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Randy Velarde was born on November 24, 1962, in Midland, Texas.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randy Velarde was born on November 24, 1962, in Midland, Texas, U.S.
Randy Velarde played college baseball for Lubbock Christian University before being drafted into MLB.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randy Velarde played college baseball for Lubbock Christian University from 1982 to 1985, not the University of Texas, before being drafted by the Chicago White Sox.
The Chicago White Sox drafted Randy Velarde in the 19th round of the 1985 amateur draft.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randy Velarde was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 19th round of the 1985 amateur draft.
Randy Velarde was traded to the New York Yankees organization from the Chicago White Sox in 1987.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randy Velarde was traded to the New York Yankees organization in 1987 from the Chicago White Sox, not the Boston Red Sox organization.
Randy Velarde's MLB debut occurred on August 20, 1987, playing for the New York Yankees.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randy Velarde made his Major League Baseball debut on August 20, 1987, playing for the New York Yankees.
The image caption associated with Randy Velarde around 1988 identifies him as being with the New York Yankees.
Answer: False
Explanation: The image caption indicates that Randy Velarde was with the Columbus Clippers around 1988, not the New York Yankees.
In which city and state was Randy Velarde born?
Answer: Midland, Texas
Explanation: Randy Velarde was born on November 24, 1962, in Midland, Texas, U.S.
What was Randy Velarde's ethnic background?
Answer: Mexican American
Explanation: Randy Velarde is of Mexican American descent.
Which college did Randy Velarde attend before being drafted into MLB?
Answer: Lubbock Christian University
Explanation: Velarde played college baseball for Lubbock Christian University from 1982 to 1985 before being drafted.
Which MLB team initially drafted Randy Velarde?
Answer: Chicago White Sox
Explanation: Randy Velarde was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 19th round of the 1985 amateur draft.
In what year was Randy Velarde traded to the New York Yankees?
Answer: 1987
Explanation: Randy Velarde was traded to the New York Yankees organization in 1987 from the Chicago White Sox.
What was the name of the Triple-A affiliate Randy Velarde played for in the Yankees' system?
Answer: Columbus Clippers
Explanation: Velarde played for the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees in the International League, during his time in the Yankees' organization.
What was the nature of the trade that sent Velarde from the Chicago White Sox to the New York Yankees in 1987?
Answer: Velarde and Pete Filson were traded for Scott Nielsen and Mike Soper.
Explanation: In 1987, the Chicago White Sox traded Randy Velarde and Pete Filson to the New York Yankees in exchange for Scott Nielsen and Mike Soper.
Randy Velarde played for the Columbus Clippers as part of the New York Yankees' system.
Answer: True
Explanation: Velarde played for the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees in the International League, during his time in the Yankees' organization.
Randy Velarde established himself as the Yankees' primary utility player in 1990.
Answer: True
Explanation: Velarde became the Yankees' utility player in 1990, playing multiple infield and outfield positions.
During his initial tenure with the Yankees, Velarde exclusively played infield positions.
Answer: False
Explanation: During his first stint with the Yankees, Velarde played second base, shortstop, third base, and left field, and also played center field later on, indicating he did not exclusively play infield.
Velarde's utility role potentially hindered his offensive performance in 1990, as indicated by his .210 batting average.
Answer: True
Explanation: The text suggests that being the most shuffled player on the roster may have negatively impacted Velarde's offense, as he batted .210 in 95 games in 1990.
In 1991, Randy Velarde started at third base for the Yankees in a game where Rickey Henderson broke Lou Brock's stolen base record.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1991, Velarde started at third base for the Yankees in a game against the Oakland Athletics where Rickey Henderson achieved his record-breaking 939th stolen base, surpassing Lou Brock's mark.
Randy Velarde never held an everyday starting position for the Yankees, always remaining a utility player.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Velarde established himself as the everyday shortstop for the Yankees in 1992, he was consistently considered a utility player throughout his career due to his versatility.
