Topic: Javier Vazquez

Javier 'The Ponce from Ponce' Carlos Vázquez (born July 25, 1976) is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who currently plays for the Florida Marlins. Previously, he pitched for the Atlanta Braves (2009), Chicago White Sox (2006-2008), Arizona Diamondbacks (2005), New York Yankees (2004, 2010) and Montreal Expos (1998-2003). Vázquez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He is the active career leader in strikeouts.

Vázquez is married to Kamille Vázquez. They have three children: Kamila, Javier Josué, and Kariana. Vázquez claims that he dislikes being the center of attention outside of the playing field and describes himself as a 'house man' spending his free time with his children. Vázquez is also interested in art pieces especially the ones that are produced by Puerto Rican artists and he possesses paintings by Wichie Torres and Iván Rosario. He is a wine aficionado and is educating himself about the different classes of wine in order to begin a private collection. Vázquez has also expressed that he has always been interested in charity work, this interest was fueled by his parents as he states that a Christian upbringing and their support when he began practicing sports were part of this influence.

In 1994, Vázquez began his professional career with the Montreal Expos's Rookie ball club in West Palm Beach, Florida, the GCL Expos. He struck out 56, walking 15, in a team leading 67 innings pitched. In 1995 he was promoted to the class A Albany Polecats where in 102 innings he struck out 87 but also walking 47. In 1996 with class A Delmarva Shorebirds he pitched 164.1 with a team leading 173 strikeouts and 57 walks. The following year he started with high A ball, West Palm Beach Expos, striking out 100 and walking 28 in 112 innings, before moving up to Class AA Harrisburg Senators where he struck out 47 and walked 12 in 42 innings.