What he did: When baseball's All-Star game rolls around it always brings back memories for this hard-hitting first baseman, who in 2000 when the game was played at Turner Field, started for the National League team at first base. But what made it so memorable for the "Big Cat'' was that he missed the entire 1999 season after a tumor had been found on his second lumbar vertebra in his lower back, a disorder known as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and form of lymphatic cancer. After undergoing intensive chemotherapy, Galarraga made it back the next season and won his second comeback player of the year award, hitting .302 with 28 HRs and 100 RBIs. At the All-Star Game, the fifth and what would be the last of his career, Galarraga went 1-for-2 in a 6-3 loss to the American League in a game in which teammate Chipper Jones hit a home run. He wanted to return to Atlanta in 2001 but the Braves offered a one-year deal and Galarraga wanted two and declared free agency. He had a productive 19-year career, playing for seven teams and finished with 399 homers and a .288 average in 2,257 games. He won an NL batting title in 1993, hitting .370 with the expansion Colorado Rockies. Braves fans will remember 1995 when they swept the Rockies in the divisional series but Galarraga had five hits in 18 at-bats against Braves pitching. But perhaps his most amazing stat came on June 25, 1995 when he tied a major-league record with homers in three consecutive innings against San Diego. He actually almost had a chance to hit No. 4, but was in the on-deck circle when the last out of the game was made. At the time said Padres manager Bruce Bochy, "I should walk him intentionally every time.''
Where he is now: Retired and enjoying life, Galarraga turned 53 last month and lives in a huge estate on a golf course in West Palm Beach, where he played in the minors in 1979 when he was a 17-year old out of Caracas, Venezuela. Making more than $55 million in his career, he admits his waist is even bigger these days and his hair is cropped short and has a silver look. Last year, he made an appearance in Denver to throw out the first pitch and was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. He still likes to talk about the 529-foot home run he hit in Miami off former Georgia Tech star Kevin Brown, then with the Marlins. "I say that ball was the longest ever hit in the majors,'' he said. "It was like 579 feet, but they brought it down.'' Said then Rockies first base coach Clint Hurdle, "I couldn't believe anyone could hit a ball that far.'' He has been married to Eneyda for 30 years they have three daughters; Andria, Katherine and Andrianna.
What he does: Admittedly, not much. He keeps up with his own investments, plays in celebrity golf tournaments and does a lot of traveling especially back to his home in Caracas where he remains popular.
On playing in the All-Star Game: Always a great time. That was a lot of fun and you always got the chance to see a lot of the great players. But never had much luck in them. (Actually Galarraga was a combined 1-for-8 in the five games, his NL squad losing all five.)
On playing for the Braves: Those were great years. It was very tough when I went through the cancer, but I felt good about the numbers I put up and they treated me very well. The fans were always behind me. Those teams were very good (In his two seasons in Atlanta, he hit .303 with 72 homers and 221 RBIs.)
On beating cancer: I always thought I would beat it. But it (1999) was a tough year and it came back a few years later and I had to get more treatment. I had a lot of people looking after me and I still get checked out a lot.
On never getting the chance to hit home run No. 400: I tried to come back with the Mets (2005), but realized my time had passed and it was time for a younger player to play. I actually had a pretty good spring for them. They wanted to go young. I didn't have a problem with it.''
On whether he can hit a golf ball further than a baseball: Oh, I can hit a golf ball far, but (laughing) just not as straight as a baseball.
On his many trips back to his home in Venezuela: I love that place and it means very much to me and I try to help out the people there as much as I can. There is still a lot of poverty there and its hard seeing that. But when I am there, they make me feel so special.
On being one of the coaches for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic: Now that was a good time, getting back into it. It was also awesome to get the chance to work with Miguel Cabrera (first Triple Crown winner in 45 years). He may be the best I have ever seen.
Rosenberg worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for 13 years and covered the Braves from 1991-96.