Randy Velarde achieved batting averages of .301 in 1993 and .279 in 1994 while playing for the Yankees.
Answer: True
Explanation: Velarde achieved solid batting averages of .301 in 1993 and .279 in the strike-shortened 1994 season.
By 1994, Randy Velarde was the second-longest tenured player on the New York Yankees roster, surpassed only by Don Mattingly.
Answer: True
Explanation: By the 1994 season, Velarde had become the second-longest tenured player on the New York Yankees roster, surpassed only by team captain Don Mattingly.
Velarde chose to re-sign with the Yankees in 1995 for a modest contract despite receiving higher offers elsewhere, showing loyalty.
Answer: True
Explanation: Velarde re-signed with the Yankees for a one-year contract with incentives, even though he had received higher offers from other teams, demonstrating his loyalty and desire to remain with the club.
Manager Buck Showalter described Randy Velarde as 'the epitome of a team player.'
Answer: True
Explanation: Manager Buck Showalter described Velarde as 'the epitome of a team player,' highlighting his willingness to play any position and his overall loyalty.
Velarde's offensive performance improved significantly in the 1995 postseason compared to the regular season.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the 1995 regular season, Velarde batted .278, but his offensive output dropped significantly in the postseason, where he hit just .176.
Randy Velarde departed the Yankees after 1995 because they offered him a multi-year contract extension.
Answer: False
Explanation: Velarde left the Yankees because they declined his request for a three-year contract. He subsequently signed a contract with the California Angels, although he expressed a desire to remain with the Yankees.
When did Velarde become the primary utility player for the Yankees?
Answer: 1990
Explanation: Velarde became the Yankees' utility player in 1990, playing multiple infield and outfield positions.
Which record did Rickey Henderson break in a game where Randy Velarde started for the Yankees in 1991?
Answer: Most stolen bases in a career.
Explanation: In 1991, Velarde started at third base for the Yankees in a game where Rickey Henderson achieved his record-breaking 939th stolen base, surpassing Lou Brock's mark.
What were Velarde's batting averages for the New York Yankees in the 1993 and 1994 seasons?
Answer: .301 in 1993 and .279 in 1994
Explanation: Velarde achieved solid batting averages of .301 in 1993 and .279 in the strike-shortened 1994 season.
By 1994, who was the only player with longer tenure on the New York Yankees than Randy Velarde?
Answer: Don Mattingly
Explanation: By the 1994 season, Velarde had become the second-longest tenured player on the New York Yankees roster, surpassed only by team captain Don Mattingly.
How did manager Buck Showalter characterize Randy Velarde's contribution?
Answer: As the epitome of a team player.
Explanation: Manager Buck Showalter described Velarde as 'the epitome of a team player,' highlighting his willingness to play any position and his overall loyalty.
Why did Randy Velarde leave the New York Yankees after the 1995 season?
Answer: The Yankees declined his request for a three-year contract.
Explanation: Velarde left the Yankees because they declined his request for a three-year contract. He subsequently signed a contract with the California Angels, although he expressed a desire to remain with the Yankees.
Randy Velarde missed the entire 1997 season due to an injury while playing for the California Angels.
Answer: True
Explanation: Velarde was forced to miss the entire 1997 season due to an injury, playing only one game that year.
Velarde was traded to the Oakland Athletics in the middle of the 1999 season.
Answer: True
Explanation: After playing more than three seasons with the Angels (California/Anaheim), Velarde was traded to the Oakland Athletics during the 1999 season.
In 1999, Randy Velarde achieved career-best statistics, including his highest hit total and batting average.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1999, Velarde recorded personal bests in batting average (.317), runs (105), hits (200), triples (7), home runs (16), runs batted in (76), stolen bases (24), and on-base percentage (.390). He also ranked fourth in the American League in hits.
Randy Velarde returned to the New York Yankees in mid-2001, acknowledging his 1995 departure was a mistake.
