Highlighted Year: Otto Velez, 1979

Outfielder, Toronto Blue Jays

Age: 28

3^rd season with Blue Jays

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’0”    Weight: 170 

Prior to 1979:

A native of Ponce in Puerto Rico, Otoniel Velez grew up playing baseball and signed with the New York Yankees for $20,000. With teams at the Rookie and Class A levels in 1970 the young outfielder batted .322 with 10 doubles, 5 triples, 7 home runs, 48 RBIs, a .432 on-base percentage, and a .500 slugging percentage. With Kinston of the Class A Carolina League in 1971, Velez hit .310 with 21 doubles, 16 home runs, 73 RBIs, a .420 OBP, and a .510 slugging percentage. Advancing to West Haven of the Class AA Eastern League in 1972, he struggled a bit with playing in a cooler climate and batted .249 with 17 doubles, 13 home runs, 68 RBIs, and a .371 OBP thanks to drawing 80 walks. Moving on to the Syracuse Chiefs of the Class AAA International League in 1973, Velez had an outstanding season in right field, batting .269 with 19 doubles, 7 triples, 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, a .450 OBP due to drawing 130 walks, and a .562 slugging percentage. Named to the International League All-Star team, he solidified his position as an untouchable prospect and received a late-season call-up to the Yankees where he slugged his first two major league home runs. Unable to stick with the Yankees out of spring training in 1974, he started the season back in Syracuse where he again hit well and earned a midseason promotion to the Yanks. Competing with several veterans for playing time, Velez was utilized primarily at first base and only sparingly in the outfield. He hit .209 with only four extra-base hits over the course of 27 games and 67 at bats. Velez spent almost all of 1975 with Syracuse, batting .250 with 18 doubles, 10 home runs, 35 RBIs, a .445 OBP, and a .463 slugging percentage. Used in a utility role in 1976, Velez appeared in 49 games and hit .266 with 6 doubles, 2 home runs, 10 RBIs, and a .410 OBP. The Yankees won the AL East title and the league pennant before being flattened by the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series. Velez went hitless in four postseason at bats. Having been a top prospect who could never find a fit on the Yankees, in the offseason he was chosen by the expansion Blue Jays. Velez got off to a strong start with the fledgling club as he hit .442 in April with 5 home runs, 18 RBIs, a .531 OBP, and a .865 slugging percentage. He tailed off thereafter and encountered injury problems on his way to finishing at .256 with 19 doubles, 16 home runs, 62 RBIs, a .366 OBP, and a .458 slugging percentage. His play in the outfield, covering both left and right field, was subpar and he ended up seeing considerable action as Designated Hitter. Again playing both corner outfield positions in 1978, as well as pinch-hitting 27 times, Velez’s power production dropped off to 14 doubles and 9 home runs while he hit .266 with 38 RBIs, and a .380 OBP.  

1979 Season Summary

Appeared in 99 games

LF – 43, RF – 35, PH – 21, DH – 9, 1B – 6

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 325

At Bats – 274

Runs – 45

Hits – 79

Doubles – 21

Triples – 0

Home Runs – 15

RBI – 48

Bases on Balls – 46

Int. BB – 2

Strikeouts – 45

Stolen Bases – 0

Caught Stealing – 1

Average - .288

OBP - .396 [Non-qualifying]

Slugging Pct. - .529 [Non-qualifying]

Total Bases – 145

GDP – 8

Hit by Pitches – 3

Sac Hits – 2

Sac Flies – 0 

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 11, HR - 7, RBI - 19, AVG - .263, OBP - .364, SLG – .504

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Most hits, game – 3 (in 4 AB) at Baltimore 7/1, (in 3 AB) at Minnesota 7/23, (in 3 AB) vs. Texas 7/26, (in 4 AB) at KC Royals 8/1

Longest hitting streak – 8 games

HR at home – 7

HR on road – 8

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 3 AB) vs. Texas 7/26

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 4 vs. Texas 7/26

Pinch-hitting – 5 for 19 (.263) with 2 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI & 2 BB

 Fielding (OF)

Chances – 137

Put Outs – 130

Assists – 3

Errors – 4

DP – 1

Pct. - .971 

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The Blue Jays went 53-109 to finish seventh (last) in the AL Eastern Division, 50.5 games behind the division-winning Baltimore Orioles while leading the league in fewest home runs (95) and fewest walks drawn (448). The Blue Jays went through a dismal stretch between April 15 and June 5 in which they produced a 9-39 record which entrenched them in the AL East cellar. As a part-time outfielder, Velez put together his best major league season.

