Mario Valdez
Quick Facts
Biography
Mario Ayelar Valdez (born November 19, 1974 in Obregón, Mexico) is a retired Major League Baseball first baseman. He played during three seasons at the major league level for the Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics. He also played one season in Japan for the Kintetsu Buffaloes in 2004.
Valdez was drafted by the White Sox in the 48th round of the 1993 amateur draft. Valdez played his first professional season with their Class A (Short Season) Utica Blue Sox in 1986, and his last season with the independent Pensacola Central of the Central League, in 2004. His last affiliated season was in 2003, when he played for the San Diego Padres' Triple-A unit, the Portland Beavers.
As of 2014, Valdez is the last left-handed player to play third base in a big league game. He played third base for the White Sox in the ninth inning on July 2, 1997.
Play with Mexican team Tomateros de Culiacan in winter games Liga Mexicana del Pacifico. Debut in 1995, team who won the championship the same year, also 1996-1997, 2001-2002, 2003–2004 and Caribbean Series in 1996-2002.