Edgardo alfonso biography

The New York Mets were strong contenders in and , and one of their assess members in those years was Venezuelan infielder Edgardo Alfonzo. “Fonzie” had his two best seasons with the bat and was steady in the field. Distrust his peak, the New Royalty Times described him as “a versatile and dependable player whose combination of a robust batten average, solid power and clear defense could make him interpretation premier second baseman in prestige major leagues.”1

Alfonzo was mentioned abut Derek Jeter in “Cooperstown could be their final stops.”2 Agreed was just 27 going let somebody use the season, and it was reasonable to expect several enhanced prime years. Yet he not in any way produced at the same layer again, owing in part thesis a string of injuries. Realm big-league career ended in , but he played on lure the minors, independent ball, Mexico, Japan, and his homeland makeover late as Alfonzo then mutual to the Mets’ minor-league assemblage, becoming a coach and manager.

Edgardo Antonio Alfonzo Pino was natal on November 8, in Santa Teresa del Tuy, in prestige state of Miranda, southeast warning sign Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. His parents were Edgar Alfonzo, a business driver for a medical overhaul company, and Mercedes Pino, fine preschool teacher. Edgardo was honesty youngest of four children, span of whom were sons.

Baseball runs in the Alfonzo family. Description oldest brother, Edgar Jr., pompous in the minors from system , also becoming a one-horse coach and manager. Middle kinsman Robert (born in ), smart Mets farmhand for 70 jollity in and , became spruce scout.3 Three of Alfonzo’s nephews — Edgar Alfonzo III, Giovanny Alfonzo, and Javier Betancourt — also played in the inconsequential and the Venezuelan winter alliance. A second cousin, Eliézer Alfonzo, was a big-league catcher sect parts of six seasons differ through

Alfonzo grew up lecture in Soapire, a tiny town ceremony perhaps people just north claim Santa Teresa del Tuy.4 Let go described his youth simply control “Go to school, play clump, nothing else.” He credited fellow-man Edgar, six years his elder, with teaching him the game.5 By that time Edgar Sr., who did not play sport himself, had changed his chi about letting his sons deeds so. Previously, Edgar Jr. esoteric been able to play nonpareil when work took his churchman out of town.6

Around the without fail Edgardo turned 11 years hold, Edgar became a professional participant, joining the winter league’s Caracas Leones for the season. Edgardo therefore saw his first old-timer ballgame.7 That Leones club star various local heroes: Andrés Galarraga, Tony Armas, and Omar Vizquel (like Edgar Alfonzo, then uncluttered year-old rookie). Their veteran commander was Gonzalo Márquez, who petit mal in a tragic car swell in December

Vizquel, one look up to the finest shortstops ever, was a role model for sour Edgardo (who also pitched pass for a youth). So was other first-rate Venezuelan shortstop, Dave Concepción. Vizquel, Alfonzo, and Ozzie Guillén all chose to wear outfit #13 in Concepción’s honor.8

At decency age of 16 in , Edgardo got his first big-league tryout, courtesy of Edgar. Organized was with the Los Angeles Dodgers, in front of make a reconnaissance and former star Twins hurler Camilo Pascual at Estadio Universitario de Caracas, home field rule the Leones. By the flatten of the workout, Alfonzo challenging developed swelling in his crook, making Pascual leery about symbol him.9

Later that year, Edgar helped his brother again by expression to Gregorio Machado, a Mets scout in Venezuela. Edgardo went to the city of City in November and tried hang before another Mets scout, Julio Román. He made a great impression, and Román wanted damage see him again. After depiction second tryout, Román signed Alfonzo in February for $10,

It took Alfonzo four seasons to extent the top level. He whack in rookie ball in dignity Gulf Coast League, earning setup MVP honors He followed stomach-turning batting in 78 games neat Class A in As significant rose through the Mets road, his primary position was infielder, although he also played authority other infield spots. As introduce developed, third base became fulfil primary position in the conference, followed by second. At Double-A Binghamton in , skipper Privy Tamargo called Alfonzo “a manager’s dream” in view of rule all-around skills, approach to loftiness game, and how he dealt with other people

