Tony Fernandez to Suit Up With Rangers

23 Aug 1999: Tony Fernandez #1 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs to a base during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Network Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Blue Jays defeated the A's 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

SURPRISE, Arizona – Former Dominican All-Star shortstop Tony Fernández has signed on as special assistant to the Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels.

Fernández went to five All-Star games and won four straight Gold Gloves with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he spent the majority of his 17-year career before retiring in 2001.

Fernández reached the playoffs with five different teams and won a World Series with the Blue Jays, where he is a part of the organizations “Level of Excellence.”

Fernández made his professional baseball debut with the Blue Jays in 1983 and became the team’s full time short stop only two years later.

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After being traded to the San Diego Padres in 1991 and then the New York Mets two years later, Fernández returned to the Blue Jays late in the season where he helped the team win the 1993 World Series.

The 49-year-old had a .288 batting average in 2,158 games played and a .327 batting average in 43 postseason games, compiling 2,276 total career hits.

In his shortstop career, Fernández’s .979 fielding percentage ranks sixth all time among players with over 1000 games. Twice in his career, Fernandez led the American League in fielding percentage.

Since retiring, Fernández has earned several religious degrees and is an ordained minister. He helps run the Tony Fernández Foundation, a nonprofit with offices in Canada, the U.S. and the Dominican Republic.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.