Aftermath of 1979:

In 1980, the player nicknamed “Otto the Swatto” lived up to his monicker during a May double-header against the Cleveland Indians when he hit four home runs and accounted for 10 RBIs. During the first game of the twin bill, he became the first Blue Jay to slug three homers in a game. Utilized almost exclusively as a DH he went on to bat .269 with 12 doubles, 20 home runs, 62 RBIs, a .365 OBP, and a .487 slugging percentage although he was sidelined for the season’s last 36 games due to a broken cheek bone suffered In a car accident. His hitting in the strike-shortened 1981 season dropped off to .213 with 11 home runs, 28 RBIs, a .363 OBP, and a .404 slugging percentage while still DHing regularly. Replaced as the regular DH in 1982, Velez appeared in only 28 games and was released in September. Joining the Cleveland Indians in 1983 he played in only 10 games before his once promising major league playing career came to an end at age 32. For his major league career, Velez batted .251 with 452 hits that included 87 doubles, 11 triples, and 78 home runs. He scored 244 runs and compiled 272 RBIs, a .369 OBP, and a .441 slugging percentage. With Toronto he batted .257 with 394 hits, 214 runs scored, 76 doubles, 10 triples, 72 home runs, 243 RBIs, a .372 OBP, and a .461 slugging percentage. Following his playing career, Velez coached for Puerto Rico’s baseball team in several international competitions.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Claude Osteen, 1964

Pitcher, Washington Senators

Age: 25 (Aug. 9)

4^th season with Senators (3^rd complete)

Bats – Left, Throws – Left

Height: 5’11” Weight: 160 

Prior to 1964:

A Tennessee native, Osteen was the son of an amateur pitcher. The family moved to Cincinnati and Osteen became a star pitcher at Reading High School where his varsity record was 23-1. Going 16-0 as a senior in 1957 he posted a 0.13 ERA and 221 strikeouts over 103.2 innings. That led to signing a contract with the Cincinnati Reds immediately following his graduation. The 17-year-old southpaw appeared in one July game for the Reds before being assigned to Nashville of the Class AA Southern Association where he appeared in seven games and had a 1-1 record before receiving a late-season call-up to the Reds where he made two more relief appearances. His major league totals, where he had no decisions, were four hits and a run over four innings. Osteen spent 1958 with the Wenatchee Chiefs of the Class B Northwest League where he compiled a 14-4 record and 3.04 ERA with 15 complete games and 174 strikeouts over 151 innings. Promoted to the Seattle Rainiers of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, he produced a 5-4 tally and 3.08 ERA to close out the year. Staying with Seattle in 1959 his record was 8-12 with a mediocre team, but his ERA was a good 2.98 and he had 12 complete games and 155 strikeouts over 193 innings. Back with Cincinnati in 1960 he was a little-used member of the bullpen, appearing in 20 games and going 0-1 with a 5.03 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 48.1 innings. Following an offseason of winter ball in Puerto Rico, Osteen started the 1961 season with the Reds before soon being sent back to Class AAA with Indianapolis of the American Association where he put together a 15-11 tally, 3.53 ERA, 11 complete games, and 132 strikeouts over 191 innings. In September he was traded to the Senators who were playing out their inaugural season as an expansion team replacing the long-time Senators club that had moved to Minnesota. Able to be a starting pitcher with minimal pressure in Washington, he lost his first five decisions in 1962 before shutting out the Kansas City A’s on his way to posting an 8-13 record and 3.65 ERA with 7 complete games, and 59 strikeouts over 150.1 innings. Osteen started slowly in 1963 on his way to a 9-14 tally and 3.35 ERA with 8 complete games and 109 strikeouts over 212.1 innings.