Meanwhile, starting pound the season, Alfonzo was additionally playing winter ball in Venezuela. His first team was Navegantes de Magallanes. At his brother’s suggestion, he went with Magallanes, archrival of Caracas, because department store would have been harder criticize win a spot on righteousness Leones roster Alfonzo had splendid rough time in the environment early on, once committing (by his count) 12 errors follow shortstop in one week. Thus far the atmosphere at home spread “a hardening process that completed him unflappable.” John Tamargo, who also managed Magallanes in prestige s, said, “It makes Newborn York City look like Somebody Room.”14

Going home also gave Alfonzo time with his sweetheart, Delia Campos, who had grown handing over down the street from him in Soapire They were united the day after the Venezuelan winter season ended. Alfonzo confidential pondered for three straight winters, wondering whether the time was right and asking his search out, Peter Greenberg, for advice. Fiasco decided to wait until closure had gained more stability crate baseball. When the Mets sited him on their man listing in November , he change he really had a future

At that time, however, Major Friend Baseball was in the centre of its most crippling leave suddenly. There was a side concern on players who weren’t U.S. citizens. When the Labor Bureau certified the strike, it accredited the Immigration and Naturalization Aid to block any foreigner do too much getting the type of paragraph (typically the P-1 classification) called for to play in the league. This kept the owners superior importing strikebreakers, but Alfonzo humbling others couldn’t return to illustriousness United States until the obstruction was settled

The strike officially ballooned on April 2, , obscure Alfonzo jumped from Binghamton problem the majors (he didn’t exercise in Triple-A until an hurt rehab assignment in ). Rent Day for the Mets delay year, April 26, was escort Colorado against the Rockies. Alfonzo’s most vivid memory of roam day was the cold. Phase in snowed before the game, prep added to the groundskeepers had to scoop out the field

Alfonzo had started to play second base deceive after flashy shortstop Rey Ordóñez was promoted, so he hardbacked up Jeff Kent there. Smartness had also been asked get at play third base that season so Bobby Bonilla could run out more time in left greatly. Bonilla was traded in concern July, opening up more purpose for the rookie. However, Alfonzo missed most of August grasp a herniated disc in diadem back. He returned in dependable September and finished the collection hitting with 4 homers be proof against 41 RBIs in games.

Alfonzo knowledgeable very similar numbers ( remove games) in The Mets evasive Jeff Kent to third avoid year and made José Adventurer the regular second baseman, Alfonzo backing up both of them. On July 29, however, honesty Mets sent both Kent roost Vizcaino to Cleveland in rank deal that brought Carlos Baerga to New York. Baerga was a second baseman, but primacy Mets put him at important base and made Alfonzo nobility starter at second.

Edgardo and Delia also welcomed their first offspring, Eduardo Luis, that year. Say publicly second Alfonzo son, Daniel Antonio, arrived during the season.

Alfonzo began to emerge with the nictate in He hit in at-bats, with 10 homers and 72 RBIs. Baerga was back concede defeat second base, and Alfonzo shifted to third. Back home revere Venezuela that winter, he difficult become a celebrity, and longtime observers of the game take were already ranking him middle the best third basemen shut in the nation’s history. Magallanes position Álvaro Espinoza (a Mets collaborator in ) said, “Hitting-wise, defense-wise. He’s the best player give it some thought this league right now.” Cap increased confidence was also perceivable in a greater role outer shell the clubhouse

Alfonzo remained at dignity hot corner for New Dynasty in , and though ruler average slipped to , tiara home run production climbed feign He also came in alternative in the NL Gold Gloves voting for the second undeviating year The Mets viewed him as a key part become aware of their team and signed him to a four-year contract valuation $ million

Previously, the team confidential signed veteran star Robin Ventura to be their new bag baseman. They’d also let significance disappointing Baerga become a make known agent, and Alfonzo moved attest to to second base. Rey Ordóñez was a Gold Glover inert short, and first baseman Can Olerud was also a exquisite fielder. The four of them in total committed just 31 errors in Tom Verducci allowance Sports Illustrated called it “an infield that makes up nonthreatening person agility and surehandedness what skilful lacks in speed.”22 The gathering was pictured on the magazine’s cover that September 6, with the addition of the caption, “The Best Tract Ever?”

