José Rafael Valverde (born July 24, 1979 in San
Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic) is a pitcher
in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros. His
nickname is Papa Grande or Big Papa.
He throws both 2 and 4 seam fastballs, splitter, and
a slider.
Valverde made his Major League Baseball debut in
2003 to help out the injury plagued Diamondbacks,
joining Brandon Webb and Andrew Good after injuries
to Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling left the team
out of contention.
Although he had been the Diamondbacks' closer since
replacing Brian Bruney in 2005, trouble on the mound
in the month of June 2006 forced management to give
the role to Jorge Julio. Valverde regained the role
after spending some time with the Diamondbacks' AAA
affiliate, the Tucson Sidewinders. He returned to
the closer role in early September (as Julio became
too inconsistent) and pitched well in his return.
Valverde finished the 2006 season with a record of 2
wins, 3 losses, an ERA of 5.84 and 18 saves.
On June 23, 2007, Valverde passed Matt Mantei as the
Diamondbacks all-time saves leader, with his 75th, a
perfect ninth against the Baltimore Orioles.
Valverde made the 2007 MLB All-Star Game as a closer
for Arizona.
Until he was traded during the 2007 offseason,
Valverde was the Diamondbacks' closer, and led all
of Major League Baseball in Saves (47 of 54) during
the 2007 Regular Season. He has never started a
professional game.
When José enters into the game, the song "Big Poppa"
by Notorious B.I.G. is played. Because many children
and youth attend his games the words are not played.
On September 25, 2007, Valverde was named as one of
10 finalist for the "DHL Presents the Major League
Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award."
On December 14, 2007, Valverde was traded to the
Houston Astros for pitchers Chad Qualls and Juan
Gutiérrez and IF/OF Chris Burke.