1964 Season Summary

Appeared in 40 games

P – 37, PH – 2, PR – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 37

Games Started – 36 [2, tied with five others]

Complete Games – 13 [3, tied with Milt Pappas & Jim Kaat]

Wins – 15 [12, tied with Camilo Pascual]

Losses – 13 [9, tied with six others]

PCT - .536

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 0

Innings Pitched – 257 [5]

Hits – 256 [2]

Runs – 107 [9]

Earned Runs – 95 [9, tied with John O’Donoghue & Buster Narum]

Home Runs – 20

Bases on Balls – 64 [17, tied with Mickey Lolich, Bennie Daniels & Ed Connolly]

Strikeouts – 133 [20]

ERA – 3.33 [16]

Hit Batters – 3

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 3 

Midseason Snapshot: 6-5, ERA - 3.24, SO – 66 in 116.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 8 (in 9 IP) vs. Chi. White Sox 5/15, (in 9 IP) vs. Cleveland 7/28

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 5 (in 9 IP) at Detroit 9/13, (in 7.1 IP) vs. LA Angels 8/15, (in 7 IP) vs. KC A’s 6/8

Batting

PA – 103, AB – 90, R – 8, H – 14, 2B – 4, 3B – 0, HR – 1, RBI – 7, BB – 3, SO – 34, SB – 1, CS – 0, AVG - .156, GDP – 1, HBP – 1, SH – 7, SF – 2

Fielding

Chances – 60

Put Outs – 9

Assists – 51

Errors – 0

DP – 5

Pct. - 1.000

 Awards & Honors:

30^th in AL MVP voting, tied with Ed Bressoud, Bos. & Dave Wickersham, Det. (2 points – 1% share)

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The Senators went 62-100 to finish ninth in the AL, 37 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees. The pitching staff led the league in fewest saves (26) and fewest strikeouts (794). Hindered by a weak offense, the Senators were at 19-29 by the end of May but dropped into the AL cellar thanks to a 13-32 stretch that commenced in late June. Entering September while apparently heading toward another disastrous finish, they still managed to do better than the Kansas City Athletics.

Aftermath of 1964:

