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Rafael Furcal
Time with Dodgers: 2006-2011
Stats: .283/.351/.406/.757, 44 HR, 228 RBI, 711 H, 122 2B, 27 3B, 109 SB, 100 OPS+,
Baseball Reference WAR: 15.7
FanGraphs WAR: 13.9
Combined WAR: 14.8
After spending the first six seasons of his career with the Atlanta Braves, Rafael Furcal signed with the Dodgers in December of 2005.
He had one of the greatest debut seasons in Dodgers history, as he hit .300 with 15 home runs, 32 doubles and 37 stolen bases. He also finished just four hits shy of 200. How impressive was his season? Well, he became one of two players in Dodgers history to finish a season with at least 196 hits, 37 stolen bases and 15 home runs. The other? Jackie Robinson in 1949.
Furcal finished 14th in NL MVP voting that season.
His numbers took a bit of a hit the following year, but he was still productive. He hit .270, finishing with more than 150 hits and 25 stolen bases.
Nearly all of 2008 was lost due to a back injury. He only played in 36 games, however, it was arguably the best 36-game stretch of his entire career. He slashed .357/.439/.573/1.012 with five homers and 16 RBI. For reference, he hit five homers in 36 games, whereas he hit only six in 138 games the season prior.
He was really good over the next two seasons, even being named an All-Star in 2010. From 2009 through 2010, Furcal hit .281. He had 280 hits, including 51 doubles and 17 home runs. He stole 34 bases.
Furcal only appeared in 37 games with Los Angeles in 2011. He struggled, hitting only .197 with one home run. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline.
Here’s where Furcal ranks among shortstops in Dodgers history:
- 44 home runs (4th)
- 617 games (7th)
- 407 runs (6th)
- 711 hits (5th)
- 122 doubles (5th)
- 228 RBI (9th)
- 109 stolen bases (9th)