Yuli Gurriel is a talented Cuban professional baseball player who made her mark in Major League Baseball. The star plays a dual role as first and third baseman for the Astros in the league. Yuli was previously associated with the Sancti Spiritus team in the Cuban professional baseball league. Interestingly, Yuli Gurriel is a versatile player and has played in various positions at second and third base, as well as in the set position. He helped the Astros win the 2017 World Series Championship. Read some interesting facts about Yuli below.
the biography
Born Yulieski Gourriel Castello on the 9th day of June 1984 in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, the player’s parents are of Cuban descent. Like every young boy whose father is an athlete, Yuli was inspired by his father, Lourdes Gourriel, a former professional baseball player for the Cuban national team. Lourdes won several awards during her years of active career, including an Olympic gold medal. While growing up, Yuli participated in several youth baseball programs held in Cuba.
Starting her career in 2004, Yuli Gurriela ended her career with the teams of Sancti Spiritus and industrial teams of the Cuban League. He led the Cuban league in scoring and ran in the 2004/05 season. The following season, he led the league in triples, as well as in runs and RBIs. The rising star also played for the Cuban national team; he led the team to win the gold medal at the Summer Olympics in 2004. After that, he continued to improve his game, leading the national team to the World Baseball Classic held in 2006. Although his team did not win the championship, he was able to finish the championship with a .515 slugging percentage and a .273 save percentage.
Furthermore, Yuli also led the national team to the Olympics held in 2008, as well as the World Classics Championship in 2009. In 2014, he signed a one-year contract with Japenes League side Yokohama DeNA BayStars. There he finished 2014/15 before joining the American League.
Yuli Gurriel’s MLB Career
After the conclusion of the Caribbean Baseball Championship held in the Dominican Republic in February 2016, MLB certified Gurriel as signed to the league as a free agent. In July, the player was signed by the Houston Astros of MLB in a five-year contract worth 47.5 million euros.
Joining the American Baseball League, Yuli made his first professional appearance in the Rookie Level Gulf Coast league while playing for the Gulf Coast Astros. After two games he was sent to the Lancash JetHawks of the California League and after four games. he was elevated to the Texas League where he appeared in five games with the Corpus Christi Hooks. He also spent time with the Fresno Grizzlies baseball team before returning to the pro league.
In 2017, the Cuban star helped the Astros team win the World Series championship, while beating the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 5-1 record.
Why was he suspended?
The Astros star was suspended for his misconduct during their World Series competition in 2017. Yuli was suspended following an inappropriate hand gesture against Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish. His action was seen as a racist gesture, which raised several eyebrows in the league. After the game, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred revealed the player would be penalized.
The commissioner added that the Cuban government’s player will serve a five-match ban during the 2018 regular season and will not be paid during the suspension period. Yuli, meanwhile, missed the Astros’ first five games of the 2018 season and apologized for his behavior while now pledging good league conduct. He also agreed to sign up for off-season awareness training.
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Yuli Gurriel’s Family – Brother and Wife
Yuli comes from a baseball-loving nation and her family is no exception. Her father is a former baseball player and Olympic medalist, while her younger brother, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., is also making waves. Both brothers played professionally for Sancti Spiritu in the Cuban league before moving to the American Baseball League. Becoming an international free agent in 2016, Lourdes Jr signed to the Toronto Blue Jays on a seven-year career contract. The contract is worth $22 million and he has been a great addition to the Blue Jays team thus far.
In addition to his thriving baseball career, Yuli Gurriel also has an interesting love life, but remains very secretive when it comes to his wife and children. The baseball star is married to a beautiful Cuban lady. However, nothing is known of their relationship, including the name of his wife. They both have a son, Jayden, born in July 2018.