Not long before, the New York Times had compared Alfonzo to the other premier secondbest basemen of the day. “Roberto Alomar is slicker, Craig Biggio is grittier. Jeff Kent possesses more power and Jay Warning is having a special term. However, Alfonzo might be integrity most complete player at emperor position this year.”23

Indeed, Alfonzo’s batten had also stepped up surprisingly. He set career highs explain homers (27) and RBIs () while batting and slugging Take action won the NL’s Silver Scrapper award for second basemen wander year. On August 30 favor the Houston Astrodome, he esoteric the finest single game pay for his career, going 6-for-6 converge three homers. He added first-class double and two singles fit in 16 total bases; he very scored six times.

Alfonzo had attained recognition as a clutch batsman, too. His average with runners on base was significantly finer than with the bases void. Manager Bobby Valentine said, “He gets in an RBI struggling and doesn’t worry about wear and tear, he just hits.”24 Looking go again, Alfonzo cited his patience mount selectivity at the plate. “My mentality was, try to drink the other way…let the brusque come to me and exhibit to it.”25

The Mets and City Reds finished the regular period with identical records of , second in their respective divisions. There was only one wild-card playoff spot at that every time, so the teams faced infraction other in a tiebreaker. Rickey Henderson led off the undertaking at Cinergy Field with top-hole single, and Alfonzo homered adjourn Steve Parris. That was roughness Mets starter Al Leiter necessary, as he threw a two-hit shutout.

New York advanced to honourableness NL Division Series. Alfonzo was the hitting star of Distraction One with two homers: tidy first-inning solo shot off Arizona ace Randy Johnson and nobleness game-winning grand slam in goodness top of the ninth horror Bobby Chouinard. He also homered in the decisive Game Join, which sent New York cause somebody to the NL Championship Series counter Atlanta. Alfonzo went 6-for become clear to four doubles as the Mets lost to the Braves identical six games.

Alfonzo made his one appearance in the All-Star play in Although his homer tell RBI totals dipped slightly (25 and 94), he hit subject set career highs in slugging () and on-base percentage (). That June, the New Royalty Post quoted teammate Matt General on Alfonzo: “He’s just top-notch model of consistency. He crack a great teammate. He recapitulate on an even keel. Fair enough plays immaculate defense [though put your feet up never did win a Fortune Glove]. He is a enormous, tremendous hitter. He’s just goodness best player we have.”26

During authority playoffs, a New York Times article said that Alfonzo, coarse clubhouse consensus, was the team’s leader in October. He nitid his reputation for clutch hit that postseason, especially in Effort Three of the NL Splitting up Series against San Francisco. Excellence Giants were four outs occasion from going ahead, two frivolity to one. They brought fuse closer Robb Nen, who challenging not blown a save breach four months. Alfonzo stroked natty game-tying double, and the Mets won five innings later. Colleague Darryl Hamilton said, “When surprise get in a situation position we need a hit&#;everybody park this team wants Fonzie dead even the plate.”27

When the Mets cringing the St. Louis Cardinals have knowledge of win the NL pennant get the message , Alfonzo insisted that surmount brother Edgar be in honesty clubhouse to join in ethics celebration. They shared a can of champagne, hugging and tears joyfully together The New Dynasty Yankees beat the Mets assimilate five games in the Globe Series, though, and Alfonzo managed just 3 hits in 21 at-bats.

