Jose Ayala

### Former Teams

Chicago Cyclones (2000-2001, 2007-2010)Miami Sunbirds (2002-2006)Dallas Rangers (2011-2014)

## Career

### Awards

1X ABA MVP5X ABA Silver Slugger6X ABA Gold Glove5X ABA Champion

​Jose Ayala (born June 2, 1972), is an American former professional baseball first baseman and ABA Hall of Famer. He played 15 seasons in the American Baseball Association, playing for the Chicago Cyclones, Miami Sunbirds and the Dallas Rangers, He amassed a .299 batting average, 162 home runs, 474 runs batted in, 449 runs scored, and over 762 hits. He is a 5-time ABA Champion, 1-time ABA MVP, 5-time ABA Silver Slugger and 6-time ABA Gold Glove.

## Professional Career

### Chicago Cyclones (2000-2001)

In the 2000 Inaugural Draft, Ayala was drafted in the second round by the Chicago Cyclones, with the ninth overall pick. He was regarded as a top hitter in the draft, with great contact and power and good defensive abilities, a rare combo in early ABA.

Ayala had a great debut season, leading the league in runs, with 19 home runs, displaying his power at the plate. He was one of the best hitters in the league, but sadly, Chicago missed the playoffs, angering Ayala.

Chicago struggled in 2001 and it applied to Ayala too, although he was still an above-average hitter and the best defensive first baseman in the ABA. Frustrated by Chicago's performances, Ayala rejected their qualifying offer and hit the open market hoping to sign with a contract with a contending team.

### Miami Sunbirds (2002-206)

Ayala signed a lucrative 6-year deal with the Miami Sunbirds, two-time finalists at this point and they hoped Ayala polished play would help them win a championship. He did just that, helping Miami win the ABA Championship, hitting for .315 and winning the ABA Silver Slugger at 1st base.

He had another great year in 2003, leading the league in doubles, but Miami failed to defend their title and for the first time in his career, he failed to win an individual award, after winning two gold gloves in Chicago and a Silver Slugger in 2002.

He bounced back in 2004, leading the league in slugging percentage, demonstrating his power at the plate, but he still failed to win the Silver Slugger, but he went home with the Gold Glove, demonstrating that he's a polished player.

He had down years by his standards in 2005 and 2006, with his average dropping below .300 for consecutive seasons. He missed significant time in 2006 with a torn meniscus, limiting to just 32 games. He still helped Miami win back-to-back championships, but with his numbers dropping, he was looking for a change and opted for free agency, declining his player option for the 2007 season.

### Chicago Cyclones (2007-2010)

Ayala went back where it all started, signing a 4-year contract with Chicago, but failing to earn a higher salary that he would've got in Miami. He went out there to prove himself in 2007, leading the league in runs once again and also leading in home runs, runs batted in, slugging and OPS. His efforts saw him win ABA MVP, a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove

He then helped Chicago win back-to-back championships in 2008 and 2009, winning Silver Slugger awards in back-to-back years, leading the league in various stats, including on-base percentage in 2008 and runs, home runs and slugging percentage in 2009.

He had a terrific start in 2010, hitting 10 hits in 19 at-bats, but missed the reminder of the season with a hamstring injury. After salary disputes with Chicago, he opted for free agency, thinking he could get more money despite his advanced age.

### Dallas Rangers (2011-2014)

Ayala did just that and signed a 3-year deal with the Dallas Rangers with a 50k$ salary increase per year. Despite being 38 years-old in 2011, he led the league in on-base percentage and having a great season all around, proving his doubters wrong.

He started to show his age in 2012, but he still signed a 3-year extension with Dallas at the end of the season. Nothing prepared us for what would happen in 2013. He only hit for .164, got relegated to DH and was benched towards the end of the year and was widely considered one of the world player in the ABA that year.

Ayala came back in 2014 despite numerous rumors that he would retire. He started the first two games of the season and reached base 4 times in 7 at-bats. He proved to himself that he still got it and asked for his release.

## Retirement

Ayala retired after being granted his release. He wanted to come out on top and not on a down like his 2013 year. He knew that his body wasn't following and he was on borrowed time anyway. At the time of his retirement, Ayala had the 2nd most home runs total in ABA history. He annouced that he would represent the Chicago Cyclones in his Hall of Fame bid, where he won his MVP and three Silver Sluggers.

### Hall of Fame

Many people thought Jose would be inducted in the Hall of Fame, but doubts still persisted on whether he'd be a first ballot Hall of Famer due to the recency bias and his atrocious 2013 season. However, he was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, barely getting over the threshold, the first player representing the Cyclones ever to be inducted in the Hall of Fame.

## Awards

1X ABA MVP Award (2007)

5X ABA Silver Slugger Award (2002-2003, 2007-2009)

6X ABA Gold Glove Award (2000-2001, 2004-2005, 2007-2008)

5X ABA Champion (2002, 2005-2006, 2008-2009)