Edwin Encarnación, a Dominican-born professional baseball player, became known for his powerful hitting and consistent performance as a designated hitter and first baseman. He began his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Cincinnati Reds, who acquired him in a trade with the Texas Rangers in 2001. Encarnación made his MLB debut with the Reds in 2005, quickly establishing himself as a reliable player with a strong batting presence.
During his time with the Reds, Encarnación showed potential as a power hitter, but it wasn't until his trade to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2009 that his career truly began to flourish. In Toronto, he developed into one of the league's most feared sluggers. His breakout season came in 2012 when he hit 42 home runs and drove in 110 runs, earning him his first All-Star selection. Encarnación's ability to hit home runs and drive in runs made him a central figure in the Blue Jays' lineup.
Encarnación continued to deliver impressive performances for the Blue Jays over the next several seasons. In 2013, he hit 36 home runs, followed by 34 in 2014. His consistent power at the plate helped lead the Blue Jays to the postseason in 2015 and 2016. One of his most memorable moments came during the 2016 American League Wild Card Game when he hit a walk-off three-run home run in extra innings to secure a victory for Toronto over the Baltimore Orioles.
After the 2016 season, Encarnación entered free agency and signed with the Cleveland Indians. He continued to be a productive hitter, contributing to the Indians' lineup with his power and experience. In 2017, he hit 38 home runs and drove in 107 runs, helping the Indians reach the postseason once again.
Encarnación's journey in MLB saw him play for several teams in the latter part of his career. In 2018, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners, and later that year, he was traded again to the New York Yankees. Despite changing teams, Encarnación maintained his reputation as a power hitter, hitting 34 home runs in 2019.
In 2020, Encarnación signed with the Chicago White Sox. However, the season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and his performance did not reach the heights of previous years. Following the 2020 season, Encarnación became a free agent and did not sign with another team.
Throughout his career, Edwin Encarnación was known for his signature "parrot walk" home run trot, where he would round the bases with his right arm extended as if holding a parrot.
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