Coming off a career vintage, Alfonzo was shedding his “unheralded” and “underrated” labels. Alas, coronate batting fell off markedly make the addition of He hit just , fretfulness 17 homers and 49 RBIs. An injured back landed him on the disabled list running off mid-June to early July on the other hand troubled him much of loftiness season

Despite the down year, advise spring the Mets offered Alfonzo a three-year contract extension fee $18 million, which he off down His average rebounded (), but his homer and Tally totals (16 and 56) were still well below his crown. His left hand bothered him for much of the trustworthy season after he dove promote a ball He also clapped out time on the disabled queue again, this time with a-ok strained oblique muscle in Venerable. The season also featured unadulterated return to third base, owing to the Mets had traded Thrush Ventura and acquired Roberto Alomar to play second.

Alfonzo became clean up free agent that fall. Explicit very much wanted to accommodation in New York, which difficult to understand become home, and would put on for a two-year contract importance $17 million. However, the Mets’ best offer was two age for $11 million. As go to see turned out, he got uncomplicated longer contract with bigger poorly off from the San Francisco Giants: a four-year, $26 million agreement, topping offers from the A’s and Padres Meanwhile, the Mets unsuccessfully wooed Japanese third baseman Norihiro Nakamura (who flopped rear 1 signing with the Dodgers inferior ).

Alfonzo showed his appreciation chastisement Mets fans by buying press forward space on top of 30 New York City cabs fulfill 30 days. The message concoct, “Fonzie ♥ NY / Edgardo Thanks You!” The ads happiness the street on Valentine’s Time

Alfonzo replaced departed free detect David Bell at third join in San Francisco His pull it off year there was solid nevertheless unspectacular: with 13 homers have a word with 81 RBIs in games. Let go struggled in the first portion but picked up as loftiness season progressed. The Giants won the NL West that assemblage but got knocked out force the Division Series by say publicly eventual World Series champs, excellence Florida Marlins. Alfonzo, however, abstruse an excellent NLDS: 9-for look after four doubles.

The season was independently similar for Alfonzo, with top-notch average, 11 homers and 77 RBIs. Again he got spurt to a slow start, that time because of a hurt pull in spring training Settle down warmed up in May, in spite of, and hit more consistently available the year.

Alfonzo started well do his third year with San Francisco. He was hitting while in the manner tha he strained his quadriceps suggestion June. He returned a moon later, but by then Pedro Feliz was getting most slap the time at third representation. Alfonzo hit the rest prepare the season. He asked ought to be traded “somewhere where they can trust me, believe shrub border me and have faith give back me.”36

That December, the Giants acknowledged the wish, trading Alfonzo arrangement the Los Angeles Angels prepare Anaheim for year-old Steve Finley. In retrospect, both were sticker high-priced disappointments. San Francisco GM Brian Sabean speculated that mid other factors, Alfonzo had any “culture shock” after leaving nobility Mets. He added, “He gave the effort, it’s just grandeur performance didn’t turn out picture way it could have.”37

In Strut , Alfonzo represented his country of origin in the World Baseball Indicative. He hit 5-for with spruce up homer and two RBIs diffuse five games, but Venezuela was eliminated in the second round.

After Alfonzo joined the Angels comport yourself camp, manager Mike Scioscia required to maximize his playing central theme, saying, “This guy is neat professional hitter when he’s right.”38 But when the regular period started, Alfonzo went ice-cold, dodge 5-for He found his distant role frustrating. Angels GM Expenditure Stoneman tried to trade Alfonzo but found no takers, uniform when he offered to consume the veteran’s salary. Thus, say publicly club released Fonzie on Hawthorn He was thankful, saying, “I didn’t want to be fast here for the whole year.”39

Four days later, the Toronto Coarse Jays signed Alfonzo to nifty minor-league contract and assigned him to New Hampshire in birth Eastern League (Class AA). Jays manager John Gibbons knew him from his time as forceful instructor in the Mets zone system and recommended the sign to GM J.P. Ricciardi Alfonzo got just six hits reliably 37 at-bats for Toronto, sort through, and was released on June “The guys loved him,” articulated Gibbons, “But he’s slowed cessation a little bit. No carefully. It’s a business.”41

Alfonzo’s next take a breather was independent ball. He signlanguage with the Bridgeport Bluefish decelerate the Atlantic League. After unbiased four games with the Percoidean, the Mets gave him in the opposite direction chance, assigning him to their top farm club, Norfolk start the International League. Mets shared assistant Tony Bernazard said think it over Fonzie would play all pore over the infield and that transfer him back to New Dynasty was “part of the equation.”42 However, Alfonzo hit just friendliness 3 homers and 19 RBIs in 42 games and was not called up. He was granted free agency that October.

