Rafael Leonidas Belliard Matias (born October 24, 1961, in Pueblo Nuevo, Dominican Republic) is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He first signed up as a pro player with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 1980. After the 1990 season, Belliard was granted his free agency, and he signed up with the Atlanta Braves in 1991. That turned out to be that team's breakout National League Champion year. Belliard is best remembered in the minds of some Atlantans for his nearly impenetrable defense at shortstop, but there was also slang word "tomahawkin", and he seemingly pioneered the Tomahawk Buzzcut.

Despite playing in 17 Major League seasons, Belliard only hit for two career big league home runs. Belliard played in 100 big league games or more only four baseball seasons in his career (in 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1992). However, among Braves fans, he was a valued middle infielder with a quick glove, a good arm, and above average bunting ability at the plate. He was also known for being the smallest player in Major League baseball during his career. His cousin, Ronnie Belliard, is now a player for the Los Angeles Dodgers team.

Rafael Belliard is now the "infield coach" for the Detroit Tigers under their manager, Jim Leyland.

[edit] Trivia

Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (May 2008)

• In addition to "Raffy," Belliard was also nicknamed the "Pac-man" for his ability to gobble up ground balls.
• Rafael Belliard twice appeared in the National League Top 10 in sacrifices (in 1986 and 1992).
• Belliard was a member of the Braves team which defeated the Cleveland Indians in the 1995 World Series. During the series, he executed a perfect suicide squeeze bunt in Game One to score what proved to be the winning run. He also made a dazzling running catch of a Kenny Lofton pop foul in the ninth inning of game six.
• Belliard also played for the Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Winter Baseball League.
• Belliard was named for the Dominican dictator, Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, with whom shares the same birthday. Also Belliard was born the year of Trujillo's assassination.
• Belliard holds the Major League record for at bats between home runs. He came to the plate 1,869 times before hitting a home run on September 27, 1997. His first, and only other, Major League home run was hit on May 5, 1987.

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference