César Izturis, a Venezuelan-born infielder, made his Major League Baseball debut with the Toronto Blue Jays. Known for his defensive prowess, Izturis quickly established himself as a reliable shortstop. His journey in the major leagues began when he was signed by the Blue Jays as an amateur free agent in 1996. After honing his skills in the minor leagues, he finally got his chance to play in the majors in 2001.
Following his stint with the Blue Jays, Izturis was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002. It was with the Dodgers that he truly began to shine defensively. In 2004, he earned a Gold Glove Award, recognizing him as one of the best defensive players in the league. That season, he also achieved career highs in several offensive categories, including batting average and hits, which helped him secure a spot in the 2005 MLB All-Star Game.
Izturis's time with the Dodgers came to an end in 2006 when he was traded to the Chicago Cubs. His tenure with the Cubs was relatively short, and he was subsequently traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates later that year. In 2007, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he continued to be valued for his defensive skills.
In 2008, Izturis joined the Baltimore Orioles, where he spent two seasons as their primary shortstop. His defensive abilities remained his standout attribute, and he provided stability to the Orioles' infield. After his time in Baltimore, Izturis signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011. His role with the Brewers was more limited, but he continued to contribute as a utility infielder.
Izturis's career continued with brief stints with the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds. Throughout his career, he was known for his exceptional fielding abilities, quick reflexes, and strong arm. While his offensive numbers were modest, his defensive contributions were highly valued by the teams he played for.
César Izturis retired from professional baseball after the 2013 season.
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