and became the first non-roster invitee in franchise history to start on Opening Day. Cleveland Indians Belliard signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Indians for the campaign. In 2004 Belliard enjoyed a fine season from an offensive standpoint, stabilizing the second base position after the club experienced inconsistency at the position in 2003. Ronnie amassed career-highs in hits (169), doubles (48) and RBI (70) and also set a new career-high with 12 HR. He finished 2nd in the American League with 48 doubles, which represented the highest total by an Indian since Albert Belle's 52 in 1995. His .282 batting average at second base led all AL second basemen. His 169 hits ranked 2nd and his 69 RBI placed 4th among league 2B. Belliard earned his first trip to the All-Star Game after hitting .304 (103-339) in the first half with 5 home-runs and 37 RBI in 84 games (was voted in by players). He avoided arbitration and signed a 1-year contract on December 20 with a club option for 2006. In 2005, Belliard collected new career-highs in homers (17) and RBI (78) as he finished 3rd among AL second basemen in RBI and doubles (36) and 4th in home runs. St. Louis Cardinals On July 30, 2006, Belliard was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for utility infielder Héctor Luna in a move designed to acquire for St. Louis an every-day second baseman for the stretch run, and to provide bench bat strength for Cleveland. Belliard was a key part of the Cardinals' success in the 2006 National League Division Series when he hit .462 with two RBI and two runs scored. The Cardinals defeated the San Diego Padres three games to one to advance to the National League Championship Series. Belliard eventually won his first World Series ring when the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series, defeating the Detroit Tigers, four games to one. At the end of the season, however, Belliard was not re-signed, and became a free agent. Washington Nationals Belliard signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on February 18, . He was added to the Nationals' 40-man roster on March 22, 2007. Following an Opening Day injury to shortstop Cristian Guzmán, second baseman Felipe López was moved to shortstop, while Belliard filled in at second base. Guzmán came back in early May, but at the end of June suffered a season-ending