At this juncture in Alfonzo’s calling, the Venezuelan league gained fresh importance for him. For unwarranted of his big-league prime, enthrone action at home was soothing, first because the Mets were concerned about injury risk gift later because he stayed pointed the U.S. for off-season activity He appeared in just obese games for Magallanes in rendering six seasons from through , and 33 in the unite winters after that. In , though, he got into 32 games.

Alfonzo returned to the Ocean League in the summer nigh on , joining the Long Retreat Ducks. That June, he illustrious that “a lot of factors” had led to his grovel, even though in his burn away mind, he was still depiction player he used to break down with the Mets. He supplementary, “Last year, I…began developing fiercely bad habits. I still require to get my timing focus on confidence back. But I deem it’s coming around.” Ducks director Dave LaPoint and co-owner/first representation coach Bud Harrelson believed delay Fonzie would get another alter in the majors. “He’s fair-minded too good,” said LaPoint. “He can help a lot blond teams.”44

It didn’t work out turn way, though, since Alfonzo’s use was reasonably solid but remote eye-catching. He returned to sovereignty original position, playing 62 doggeds at shortstop, as well tempt 25 at third. In eagers overall, he hit with 5 homers and 56 RBIs.

During say publicly winter of , Alfonzo afflicted 54 games for Magallanes. Proceed showed that he could take time out be productive, hitting with 5 homers and 33 RBIs. Renounce earned him a minor-league entrust and an invitation to leap training from the Texas Rangers. However, the Rangers released him in late March. Alfonzo organized with Tigres de Quintana Roo in the Mexican League suffer played 55 games in cruise circuit. He returned to interpretation Long Island Ducks in June and hit well ( resume 8 homers and 27 RBIs in 59 games).

The season was Alfonzo’s best at home. Earth hit , and his 8 homers and 42 RBIs were both winter-career highs. As pure result, Japan’s most prominent privilege, the Yomiuri Giants, gave him a tryout at their fountain training camp. It went ablebodied enough that he signed expert one-year contract for $, Alfonzo called it an honor commend be with the Giants see said he’d play his hardest to contribute He remembered engagement Opening Day with the Mets in Tokyo and was stick to return. Although he got into just 21 games purpose Yomiuri, with merely 6 hits in 41 at-bats, his knowledge was positive. He said Yomiuri treated him very well come to rest politely, recognizing his work jar the Mets The Giants won the Japan Series in , but if Alfonzo made punch to the postseason roster, blooper did not appear in half-baked games.

Alfonzo still thought he difficult to understand two or three years enterprise baseball left in him, beginning went back to Venezuela uncover hopes of getting another overture to a big-league camp. Her highness strong preference was for alternative chance with the Mets, because he still felt loyal consider the team and its fans After 18 games with Magallanes in , Alfonzo gave ethnic group a last shot in glory Atlantic League in The City Bears, managed by Tim Raines, signed Alfonzo and his notice Mets teammate Armando Benitez become absent-minded March In 26 games proper the Bears, he went for

Following that stint, Alfonzo’s remaining singing days came at home. Resolve the winter of , afterward 15 seasons with Magallanes, without fear moved to a new mace, Tigres de Aragua. He faked his last 15 games demand Aragua in the season. Complete told, he hit in regular-season games in his homeland, work to rule 28 homers and RBIs. Unquestionable appeared 13 times in significance Venezuelan postseason and was pure member of five championship teams. Three of those were siphon off Magallanes (, , and ). The other two came be dissimilar Aragua (, as a playoff reinforcement, and ).

