Ambiorix Burgos
Free Agent — No. --
Relief pitcher
Born: April 19, 1984 (1984-04-19) (age 25) Nagua, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 23, 2005 for the Kansas City Royals
Career statistics (through 2008 season)
Win-Loss	8-10
Earned run average	4.60
Strikeouts	156
Teams
Kansas City Royals (2005-2006) New York Mets (2007)

Ambiorix Burgos (born April 19, 1984 in Nagua, Dominican Republic) is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. On March 12, 2009, he was convicted for the September 2008 assault of his girlfriend.

In 2005, Burgos made his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals and appeared in 59 games as a relief pitcher. Despite pitching only 60 innings, he managed to be 10th in the league in wild pitches. In 2005, Burgos had the highest average fastball velocity of American League relievers, at 96.5 mph, and posted an ERA of 3.90.

In 2006, Burgos started the season as the Royals' closer. However, the season was a disappointment as he finished with a 4-5 record and 5.52 ERA in 73 1/3 innings pitched. He had 18 saves, but also blew 12 saves and lost the closer's job midway through the season.

On December 5, 2006, Burgos was traded by the Royals to the New York Mets for starting pitcher Brian Bannister.

In 2007, Burgos began the season on the Mets 25-man roster, but was sent to Triple-A soon thereafter. According to an Associated Press report on August 28, 2007, general manager Omar Minaya indicated that Burgos underwent Tommy John surgery and would be out for a prolonged period. On August 6, 2008, Burgos pitched to nine batters in his first minor league rehab game.

On September 9, 2008, Burgos was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend. Prosecutors say he repeatedly punched her on the back, bit her and slapped her.^[1] On March 12, 2009, a jury convicted Burgos for the assault. Sentencing was scheduled for April 3.^[2]

On October 1, 2008, Burgos was indicted on charges of hit and run in his native Dominican Republic. Sources say that Burgos struck two women in his SUV and drove off. The women later died of their injuries.^[3] Burgos turned himself in to authorities on October 7. ^[4]

On December 12, 2008, the New York Mets did not offer Burgos a new contract and he became a free agent.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube

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