Rubén Sierra

Ruben Angel Sierra Garcia
(El Caballo)

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 200 lb.
• High School Liceo Castro
• Debut June 1, 1986
• Final Game July 9, 2006
• Born October 6, 1965 in Rio Piedras, P.R.

BR page

Biographical Information

Ruben Sierra played 20 years in the major leagues, hitting more than 300 home runs.

Sierra was signed as a free agent by the Texas Rangers and scout Orlando Gomez on November 21, 1982. He first broke into the majors with the Rangers in 1986 at age 20, playing outfield alongside Oddibe McDowell and Pete Incaviglia. After 6 3/4 seasons with the Rangers and parts of four seasons with the Oakland Athletics, he became a journeyman for the second half of his career, making ten stops. A four-time All-Star, his best year was 1989 when he was second in the MVP voting, and led the American League in slugging, total bases, triples and RBI.

Rubén played for the Santurce Crabbers of the Puerto Rican Winter Baseball League.

The most similar player through 2007, according to the similarity scores method, is his contemporary Joe Carter. Both players have lifetime Adjusted OPS+ scores of 105 although Carter has more homers and RBI.

Outside of baseball he owns show horses and has recorded 3 CD's.

Sierra's son Rubén Sierra Jr. signed with the Rangers as a 6th round pick in the 2009 amateur draft. Sierra was eligible for election to the Hall of Fame in 2012, but did not receive a single vote.

Notable Achievements

• 4-time AL All-Star (1989, 1991, 1992 & 1994)
• AL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1989)
• AL Comeback Player of the Year Award (2001)
• AL Slugging Percentage Leader (1989)
• AL At-Bats Leader (1987)
• AL Total Bases Leader (1989)
• AL Triples Leader (1989)
• AL RBI Leader (1989)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 7 (1987-1989, 1991, 1993, 1994 & 2001)
• 30-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1987)
• 100 RBI Seasons: 4 (1987, 1989, 1991 & 1993)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1989 & 1991)
• 200 Hits Seasons: 1 (1991)

Further Reading

• Will Leitch: "Ruben Sierra's remarkable rise, fall and rise", mlb.com, April 12, 2020. [1]