Alberto José Callaspo Brito (, ; born April 19, 1983) is a

Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...

professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Modern professional ...

infielder who is a free agent. He has played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) for the

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The ...

, Kansas City Royals,

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team h ...

, Oakland Athletics,

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The Braves were founded in Bos ...

and

Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...

. Callaspo has primarily played third base and second base during his career.

Career

Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels

Callaspo was originally signed by the then-

Anaheim Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team h ...

in 2001, playing for the Aguilas Cibaeñas of

Dominican Summer League The Dominican Summer League (DSL) is a branch of affiliated Minor League Baseball which is played in the Dominican Republic. The league was founded in 1985. After the demise of the Venezuelan Summer League after the 2015 season, it is the only ...

. In 2002, Callaspo batted .338 with 16 doubles, 10 triples, three home runs and 60 RBI in 70 games with the rookie-level

Provo Angels Provo or Provos may refer to: In geography In the United States * Provo, Kentucky, an unincorporated community * Provo, South Dakota, an unincorporated community * Provo Township, Fall River County, South Dakota * Provo, Utah, a city ** Provo P ...

, where he was voted by Baseball America as a Pioneer League All-Star and was named to Pioneer League All-Star team. Alberto Callaspo on July 27, 2009

In 2003, Callaspo led the Midwest League with a .327 average and 38 doubles with the

Cedar Rapids Kernels The Cedar Rapids Kernels are Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They are located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and play their home games at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Kernels are owned ...

. Callaspo spent 2004 with the Double-A

Arkansas Travelers The Arkansas Travelers, also known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The Travelers are affiliated with the Seattle Mariners as members of the Texas League. History The team succeeded ...

, where he was selected for the

Texas League The Texas League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated in the South Central United States since 1902. It is classified as a Double-A league. Despite the league's name, only its five South Division teams are actually based in the ...

All-Star game. Callaspo split 2005 with the Travelers and Triple-A

Salt Lake Stingers Salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl), a chemical compound belonging to the larger class of salts; salt in the form of a natural crystalline mineral is known as rock salt or halite. Salt is present in vast quantitie ...

. He again made the Texas League All-Star Game and was named to the Texas League Post-Season All-Star Team.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On March 1, 2006, the Angels traded Callaspo to the

in exchange for pitcher

Jason Bulger Jason Patrick Bulger (born December 6, 1978) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Bulger played college baseball at Valdosta S ...

. He began 2006 with the Triple-A

Tucson Sidewinders , "(at the) base of the black ill , nicknames = "The Old Pueblo", "Optics Valley", "America's biggest small town" , image_map = , mapsize = 260px , map_caption = Interactive map ...

. He was named the Diamondbacks' Minor League Player of the Year. Callaspo was called up to the Diamondbacks. He also split the 2007 season between Arizona and Tucson.

Kansas City Royals

On December 14, 2007, the Diamondbacks traded Callaspo to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for pitcher Billy Buckner. He split the 2008 season between the big-league club and Triple-A

Omaha Royals Omaha ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County. Omaha is in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's 39th-largest c ...

. In 2009, Callaspo tied for the major league lead in errors by a second baseman, with 17, and had the lowest fielding percentage of any starting second baseman (.973).

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

On July 22, 2010, Callaspo was traded to the

in exchange for pitchers Sean O'Sullivan and

Will Smith Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor and rapper. He began his acting career starring as a fictionalized version of himself on the NBC sitcom '' The Fresh ...

On January 16, 2012, Callaspo signed a one-year deal with the Angels worth $3.15 million, thus avoiding arbitration. On February 5, 2013, the Angels finalized a two-year deal with Callaspo worth $8.975 million.

Oakland Athletics

On July 30, 2013 he was traded to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for

Grant Green Grant Green (June 6, 1935 – January 31, 1979) was an American jazz guitarist and composer. Recording prolifically for Blue Note Records as both leader and sideman, Green performed in the hard bop, soul jazz, bebop, and Latin-tinged idioms ...

Atlanta Braves

On December 9, 2014, Callaspo agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with the

Los Angeles Dodgers

On May 27, 2015, he was traded to the

(with Ian Thomas,

Eric Stults Eric William Stults (born December 9, 1979) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves in Major League Baseball, and for ...

and Juan Jaime) in exchange for

Juan Uribe Juan Cespedes Uribe Tena (born March 22, 1979) is a Dominican former professional baseball infielder. He played shortstop, third base and second base during his career in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox ...

and Chris Withrow. In 59 games for the Dodgers, he hit .262. The Dodgers designated him for assignment on August 19 and he was released on August 27.