Highly sought after by other teams, Osteen was traded in the offseason to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a major trade that brought outfielder Frank Howard, third baseman Ken McMullen, and LHP Pete Richert to Washington. On the cusp of stardom with the lowly Senators, in 1965 Osteen found himself in the starting rotation of a pennant-winning club. During spring training he obtained the nickname “Gomer” from a teammate due to his perceived resemblance to actor Jim Nabors who portrayed the comic character Gomer Pyle on television. On a pitching staff dominated by LHP Sandy Koufax and RHP Don Drysdale, Osteen got off to a 6-10 start but went 9-5 after the All-Star break to finish at 15-15 with a 2.79 ERA and 9 complete games with 162 strikeouts over 287 innings. The Dodgers edged the Giants in a hot pennant race and fell behind the Minnesota Twins in the World Series as Drysdale and Koufax lost the first two games. Osteen pitched a five-hit shutout to turn the Series around for the Dodgers. He lost his Game 6 start but Koufax nailed down the World Series title in the decisive seventh game. With outstanding control his arsenal consisted of a sinking fastball, slider, curve, and changeup. The Dodgers were pennant-winners again in 1966 and Osteen contributed a 17-14 tally and 2.85 ERA along with 8 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 137 strikeouts over 240.1 innings. The club was swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series and Osteen took a tough 1-0 loss in Game 3 thanks to giving up a solo home run while Baltimore’s Wally Bunker hurled a shutout, which was part of the pitching dominance on the part of the Orioles against LA’s weak-hitting lineup. Sandy Koufax retired in the offseason, setting the stage for a Dodger downturn in 1967. The team did indeed drop to eighth place in the NL. Not a strong hitting club even during their previous two pennant-winning seasons, the situation worsened in ’67 and Osteen finished with a 17-17 record despite a respectable 3.22 ERA and 5 shutouts among his 14 complete games. He compiled 152 strikeouts over 288.1 innings. Still, he was an All-Star for the first time. The situation was no better in 1968 and Osteen’s tally dropped to 12-18 with a 3.08 ERA, 5 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 119 strikeouts over 254 innings. The Dodgers contended in the new NL West in 1969 and Osteen produced a 20-15 record with a 2.66 ERA, 16 complete games, 7 shutouts, and 183 strikeouts over 321 innings. He followed up in 1970 at 16-14 with a 3.83 ERA, 11 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 114 strikeouts over 258.2 innings. Along the way he was an All-Star. The consistent Osteen went 14-11 for the second-place Dodgers in 1971 with a 3.51 ERA, 11 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 109 strikeouts over 259 innings. In an otherwise disappointing 1972 season for the team, Osteen produced a 20-11 record and 2.64 ERA with 14 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 100 strikeouts over 252 innings. Turning 34 during the 1973 season, the crafty Osteen posted a 16-11 tally and 3.31 ERA, with 12 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 86 strikeouts over 236.2 innings. Looking to add batting punch to their lineup, the Dodgers traded Osteen to the Houston Astros for outfielder Jim Wynn in the offseason. With the Astros in 1974, Osteen was 9-9 with a 3.71 ERA when he was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals in August. With the Cardinals battling Pittsburgh for the NL East crown down the stretch, the savvy veteran pitched out of the bullpen and was 0-2 with a 4.37 ERA in 8 appearances. Released by the Cardinals in the spring of 1975, he was picked up by the Chicago White Sox and returned to full-time starting duty. His record was 7-16 with a 4.36 ERA, 5 complete games, and 63 strikeouts over 204.1 innings. Having avoided arm problems over the years with his easy delivery and intelligent approach to his craft, Osteen was finally showing signs of wear and was released by the White Sox the following spring, thus ending his playing career. For his major league career, Osteen compiled a 196-195 record with a 3.30 ERA, 140 complete games, 40 shutouts, and 1612 strikeouts over 3460.2 innings. With the Senators he was 33-41 with a 3.46 ERA, 28 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 315 strikeouts over 638 innings. In three World Series starts with the Dodgers his record was 1-2 with a 0.86 ERA and 7 strikeouts over 21 innings. A three-time All-Star, 1964 marked the only season in which he received MVP votes. Following his playing career, Osteen became a pitching coach in the minor leagues and in the majors with the Cardinals, Phillies, Rangers, and Dodgers. In 2004 he was inducted into the Cincinnati High School Sports Hall of Fame.   

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20), pitching wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10), or have been participants in the annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category will also include Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Don Lock, 1964

Outfielder, Washington Senators

Age: 28 (July 27)

3^rd season with Senators

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’2”    Weight: 195 

Prior to 1964:

A Kansas native, Lock grew up on a farm in Kingman County. At Kingman High School he lettered in football and basketball. He played semipro baseball prior to being awarded a basketball scholarship to Wichita State University, from where he received a degree in Physical Education. Signed by the New York Yankees in 1958 he was assigned to Fargo-Moorhead of the Class C Northern League where he batted .257 with 10 doubles, 6 triples, 13 home runs, 78 RBIs, and a .422 on-base percentage. Between the 1958 and ’59 seasons he spent six months in the Army. Moving up to Greensboro of the Class B Carolina League in 1959, Lock improved his offensive production to .283 with 27 doubles, 7 triples, 30 home runs, 122 RBIs, a .393 OBP, and a .549 slugging percentage. He finished the season with the Binghamton Triplets of the Class A Eastern League, where he spent most of the 1960 season and hit .262 with 14 doubles, 9 triples, 35 home runs, 117 RBIs, a .372 OBP, and a .549 slugging percentage. After a brief stop in Class AA with Amarillo of the Texas League, Lock ended up in Class AAA with Richmond in the International League. 1961 was spent entirely with Richmond where he batted .236 with 29 home runs, 77 RBIs, a .323 OBP, and a .471 slugging percentage. He started the 1962 season with Richmond and was hitting only .194 with 13 home runs and a .343 OBP (not yet a statistic that was tracked) when the Yankees, disappointed by his low batting averages despite his good power totals, traded him to the Senators in July. Joining the Senators immediately, Lock appeared in 71 games and batted .253 with 12 home runs, 37 RBIs, a .336 OBP, and a .458 slugging percentage. Prone to taking big swings, he also tended to strike out a great deal. The pattern continued in his first full major league season in 1963 as he whiffed 151 times while hitting .252 with 20 doubles, 27 home runs, a .338 OBP thanks to drawing 70 walks, and a .446 slugging percentage. Having taken over as the starting center fielder, he led AL outfielders in putouts (377) and double plays (6) while placing second in assists (14). The team’s Grandstand Managers fan club selected him as club MVP.

1964 Season Summary

Appeared in 152 games

CF – 133, RF – 27, PH – 6

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 598

At Bats – 512

Runs – 73

Hits – 127

Doubles – 17

Triples – 4

Home Runs – 28 [10, tied with Brooks Robinson, Joe Pepitone & Jim Gentile]

RBI – 80 [14, tied with Don Demeter & Bill Freehan]

Bases on Balls – 79 [8]

Int. BB – 3

Strikeouts – 137 [2]

Stolen Bases – 4

Caught Stealing – 2

Average - .248

OBP - .346

Slugging Pct. - .461 [16]

Total Bases – 236

GDP – 12

Hit by Pitches – 1

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 6 [10, tied with five others]

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 6, HR - 11, RBI - 32, AVG - .240, OBP - .371, SLG – .434

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 4 AB) at Boston 7/19

Longest hitting streak – 7 games

Most HR, game – 2 on five occasions

HR at home – 14

HR on road – 14

Multi-HR games – 5

Most RBIs, game – 5 at Boston 7/19, vs. Chi. White Sox 8/1 – 10 innings

Pinch-hitting– 1 for 6 (.167) with 1 HR & 3 RBI

 Fielding

Chances – 378

Put Outs – 354

Assists – 19

Errors – 5

DP - 3

Pct. - .987 

Awards & Honors:

33^rd in AL MVP voting (1 point – 1% share)

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The Senators went 62-100 to finish ninth in the AL, 37 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees, while leading the league in batting strikeouts (1124), fewest hits (1246), lowest batting average (.231), and lowest OBP (.299). Hindered by a weak offense, the Senators were at 19-29 by the end of May but dropped into the AL cellar thanks to a 13-32 stretch that commenced in late June. Entering September while apparently heading toward another disastrous finish, they still managed to do better than the Kansas City Athletics.

Aftermath of 1964:

Lock followed up with a down season at the plate in 1965, batting .215 with 15 doubles, 16 home runs, 39 RBIs, a .315 OBP, and only a .371 slugging percentage. He remained proficient in the outfield. The results were only marginally better in 1966 as he hit .233 with 16 home runs, 48 RBIs, and a .333 OBP. Lock was also over 100 strikeouts for the fourth straight year. In the offseason he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for reliever Darold Knowles, with the Phillies attracted to his defensive ability in center field. In 1967 with the Phillies, Lock proved to be a disappointment as he batted .252 with 13 doubles, 14 home runs, 51 RBIs, a .349 OBP, and a .435 slugging percentage, while striking out 98 times. Lock’s playing time fell to 99 games in 1968 and he hit .210 with 8 home runs, 34 RBIs, and a .283 OBP. In 1969, the arrival of promising young outfielder Larry Hisle relegated Lock to the bench and he was traded to the Boston Red Sox in May. Limited to 53 games with the Red Sox, as a reserve outfielder and pinch-hitter, he batted .224 with one home run. Sent down to the Louisville Colonels of the International League in 1970, he hit .237 with 15 home runs and 41 RBIs in his final season as a player. For his major league playing career, Lock batted .238 with 642 hits that included 92 doubles, 12 triples, and 122 home runs. He scored 359 runs and compiled 373 RBIs, a .331 OBP, and a .417 slugging percentage. He struck out 776 times (24.9 %). With the Senators he batted .240 with 498 hits and scored 278 runs with 71 doubles, 9 triples, 99 home runs, 286 RBIs, a .334 OBP, and a .427 slugging percentage, while striking out 592 times. Lock never appeared in the postseason. After his playing career he was a minor league manager for three years before returning to Kansas to operate the family farm. He died in 2017 at age 81.   