Answer: True
Explanation: Velarde rejoined the Yankees in mid-2001 after a short stint with the Texas Rangers. He acknowledged that leaving the Yankees in 1995 to seek an everyday playing role was a mistake and expressed a desire to 'redeem the part of the career [he] missed.'
Randy Velarde won a World Series championship with the New York Yankees in 2001.
Answer: False
Explanation: Randy Velarde played in the 2001 World Series with the New York Yankees, but the team lost the championship.
Randy Velarde played his final MLB season in 2002.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randy Velarde played his final MLB season in 2002 with the Oakland Athletics, not the Texas Rangers.
Randy Velarde's final Major League Baseball appearance was on September 29, 2002, with the Oakland Athletics.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randy Velarde's final Major League Baseball appearance occurred on September 29, 2002, while playing for the Oakland Athletics.
What happened to Randy Velarde during the 1997 season while playing for the Angels?
Answer: He missed the entire season due to injury.
Explanation: Velarde was forced to miss the entire 1997 season due to an injury, playing only one game that year.
In which season was Randy Velarde traded to the Oakland Athletics?
Answer: 1999
Explanation: After playing more than three seasons with the Angels (California/Anaheim), Velarde was traded to the Oakland Athletics during the 1999 season.
Which of the following was NOT among Randy Velarde's career-best statistics achieved in the 1999 season?
Answer: Games played (150)
Explanation: In 1999, Velarde achieved career bests in batting average (.317), runs (105), hits (200), triples (7), home runs (16), runs batted in (76), stolen bases (24), and on-base percentage (.390). He played in 140 games that season, not 150.
What motivated Randy Velarde to rejoin the Yankees in mid-2001?
Answer: He acknowledged leaving in 1995 was a mistake and wanted to 'redeem' his career.
Explanation: Velarde rejoined the Yankees in mid-2001 after a short stint with the Texas Rangers. He acknowledged that leaving the Yankees in 1995 to seek an everyday playing role was a mistake and expressed a desire to 'redeem the part of the career [he] missed.'
Did Randy Velarde win a World Series championship with the New York Yankees?
Answer: No, he lost the 2001 World Series with them.
Explanation: Randy Velarde played in the 2001 World Series with the New York Yankees, but the team lost the championship.
What was Randy Velarde's final MLB team before retiring in 2002?
Answer: Oakland Athletics
Explanation: Randy Velarde played his final MLB season in 2002 with the Oakland Athletics.
How did Velarde view his return to the Yankees in 2001 compared to his departure in 1995?
Answer: He regretted leaving the Yankees in 1995 to pursue an everyday role.
Explanation: Upon returning to the Yankees in 2001, Velarde acknowledged that leaving the team in 1995 to pursue an everyday playing role was a mistake. He expressed a determination to 'redeem the part of the career [he] missed.'
Randy Velarde is most famous for executing the eleventh unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randy Velarde is most famous for executing the eleventh unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history on May 29, 2000, while playing for the Oakland Athletics.
Randy Velarde's primary assets were identified as his power hitting and consistent defense.
Answer: False
Explanation: Randy Velarde's primary asset was his versatility, allowing him to play multiple positions effectively. This was noted in contrast to his sometimes unreliable defense and lack of significant power hitting (slugging prowess).
Randy Velarde was the first player in MLB history to record 200 hits in a season for two different teams.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1999, Velarde became the sixth player in Major League history to record 200 hits in a single season while playing for two different teams (the Angels and the Athletics), and the first player to do so since Willie Montañez in 1976.
Randy Velarde played in 1,273 games over 16 seasons in his Major League Baseball career.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randy Velarde played in a total of 1,273 games over 16 seasons in his Major League Baseball career.
Randy Velarde finished his MLB career with a .276 batting average and hit exactly 100 home runs.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randy Velarde finished his Major League Baseball career with a .276 batting average and hit 100 home runs.
What is Randy Velarde most famous for achieving in Major League Baseball history?
Answer: Executing the eleventh unassisted triple play in MLB history.
