Rafael Betancourt

*Rafael Jose Betancourt’ was born on April 29, 1975 in Cumana, Sucre State, Venezuela. He is a right-handed relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. *Minor Leagues’ Rafael was signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in September 1993.

1997 - Michigan Battle Cats in the Midwest League 1998 - GCL Red Sox in the Gulf Coast League, then the Sarasota Red Sox in the Florida State League, then the Trenton Thunder in the Eastern League 1999 - GCL Red Sox in the Gulf Coast League, then the Sarasota Red Sox in the Florida State League, then the Trenton Thunder in the Eastern League 2000 - Trenton Thunder in the Eastern League 2003 - In the Cleveland minors: Akron Aeros in the Eastern League and then the Buffalo Bisons in the International League 2004 - Akron Aeros in the Eastern League (1 rehan assignment) 2006 - Akron Aeros in the Eastern League (1 rehan assignment)

Rafael came up through the Red Sox minors until the end of the 1999 season, when he was released, then resigned as a free agent. He did not make it to the Majors until he signed with the Cleveland Indians.

*Major Leagues’*Cleveland Indians’ Rafael signed with the Indians in January 2003.

Rafael signed a two-year extension to his contract with the Indians in January, 2008.

Personal On July 8, 2005 Rafael became the sixth Major League player to be suspended for testing positive for steroids.