Luis Alicea, a Puerto Rican infielder, spent his Major League Baseball career primarily as a second baseman. Born on July 29, 1965, in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Alicea attended Florida State University, where he honed his skills on the baseball diamond. His talent caught the attention of the St. Louis Cardinals, who selected him in the first round of the 1986 MLB Draft.
Alicea made his MLB debut with the Cardinals on April 23, 1988. In his rookie season, he demonstrated his potential by hitting .212 with 3 home runs and 24 RBIs over 93 games. Despite a promising start, Alicea spent the next few years moving between the majors and minors, refining his abilities and gaining valuable experience.
In 1991, Alicea returned to the Cardinals' roster, playing in 143 games and achieving a .191 batting average. His defensive skills were more consistent, and he became known for his reliable glove work at second base. Over the next few seasons, Alicea's performance at the plate improved, and he became a more regular fixture in the Cardinals' lineup.
Alicea's journey continued as he joined the Boston Red Sox in 1995. During his time with the Red Sox, he posted a .270 batting average in 1995 and a career-high .294 in 1996. His tenure in Boston was marked by steady offensive contributions and solid defense, which helped him secure a regular spot in the lineup.
In 1998, Alicea signed with the Anaheim Angels, where he played for two seasons. His time with the Angels was characterized by consistent play, both offensively and defensively. He maintained a batting average around the .250 mark and continued to be a dependable presence on the field.
Alicea's career took another turn when he joined the Texas Rangers in 2000. Over two seasons with the Rangers, he played in 196 games, contributing with his bat and glove. His experience and leadership were valuable assets to the team, and he provided depth to the Rangers' infield.
In 2002, Alicea returned to the Kansas City Royals, a team he had briefly played for in 1998. This marked the final chapter of his MLB playing career. During his time with the Royals, Alicea continued to demonstrate his skills as a seasoned infielder, playing in 66 games and maintaining a .228 batting average.
Throughout his career, Luis Alicea was known for his defensive reliability and steady presence on the field.
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