger. ["Belleville man drops challenge of evidence in alleged shakedown of athlete." "Belleville News-Democrat" 30 Mar. 2007 "Bellevillenewsdemocrat.com" 1 Apr. 2007 < [http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/local/16998795.htm http://Bellevillenewsdemocrat.com] >.]

ee also

* Washington Nationals all-time roster

Notes

External links

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