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No one connected with the White Sox will ever forget Alvarez' debut on August 11, 1991. Acquired from the Rangers two years before, Alvarez provided one of the biggest highlights in the Chicago season by pitching a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles at Memorial StadiumMemorial Stadium Location Baltimore, Maryland Opened 1950 Last major league game September 30, 1991 Capacity 54,000 Owned By City of Baltimore Architect: L. Kooken Company Dimensions: Left Left-Center Center Right-Center Right 309 ft. 1954), 447 ft. 1955), only his second major league start. It was quite a contrast from his debut for Texas in which he faced five batters and gave up two base on ballsIn baseball statistics, a base on balls BB , also called a walk is used in baseball to track the performance of pitchers and batters. If a batter receives four pitches which the umpire calls balls, he is entitled to "walk" to first base. Receiving a base, a single and two home runIn baseball, a home run is a base hit in which the batter is able to circle all the bases, ending at home plate and scoring a run, with no errors on the play that result in the batter achieving extra bases. Home runs are among the most popular aspects ofs without retiring a man.
Alvarez had control problems in the minors, and it carried over to the big leagues. After shouldering a very heavy workload in 1991, the prized prospect was kept under scrutiny for most of the 1992See also 1991 in sports, other events of 1992, 1993 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'. Auto Racing Stock car racing: Davey Allison won the Daytona 500 NASCAR Championship Alan Kulwicki CART Racing season championship won by Bobby Rahal Indianapo season. Between the majors, minors and winter league action, Alvarez worked close to 300 innings in '91; a significant number for anyone, but especially for a 21-years old pitcher. But it wasn't until 1993See also 1992 in sports, other events of 1993, 1994 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'. Auto Racing Stock car racing: Dale Jarrett won the Daytona 500 NASCAR Championship Dale Earnhardt Two top NASCAR drivers Alan Kulwicki, the 1992 series champi that he managed to break into the rotation permanently. That season, Alvarez won 15 games but led the league with 122 walks.
In 1994See also 1993 in sports, other events of 1994, 1995 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'. Auto Racing Stock car racing: Sterling Marlin won the Daytona 500 NASCAR Championship Dale Earnhardt CART Racing season championship won by Al Unser, Jr India Alvarez went 12-8 and made the American LeagueThe American League (or formally the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States of America and Canada. It developed from a minor league, the Western League, that aspired to All-Star team. After a disappointing 8-11 in 1995, he had 15 wins and 181 strikeouts in 1996. He was sent to the Giants in 1997 as part of a 10-players mega-deal. A free agent after the season, he signed a five-year contract with Tampa Bay.
The inconsistency and poor conditioning continually kept the talented lefty from realizing his notorious potential. In his first season with the Devil Rays, Alvarez missed two months with tendinitis in his shoulder while losing 14 games. The following year he made two trips to the disabled list. Finally, he got arthroscopic shoulder surgery and missed the next two seasons. After finishing his contract with Tampa Bay, Alvarez signed with the Dodgers. He began the 2003 season as a starter for the Triple-A Las Vegas. After going 5-1 with a 1.15 ERA, he filled the long relief role for the Dodgers at the mid-season. Later he got a chance to start, collecting 5-0 and 1.06 over a stretch of nine games. In 2004 he went 7-6 in 40 games (15 as a starter).
Alvarez has compiled a career 101-88 record with 1281 strikeouts and a 3.94 ERA in 1723.2 innings.
At 34 Alvarez remains dominating, though his fastball hasn't returned to its previous 93-95 MPH range, he is not afraid to come inside with it. He has two other pitches, both of which have good downward movement. He gets righthanders out with a turnover changeup and gets the lefties with an excellent curveball. Control and command will dictate his role in the future.
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