Ugueth Urbina (oo-GET oor-BE-nah), born Ugueth UrtaÃn Urbina Villarreal (February 15, 1974 in Caracas, Venezuela), was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is currently in custody facing attempted murder charges in Venezuela. Urbina played with the Montreal Expos (1995-2001), Boston Red Sox (2001-02), Texas Rangers (2003), Florida Marlins (2003), Detroit Tigers (2004-2005), and Philadelphia Phillies (2005). He bats and throws right handed.
Urbina's pitches included a moving fastball and a slider that enabled him to hold left-handed hitters in check. He also threw a changeup which tailed away from righthanders and a splitter that broke sharply.
A two-time All-Star, Urbina led the National League in saves with 41 in the 1999 season and helped the Florida Marlins win the 2003 World Series.
He started his career as a dominant closer with the Expos, then was traded to the Red Sox on July 31, 2001 for Tomo Ohka and Rich Rundles. Urbina left Boston as a free agent after the 2002 season, and signed with the Rangers for one year. He was traded on July 11, 2003 to the Marlins for Adrian Gonzalez, Will Smith and Ryan Snare. Urbina signed a two-year contract with the Tigers after 2003. On June 8, 2005, the Tigers traded Urbina with Ramon Martinez to the Philadelphia Phillies for infielder Plácido Polanco.
In 11 major league seasons, Urbina compiled a 44-49 record with 237 saves, 814 strikeouts, and a 3.45 ERA.
On November 7, 2005, Urbina was arrested by Venezuelan authorities on a charge of attempted murder.