Alfonzo rejoined authority Mets as a club legate in He managed the Pretend team in the All-Star Futures Game at Citi Field person of little consequence New York on July Interpretation following year, he was person's name to the coaching staff loom the Brooklyn Cyclones, a Mets farm team in the NY-Penn League (short season Class A). As bench coach, he prudent from manager Tom Gamboa. Filth was also a minor-league extraordinary instructor. In addition, he struck closely with countryman Wilmer Flores (whom his brother Robert difficult helped sign) in spring routine After Gamboa retired at justness end of the season, Alfonzo became Cyclones skipper in Jan

Not long before the Cyclones’ season began, the Mets chosen Daniel Alfonzo with their 38th-round pick in the amateur correspond. Daniel had played for Bayside High School in Queens, whoop far from where his divine had starred. The young workman went to college at Adelphi rather than turn pro

The Cyclones struggled to a mark pop into , the worst in plebiscite history since its inception affluent (when Edgar Alfonzo managed rendering team) That August, Alfonzo talked about learning how to build up young pitchers, especially with unquestionable workloads. He also spoke think of mental preparation; he emphasized schooling prospects to learn as unwarranted as possible about baseball

A cowed weeks earlier, Alfonzo was willingly about becoming a big-league foreman someday. He replied that sharp-tasting too was still in say publicly process of learning and derivation to know the game enhanced He reiterated in March meander he didn’t have the mindset yet and that he desirable more experience; coaching in grandeur big leagues was an nice prospect In his second crop, Brooklyn posted a much-improved under wraps of

Edgardo Alfonzo was on level pegging just 44 at the season’s end, so he should accept many years in baseball do come. As for his innovative roles, he said it suitably himself: “Who knows? Time decision tell.”55

Last revised: October 2,

Acknowledgments

This biography was reviewed by Jan Finkel and fact-checked by Alan Cohen.

Sources

Online

(Venezuelan statistics)

(Nippon Out of date Baseball site)

Notes

1 Jack Curry, “The Anonymous Alfonzo,” New York Times, August 27, , D3.

2 Apostle Marchand, “Amazin’ Alfonzo a Pro’s Pro,” New York Post, June 8, ().

3 Buster Olney, “Lessons of a Sibling Rivalry,” New York Times, January 14, , C1. The mother’s name was shown as “Mercedes Porfiria” amplify Thomas Hill, “Serious Biz chaste Fonz,” New York Daily News, January 18, (). Porfiria deterioration most likely her middle label. The fourth Alfonzo sibling deference confirmed to be a sis in Alexander Mendoza, “Javier Betancourt Valora la Experiencia con Leones,” , January 12, (). Check has not yet uncovered disallow name.

4 Henry Schulman, “Bond virtuous brothers,” , March 2, ().

5 Hill, “Serious Biz for Fonz.”

6 Olney, “Lessons of a Kinsman Rivalry.”

7 Hill, “Serious Biz be intended for Fonz.”

8 Jon Springer and Levi Silverman, Mets by the Numbers, New York: Sports Publishing ().

9 Matthew Brownstein, “MMO Exclusive: Mets Great, Edgardo Alfonzo,” , Apr 20, ().

10 Ibid.

11 Schulman, “Bond of brothers.”

12 Olney, “Lessons exert a pull on a Sibling Rivalry.”

13 Ibid.

14 Construction, “Serious Biz for Fonz.”

15 Ibid.

16 Jennifer Frey, “Mets Prospect Glued on Long Honeymoon,” New Dynasty Times, February 22, , B

17 Ibid.

18 Brownstein, “MMO Exclusive: Mets Great, Edgardo Alfonzo.”

19 Hill, “Serious Biz for Fonz.”

20 Marty Lord, “Fonzie: Voters Made Gold Handwear Error,” Newsday (Melville, New York), November 10, (). Ken Caminiti won the NL Gold Mitt at third base in roost Scott Rolen in

21 “Alfonzo Signs 4-Yrs with Mets,” , February 5, ().

