Richard José Hidalgo [ee-dahl\'-go] (born June 28, 1975) is a former professional outfielder. He played with the Houston Astros (1997–2004), New York Mets (2004), and the Texas Rangers (2005) of Major League Baseball (MLB). He batted and threw right-handed.\n', '

Hidalgo was a powerful hitter, with good instincts in the outfield and a strong throwing arm. He was supposed to be an all around player in all areas, but a congenital knee defect changed those plans. After hitting .306 and .303 in his first two seasons, Hidalgo had a disappointing 1999 campaign with a .227 average, although he showed some power with 15 home runs in 383 at-bats. He required season-ending kneecap surgery.\n', '

Hidalgo blossomed in 2000, when he hit .314 with 44 home runs and 122 RBIs. That season Hidalgo set the Astros\' extra-base hit streak record, matched in 2017 by Alex Bregman, at 10 games. In September of 2000 Hidalgo set a Astros\' of .476 average record that was surpassed by Jose Altuve in 2018. But his numbers slowed in 2001 (.275, 19, 80) and 2002 (.235, 15, 48). In 2003, he returned to good form both at the plate and in the field. He posted numbers of .309, 28, 88, collected three homers in a game, and led the majors outfielders in assists with 22, while committing only four errors. Hidalgo split the 2004 season between the Astros and the Mets, hitting .239 with 25 homers and 82 RBIs. \n', '

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