After spending the 2019 season as a key piece on the Washington Nationals team that shocked the baseball world by making a surprise run to win the World Series, Gerardo Parra has picked a new destination in a new country.
Parra, the long-time MLB outfielder, revealed on Wednesday that he is set to make a move to Japan, where he will sign a contract to play for Nippon Professional Baseball’s Yomiuri Giants.
The Venezuelan outfielder made his MLB debut ten years ago with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 32-year-old has put together a strong reputation on the base paths and in the field, having won two Gold Glove Awards.
Parra became a fan favorite with the Nationals in 2019 after signing with the team in May. Despite normally starting on the bench, he contributed a .250 batting average with 8 home runs and 42 RBI, contributing lots of big hits.
“Baby Shark,” his infamous walk-up song, became the Nationals’ theme song during its incredible late-season run. He chose the song to help him get out of an early-season slump that saw him get released from the Giants.
All good things come to an end, however, as Parra will now move on to the world’s second-biggest baseball league.
