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

Venezuela Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many Federal Dependencies of Venezuela, islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea. It com ...

n former professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

infielder An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field, between first base and third base. Standard arrangement of positions In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns pla ...

. He played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division. The franchise was established ...

Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...

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

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...

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 (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...

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 (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...

. Callaspo has primarily played

third base A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the scoring system us ...

and

second base In baseball and softball, second baseman, abbreviated 2B, is a fielding position in the infield, between second and first base. The second baseman often possesses quick hands and feet, needs the ability to get rid of the ball quickly, and must ...

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 Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West Division. Since 1966, the team has pl ...

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, where he was voted by

Baseball America ''Baseball America'' (BA) is a sports publication company that covers baseball at every level, including Major League Baseball (MLB), with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) college, high school, and inte ...

as a Pioneer League All-Star and was named to Pioneer League All-Star team. In 2003, Callaspo led the

Midwest League The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league established in 1947 and based in the Midwestern United States. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganizat ...

with a .327 average and 38 doubles with the

Cedar Rapids Kernels The Cedar Rapids Kernels are a 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 (Cedar Rapids), Veter ...

. Callaspo spent 2004 with the Double-A

Arkansas Travelers The Arkansas Travelers, known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The Travelers are the Double-A (baseball), Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners and play in the Texas League. Hi ...

, 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 In common usage, salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl). When used in food, especially in granulated form, it is more formally called table salt. In the form of a natural crystalline mineral, salt is also known as ro ...

. 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. He began 2006 with the Triple-A

Tucson Sidewinders Tucson (; ; ) is a city in Pima County, Arizona, United States, and its county seat. It is the second-most populous city in Arizona, behind Phoenix, with a population of 542,630 in the 2020 United States census. The Tucson metropolitan s ...

. 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

in exchange for pitcher

Billy Buckner William Jennings Buckner (born August 27, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and San Diego Padres ...

. He split the 2008 season between the big-league club and Triple-A

Omaha Royals Omaha ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is located in the Midwestern United States along the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's 41st-most-populous city, Omaha had a popu ...

. 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) is an American actor, rapper, and film producer. Known for his work in both Will Smith filmography, the screen and Will Smith discography, music industries, List of awards and nominations re ...

. 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

in exchange for

Grant Green Grant Green (June 6, 1935 – January 31, 1979) was an American jazz guitarist and composer. Green has been called one of the "most sampled guitarists." Biography Grant Green was born on June 6, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, to John and ...

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 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 Baseb ...

of the

Atlantic League of Professional Baseball The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) is a professional independent baseball league in the United States. It is an official MLB Partner League based in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, and the headquarters are l ...

. In 34 games he hit .344/.417/.516 with 4 home runs and 15 RBIs.

Vaqueros Unión Laguna

On May 30, 2017, Callaspo signed with the Vaqueros Unión Laguna of the

Mexican Baseball League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...

. In 58 games he hit .301/.365/.379 with 3 home runs, 33 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

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 plays its home games at Parque Kukulcán Alamo in Mérida, Yucatán. The Leones have won the Mexican League title five times in 1957 ...

of the

in exchange for former MLB player Yuniesky Betancourt. In 31 games he hit .290/.362/.333 with 0 home runs, 12 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

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 Cottoneers) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League (LMB). Based in Torreón, Coahuila, they play in the North Division of LMB. History Early years The team was established ...

of the

. He was released on June 4, 2018. In 23 games he hit .258/.330/.366 with 1 home run and 13 RBIs.

West Virginia Power/Charleston Dirty Birds

On December 7, 2020, Callaspo signed with the

Welland Jackfish The Welland Jackfish are 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 Ma ...

of the

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

(IBL). Before the start of the season, on May 28, 2021, Callaspo signed with the

West Virginia Power The Charleston Dirty Birds are an United States, American professional baseball team based in Charleston, West Virginia. They are a member of the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a MLB Partner League, partner league ...

of the

. 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 after 3 games going 5-8 (.625) with 1 home run and 5 RBIs.

Personal life

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

domestic violence Domestic violence is violence that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes r ...

, 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 (MLBPA) is the labor union representing all current Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) players. All players, managers, coaches, and athletic trainers who hold or have held ...

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 Charleston Dirty Birds players Inland Empire 66ers players Kansas City Royals players Los Angeles Angels players Los Angeles Dodgers players Major League Baseball players from Venezuela 21st-century Venezuelan sportsmen 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 Baseball players 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 Venezuelan expatriate baseball players 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