Explanation: Randy Velarde is most famous for executing the eleventh unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history on May 29, 2000, while playing for the Oakland Athletics.
What was considered Randy Velarde's main asset as a player, according to the source?
Answer: Versatility across multiple positions.
Explanation: Velarde's primary asset was his versatility, allowing him to play multiple positions effectively. This was noted in contrast to his sometimes unreliable defense and lack of significant power hitting (slugging prowess).
What was the significance of Randy Velarde's 200-hit season in 1999?
Answer: He became the first player since 1976 to record 200 hits playing for two different teams in the same season.
Explanation: In 1999, Velarde became the sixth player in Major League history to record 200 hits in a single season while playing for two different teams (the Angels and the Athletics), and the first player to do so since Willie Montañez in 1976.
During his unassisted triple play in 2000, what was Velarde's position?
Answer: Second Base
Explanation: While playing second base for the Oakland Athletics against his former team, the New York Yankees, Velarde caught a line drive off the bat of Shane Spencer, tagged Jorge Posada who was running from first base, and then stepped on second base to force out Tino Martinez.
How many career home runs did Randy Velarde hit in MLB?
Answer: 100
Explanation: Randy Velarde hit 100 home runs during his 16 seasons in Major League Baseball.
What was Randy Velarde's career fielding percentage?
Answer: .970
Explanation: Velarde finished his career with a .970 fielding percentage.
In how many postseason games did Randy Velarde participate during his career?
Answer: 18
Explanation: In 18 postseason games, Velarde recorded a .235 batting average, scored 6 runs, hit 2 doubles, drove in 5 runs, and drew 9 walks.
Randy Velarde admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs known as 'the cream' and 'the clear'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Velarde admitted, through his lawyer, that he had used 'the cream' and 'the clear' while he was a member of the Oakland Athletics.
Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds' personal trainer, supplied the performance-enhancing drugs used by Randy Velarde.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randy Velarde stated that the performance-enhancing drugs, 'the cream' and 'the clear,' were supplied to him by Greg Anderson, who served as Barry Bonds' personal trainer.
Randy Velarde testified in a perjury case related to performance-enhancing drugs.
Answer: False
Explanation: Randy Velarde testified in the perjury case involving Barry Bonds, not Roger Clemens, concerning his use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Randy Velarde was named in which report concerning performance-enhancing drugs?
Answer: The Mitchell Report
Explanation: Yes, Randy Velarde was named in the Mitchell Report, released in December 2007, which detailed the use of performance-enhancing drugs by numerous baseball players.
Who supplied the performance-enhancing drugs ('the cream' and 'the clear') to Randy Velarde?
Answer: Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds' personal trainer.
Explanation: Randy Velarde stated that the performance-enhancing drugs, 'the cream' and 'the clear,' were supplied to him by Greg Anderson, who served as Barry Bonds' personal trainer.
What specific substances did Randy Velarde admit to using, as mentioned in the context of the Mitchell Report?
Answer: 'The cream' and 'the clear'.
Explanation: Velarde admitted to using 'the cream' and 'the clear,' which are identified as performance-enhancing drugs.
Randy Velarde played primarily as an infielder throughout his 16-season Major League Baseball career, also seeing time in the outfield.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Randy Velarde was primarily an infielder, his versatility extended to playing in the outfield as well, making the statement that he played *exclusively* as an infielder inaccurate.
Throughout his career, Randy Velarde batted and threw right-handed.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randy Velarde batted and threw right-handed throughout his Major League Baseball career.
Who is Randy Velarde?
Answer: An American former professional baseball infielder and utility player.
Explanation: Randy Velarde is an American former professional baseball infielder and utility player who played in Major League Baseball for 16 seasons.
Which positions did Randy Velarde primarily play during his MLB career?
Answer: Infielder (second base, shortstop, third base) and Outfield
Explanation: Velarde primarily played as an infielder, covering second base, shortstop, and third base. He was also utilized in the outfield, functioning as a utility player.