Bridgeport Bluefish

On March 28, 2017, Callaspo signed with the

Bridgeport Bluefish The Bridgeport Bluefish were an American minor league baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The team was a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which was not affiliated with Major League Baseba ...

of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Vaqueros Unión Laguna

On May 30, 2017, Callaspo signed with the

Vaqueros Unión Laguna The ''vaquero'' (; pt, vaqueiro, , ) is a horse-mounted livestock herder of a tradition that has its roots in the Iberian Peninsula and extensively developed in Mexico from a methodology brought to Latin America from Spain. The vaquero became t ...

of the

Mexican Baseball League The Mexican League (, ) is a professional baseball league based in Mexico and the oldest running professional league in the country. The league has 18 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games each season. Five t ...

Leones de Yucatán

On March 1, 2018, Callaspo was traded to the

Leones de Yucatán The Leones de Yucatán (English: Yucatán Lions) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League. The team play its home games at Parque Kukulcán Alamo in Mérida, Yucatán. The Leones have won the Mexican League title five times in , , , ...

of the

in exchange for former MLB player Yuniesky Betancourt.

Algodoneros de Unión Laguna

On May 1, 2018, Callaspo was traded to the

Algodoneros de Unión Laguna The Algodoneros de Unión Laguna (English: Laguna Union Cotton Farmers) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Torreón, Coahuila. History Early years The team was established in 1940 under the name Algodoneros de Unió ...

of the

. He was released on June 4, 2018.

West Virginia Power/Charleston Dirty Birds

On December 7, 2020, Callaspo signed with the

Welland Jackfish The Welland Jackfish an independent, minor league baseball team based in Welland, Ontario, Canada. The Jackfish are a member of the Intercounty Baseball League, an independent baseball league established in 1919 which is not affiliated with Major ...

of the

Intercounty Baseball League The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) is a Canadian amateur baseball league, comprising teams of college players and former professionals from North America and beyond. The teams are located in Southern Ontario. The league was formed in 1919 and ...

(IBL). Before the start of the season, on May 28, 2021, Callaspo signed with the West Virginia Power of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Callaspo slashed .335/.469/.461 with 6 home runs and 57 RBI in 99 games for the Power. He became a free agent following the season. On March 4, 2022, Callaspo re-signed with the team, now named the Charleston Dirty Birds. He was released by the team on May 19, 2022.

Personal life

Callaspo was arrested at his home on May 10, 2007, by

Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore * Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: Mythology Greek mythological figures * Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...

police for domestic violence, but the charges against him were later dropped. He was placed on the restricted list without pay the day after the arrest, but the

Major League Baseball Players Association The Major League Baseball Players Association (or MLBPA) is the union representing all current Major League Baseball players. All players, managers, coaches, and athletic trainers who hold or have held a signed contract with a Major League cl ...

filed a grievance on his behalf and he was reinstated within a week. In 2011, Mariangely Santana Pérez sued Callaspo, claiming he was the father of her son. The Orange County Superior Court later determined that Callaspo was not the biological father.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Callaspo, Alberto 1983 births Living people Águilas del Zulia players Algodoneros de Unión Laguna players Arizona Diamondbacks players Arkansas Travelers players Atlanta Braves players Bridgeport Bluefish players Caribes de Oriente players Cedar Rapids Kernels players Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino players Kansas City Royals players Los Angeles Angels players Los Angeles Dodgers players Major League Baseball players from Venezuela Major League Baseball second basemen Major League Baseball third basemen Mexican League baseball second basemen Mexican League baseball third basemen Navegantes del Magallanes players Oakland Athletics players Omaha Royals players Sportspeople from Maracay Provo Angels players Salt Lake Stingers players Stockton Ports players Tigres de Aragua players Tucson Sidewinders players Vaqueros Unión Laguna players Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in Mexico Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the United States West Virginia Power players Expatriate baseball players in Colombia Venezuelan expatriate sportspeople in Colombia

Career

Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels

Arizona Diamondbacks

Kansas City Royals

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Oakland Athletics

Atlanta Braves

Los Angeles Dodgers

Bridgeport Bluefish

Vaqueros Unión Laguna

Leones de Yucatán

Algodoneros de Unión Laguna

West Virginia Power/Charleston Dirty Birds

Personal life

See also

References

External links