THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL November 16: Andres Galarraga signs with the Rockies, rejuvenates career

After a second injury-shortened season in a row sapped Andres Galarraga of his power, the free agent joined the Colorado Rockies on this day in béisbol, November 16, 1992 — and then wound up winning the 1993 NL batting title.

After seven solid years with the Montreal Expos, the popular Venezuelan first baseman was traded to the Cardinals before the 1992 season but missed nearly 70 games due to a hit-by-pitch wrist injury after just three games with his new team. He hit only 10 home runs with a .243 average.

But Galarraga, a three-time Gold Glove winner nicknamed “The Big Cat” for  his agility, bounced back with a big year in ’93. He led the Majors with a .370 average and belting 22 homers with 98 RBI.

Playing in the thin mountain air proved to be a healthy move for Galarraga’s career, whose 162-game average during five years in Colorado was 41 homers and 138 RBI.

Also on the day: Pedro Martinez won the second of his three career Cy Young Awards in 1999. The Red Sox ace had the pitching Triple Crown, leading the AL with 23 wins, a 2.07 ERA and 313 strikeouts.

In 2015, 20-year-old Astros shortstop Carlos Correa won Rookie of the  Year. The Ponce, Puerto Rico native hit 22 homers with 68 RBI, helping lead Houston to its first postseason appearance in 10 years.

In the only winning season of his career, Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins won the 2022 NL Cy Young award after going 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA and an unheard of 6 complete games.