The slick-fielding Dominican shortstop was stuck behind Ozzie Smith in the Cardinal system when he decided to change his name, saying that there were too many other Gonzalezes. Traded to the Giants for 1985 in the Jack Clark deal, he immediately became their regular shortstop. He hit a career-high .291 in 1987 after spending the winter practicing hitting by having his brother pitch peanuts to him. However,
a nagging hamstring problem put him on the DL three times before the All-Star break.
In 1989, Uribe led all National League shortstops in double plays with 85, and ranked second in assists (437) and total chances. However, his bat left him that year, as he batted a mere .221 in 151 games. After another lackluster campaign in 1990, Uribe was demoted to part-time duty.
(SFS/GL)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»February 1, 1985: In an effort to add some much-needed power to their lineup, St. Louis trades OF-1B David Green, SS Jose Gonzales, P Dave LaPoint, and OF-1B Gary Rajsich to the Giants for slugging 1B Jack Clark. Gonzales will change his name to his mother's maiden name of Uribe, and win the starting shortstop job with the Giants. Giants coach and resident wit Rocky Bridges will note that Jose Uribe really is, "the player to be named later."
»July 19, 1988: In the top of the 9th at Wrigley Field, Cubs pitcher Rick Sutcliffe picks Brett Butler off 1B unassisted. With Jose Uribe at 2B, Butler wanders too far off the bag and the Cubs pitcher nabs him for the out. But Sutcliffe loses, 3–1, to Rick Reuschel.
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