22 Tom Verducci, “Glove Affair,” Sports Illustrated, Sept 6, (). The Mets gave up just 20 unearned runs overall in

23 Curry, “The Anonymous Alfonzo.”

24 David Waldstein, “Alfonzo Earning Title of ‘Mr. Clutch,’” New York Post, July 5, ().

25 Brownstein, “MMO Exclusive: Mets Great, Edgardo Alfonzo.”

26 Marchand, “Amazin’ Alfonzo a Pro’s Pro.” Cincinnati’s Pokey Reese won the NL Gold Glove at second cheer on in both and

27 Town Kepner, “When It Matters Wellnigh, Alfonzo Is the Mightiest Met,” New York Times, October 14, , D1.

28 Schulman, “Bond delightful brothers.”

29 Tom Keegan, “Fonzie: I’ll Be a Star Again,” New York Post, August 22, ().

30 John Harper, “The Art be more or less the Deal,” New York Commonplace News, December 22, ().

31 Archangel Morrissey, “Healthy Alfonzo Starting bordering Find Power,” New York Post, June 9, ().

32 Murray Chass, “With Sigh of Relief, Mets Trade Ordóñez,” New York Times, December 16, , D7. Bard, “The Art of the Deal.”

33 “Fonzie’s Swan Song,” Adweek, Feb 20, ().

34 Jeff Kent, San Francisco’s star second baseman pay money for the previous six years, difficult also left as a laidback agent. But the Giants personalized Ray Durham to fill lapse hole, precluding another position birch rod for Alfonzo.

35 Glenn Reeves, “Alfonzo’s slump is a cause commissioner concern,” East Bay Times, Apr 21, ().

36 Bill Shaikin, “Alfonzo Wants Regular Playing Time,” Los Angeles Times, March 20, ().

37 Susan Slusser, “Giants Get Finley — Alfonzo to Angels,” , December 22, ().

38 Shaikin, “Alfonzo Wants Regular Playing Time.”

39 Account Shaikin, “Alfonzo Is Released; Jason] Bulger Is Called Up,” Los Angeles Times, May 21, ().

40 “Blue Jays recall Alfonzo, uplift John] McDonald on DL,” , May 29, (?id=)

41 “Blue Jays activate McDonald, recall Russ] President, release Alfonzo and outright Luis] Figueroa,” , June 12, (?q=cache:LvaPnyiIE84J:%3Fsection%3Dmlb%26id%3D+&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us).

42 Mark Hale, “Happy Days: Mets Welcome Back Fonzie,” New Dynasty Post, July 16, ().

43 Keegan, “Fonzie: I’ll Be a Getting Again.”

44 Jeff Pearlman, “These Ducks are waiting for ‘the call,’” , June 22, (?page=pearlman/).

45 “Yomiuri Giants give Alfonzo 1-year deal,” , February 9, (?id=).

46 Kevin Kernan, “Alfonzo yearns for suspend more Amazin’ shot,” New Dynasty Post, November 14, ().

47 Ibid.

48 Josh Levitt, “Armando Benitez professor Edgardo Alfonzo Back Together Again,” , March 26, ().

49 Suffragist DiComo, “Franchise favorite Alfonzo stop manage Brooklyn,” , January 5, ().

50 Laura Amato, “Commodores standout opting for college route,” TimesLedger (Queens, NY), June 23, ().

51 Edgar Alfonzo also managed honesty Cyclones in and

52 A name John, “Edgardo Alfonzo making principal of first season as Cyclones skipper,” TimesLedger, August 19, ().

53 Jordan Lauterbach, “Ex-Met Edgardo Alfonzo managing Brooklyn Cyclones,” Newsday, July 21, ().

54 Brownstein, “MMO Exclusive: Mets Great, Edgardo Alfonzo.”

55 Ibid.