![]() Sandoval began his professional career as a catcher in 2004 with the rookie AZL Giants, hitting. After two weeks, Ciro Villalobos, a scout for the San Francisco Giants, offered Sandoval a contract, and he signed. A scout for the Texas Rangers told Sandoval he would come to Venezuela to sign him, but he did not show up. Sandoval received notice from scouts in 2002, when he went to the Dominican Republic for a scouting tournament. He can still throw with both hands, but throws right-handed during games. Thus, at nine, he taught himself to throw right-handed as well. He was born left-handed but wanted to be able to play shortstop like Vizquel. His favorite players were Omar Vizquel (later his teammate on the Giants) and Andrés Galarraga. He practiced baseball in an empty two-car garage with his older brother, Michael. Sandoval was born to Pablo, Sr., and Amelia Sandoval on August 11, 1986, in Puerto Cabello, Carabobo, Venezuela. In 2013, he appeared in 141 games, batting. For his contributions, Sandoval was named the World Series Most Valuable Player as the Giants swept the Detroit Tigers. Then, in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series, he joined Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson, and Albert Pujols as the only players to hit three home runs in a World Series Game. Injuries limited him to 108 games in 2012, but he was selected to his second-straight All-Star Game. However, Sandoval struggled in 2010 and was benched during the playoffs for the 2010 World Series, which the Giants won. 330 with 25 home runs and 90 runs batted in (RBI) in his first full season in the majors. In 2009, Sandoval finished second in All-Star Final Vote balloting, batting. Capable of playing first base, third base, and catcher, Sandoval became the Giants' starting third baseman in 2009, ceasing to catch that year and playing first base only occasionally. He worked his way through the minor leagues and debuted with the Giants in 2008, batting. In 2002, Sandoval was signed by the San Francisco Giants. He grew up an avid baseball fan, playing the game with his older brother and following the careers of Omar Vizquel and Andrés Galarraga. Sandoval is a 5 foot 11 inch (1.80 m), 240-pound (109 kg) switch hitter. During the offseason, he plays for the Navegantes del Magallanes of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Sandoval hit three home runs in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series, becoming just the fourth person to hit three home runs in a World Series game, and was named the World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP). Nicknamed " Kung Fu Panda" (or simply " The Panda"), Sandoval is a two-time All-Star and has won three World Series championships with the Giants. Pablo Emilio Juan Pedro Sandoval, Jr., (born August 11, 1986) is a Venezuelan professional baseball third baseman. ![]() Sandoval playing for the San Francisco Giants
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