Julián Javier

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Manuel Julián Javier Liranzo (born August 9, 1936 in San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic), best known as Julián Javier [hoo-LEAN hah-ve-ERR], is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and right-handed batter who played with the St. Louis Cardinals (1960-71) and Cincinnati Reds (1972). He is the father of former big-leaguer Stan Javier.

Javier was strictly a good-contact singles hitter, one who jumps on high fastballs and hits them up the middle. He was also a good hit-and-run man, and one of the best bunters in the league. A smart baserunner, he was quick enough out of the box to avoid hitting into double plays, and never hesitated to take the extra base. As a second baseman, Javier was a master at handling slow rollers, with good range to both sides, going back for pop-ups, and turning the double play fearlessly.

On July 9, 1963, Javier and teammates Bill White (1b), Dick Groat (ss) and Ken Boyer (3b), combined for an all-Cardinal starting NL All-Star infield. He played again in the 1968 All-Star game. The same year, he was considered in the MVP selection (9th).

A .333 hitter in 19 World Series games, Javier belted a three-run home run in Game Seven of the 1967 World Series, to help pitcher Bob Gibson win his third Series game against the Red Sox and bring the World Championship to the Cardinals.

In his 13-season career, Javier hit .257 with 78 home runs, 506 RBI, 722 runs, 216 doubles, 55 triples, and 135 stolen bases in 1,622 games.

Julian (called Hoolie by his teammates) was also given the nickname "The Phantom"; given to him by Tim McCarver for Julian's abilities to avoid runners sliding into second base. Julian is in the Triple-A hall of fame in Columbus, Ohio for his remarkable performance with the Columbus Jets while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates affiliates' minor league team.

He was married to Ines Negrin with whom he had 5 sons and daughters: Julieta, Julian Jose, Stanley, Viena Alexandra and Lynette. He is currently married to Yolanda Then. His oldest son is Ing.Manuel Julian Javier of Santiago, Dominican Republic. His most well-known son Stan Javier played in the major leagues for 18 years. Julian J Javier is a cardiologist in Naples, Florida.

The stadium in his hometown in San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic was named after him and is the home stadium for the Gigantes del Cibao. He was chosen the all-time second baseman for the "Aguilas Del Cibao" and his number (25) retired by them in the Dominican winter league.

He founded the Khoury League in Dominican Republic, later changing its name to Roberto Clemente League to honor the pittsburgh pirates legend. He also founded the "Summer League" a professional baseball league with four teams in the cities of Santiago, Puerto Plata, La Vega and San Francisco de Macoris that played from 1975 to 1978. Also founded, with the help of his son Stan, the Gigantes del Cibao one of the expansion team in the Dominican Winter baseball league LIDOM.

[edit] See also

• Players from Dominican Republic in MLB

[edit] External links

• Page at Baseball Library
• Statistics and analysis at Baseball Reference