Garces was signed by Minnesota as an amateur free agent in 1987. After stints with the Twins, Cubs and Marlins, he pitched for the Red Sox, turning into one of the American League's premier setup men. He quickly became a favorite among Red Sox fans, as much for his large size as his performance. His weight was listed at 215 lbs, although it is widely believed to have been significantly higher. The Red Sox asked Garcés to lose weight over an off-season, which he did. His numbers were never the same after that, however, leading many to believe the drastic weight loss negatively affected his mechanics.
In 1999, Garcés posted a 5–1 record with 33 strikeouts, a 1.55 earned run average, and two saves. This was followed with a mark of 8–1, 69 SO, 3.25 ERA, and one save in 2000.
Although only 31 years old in 2002, Garcés' performance displayed a much-weakened arm strength. After his disappointing ERA of 7.59 in 21 innings, he was released by Boston. On January 22, 2003, he signed with the Colorado Rockies as a free agent, but he was released in March 2003 before the regular season started.
In a ten-year career, Garcés compiled a 23–10 record with a 3.74 ERA, seven saves, 53 holds, 296 strikeouts, 164 walks, and 341+1⁄3 innings pitched in 287 games, holding opponents to a .227 batting average.
In June 2005, Garcés signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox, pitched in the Gulf Coast League for the Gulf Coast Red Sox. He was released in October 2005.
Garcés played for the Venezuelan Professional Winter League in 2006, finishing 3–1 with 11 saves and a 2.31 ERA in 24 appearances for the Aguilas del Zulia. Based on this performance, Garcés signed a contract in February 2007 to pitch for the Nashua Pride (of the independent Can-Am League) with the hope of working his way back to the major leagues.[2] He served as a relief pitcher for the Pride in 2007 and 2008.
^Duggan, Dan (21 February 2007). "El Guapo maps his comeback: Ex-Sox reliever Garces signs with Pride". Boston Herald. Retrieved 21 February 2007.[dead link]
External links
Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet, or Pura Pelota (Venezuelan League)
January 31, 2023
rich, garcés, richard, alan, garcés, mendoza, cess, born, 1971, former, right, handed, relief, pitcher, major, league, baseball, nicknamed, guapo, handsome, played, with, minnesota, twins, 1990, 1993, chicago, cubs, 1995, florida, marlins, 1995, boston, 1996, . Richard Alan Garces Mendoza Jr gar CESS born May 18 1971 is a former right handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball Nicknamed El Guapo The handsome one he played with the Minnesota Twins 1990 1993 Chicago Cubs 1995 Florida Marlins 1995 and Boston Red Sox 1996 2002 In 2017 he was the pitching coach for the Bridgeport Bluefish and as of 2022 he is working with the CT Mets as their Pitching Coordinator 1 Rich GarcesGarces holding a Rich Garces bobble belly that was given away at a Nashua Pride GameRelief pitcherBorn 1971 05 18 May 18 1971 age 51 Maracay VenezuelaBatted RightThrew RightMLB debutSeptember 18 1990 for the Minnesota TwinsLast MLB appearanceJuly 20 2002 for the Boston Red SoxMLB statisticsWin loss record23 10Earned run average3 74Strikeouts296TeamsMinnesota Twins 1990 1993 Florida Marlins 1995 Chicago Cubs 1995 Boston Red Sox 1996 2002 This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification Please help by adding reliable sources Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately especially if potentially libelous or harmful Find sources Rich Garces news newspapers books scholar JSTOR November 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Contents 1 Career 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksCareer EditGarces was signed by Minnesota as an amateur free agent in 1987 After stints with the Twins Cubs and Marlins he pitched for the Red Sox turning into one of the American League s premier setup men He quickly became a favorite among Red Sox fans as much for his large size as his performance His weight was listed at 215 lbs although it is widely believed to have been significantly higher The Red Sox asked Garces to lose weight over an off season which he did His numbers were never the same after that however leading many to believe the drastic weight loss negatively affected his mechanics In 1999 Garces posted a 5 1 record with 33 strikeouts a 1 55 earned run average and two saves This was followed with a mark of 8 1 69 SO 3 25 ERA and one save in 2000 Although only 31 years old in 2002 Garces performance displayed a much weakened arm strength After his disappointing ERA of 7 59 in 21 innings he was released by Boston On January 22 2003 he signed with the Colorado Rockies as a free agent but he was released in March 2003 before the regular season started In a ten year career Garces compiled a 23 10 record with a 3 74 ERA seven saves 53 holds 296 strikeouts 164 walks and 341 1 3 innings pitched in 287 games holding opponents to a 227 batting average In June 2005 Garces signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox pitched in the Gulf Coast League for the Gulf Coast Red Sox He was released in October 2005 Garces played for the Venezuelan Professional Winter League in 2006 finishing 3 1 with 11 saves and a 2 31 ERA in 24 appearances for the Aguilas del Zulia Based on this performance Garces signed a contract in February 2007 to pitch for the Nashua Pride of the independent Can Am League with the hope of working his way back to the major leagues 2 He served as a relief pitcher for the Pride in 2007 and 2008 See also EditList of Major League Baseball players from VenezuelaReferences Edit About US CT METS Duggan Dan 21 February 2007 El Guapo maps his comeback Ex Sox reliever Garces signs with Pride Boston Herald Retrieved 21 February 2007 dead link External links EditCareer statistics and player information from MLB or Baseball Reference or Fangraphs or Baseball Reference Minors or Retrosheet or Pura Pelota Venezuelan League Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rich Garces amp oldid 1123131050, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