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Roberto Hernandez, 1999

Pitcher, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Age: 34

2^nd season with Devil Rays

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’4”    Weight: 220 

Prior to 1999:

A native of Puerto Rico, Hernandez moved to New York City with his family at a young age. Initially a catcher in his youth, he started high school in New York until receiving a scholarship to New Hampton School in New Hampshire where he continued as a catcher on the baseball team. He was still utilized behind the plate after moving on to the University of Connecticut. The tall and lanky young backstop displayed an impressive throwing arm but had a slow release when firing the ball to second base. Playing summer ball in Virginia’s Valley League in 1985, Hernandez was utilized steadily as a pitcher for the first time. He transferred to the University of South Carolina at Aiken and performed well in 1986, compiling a 10-2 record (including the NAIA tournament) with 97 strikeouts over 94 innings, and as a Designated Hitter when not pitching he batted .315 with a team-leading 18 home runs. Chosen by the California Angels in the first round of the 1986 amateur draft, he signed and was assigned to Salem of the short-season Class A Northwest League. Starting 10 games, he went 2-2 with a 4.38 ERA and 38 strikeouts over 55 innings. Dealing with injuries in 1987 with Quad Cities of the Class A Midwest League, he was limited to seven games and produced a 2-3 tally and 6.86 ERA. Starting off poorly with Midland of the Class AA Texas League in 1988, Hernandez was sent back to Quad Cities where he started 24 games and compiled a 9-10 record with a 3.17 ERA and 114 strikeouts over 164.2 innings. Back in the Texas League with Midland in 1989, Hernandez got off to a poor start and was again demoted to Class A, this time with Palm Springs of the California League. In August the Angels traded him to the Chicago White Sox who reassigned him to South Bend of the Midwest League where he finished the season with an overall record of 4-12 with a 5.50 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 131 innings. Regarded as a project by the White Sox, Hernandez split the 1990 season with the Birmingham Barons of the Class AA Southern League and Vancouver of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, posting a combined record of 11-10 in 28 starts with a 3.31 ERA, 4 complete games, and 111 strikeouts over 187.1 innings. Returning to Vancouver in 1991, after seven starts and feeling right hand numbness, he underwent surgery for blood clots in June and was surprisingly back in action by July. Having developed a slider in place of his “big and sloppy” curve to go along with a fastball, his performance improved significantly as he made four starts back with Birmingham following a rehab stint in the Gulf Coast League and went 2-1 with a 1.99 ERA. Called up to the White Sox in September, in his first start he retired the first 16 batters he faced and took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before giving up a hit. Two more starts went badly and Hernandez finished the season in the bullpen having produced a 1-0 tally for the White Sox with a 7.80 ERA and 6 strikeouts along with 7 walks over 15 innings pitched. Following a season of winter ball in Puerto Rico, Hernandez returned to the bullpen for the White Sox in the spring of 1992. Sent down to Vancouver, he made nine relief appearances and compiled a 3-3 record with 2 saves and a 2.61 ERA before being called back to Chicago in June. Joining a talented bullpen that included two other pitchers who reached double digits in saves, Hernandez saved 12 games himself and emerged down the stretch to end the season as the closer. He appeared in 43 games for the White Sox and in addition to the 12 saves had a 7-3 tally and 68 strikeouts over 71 innings. The White Sox topped the AL West in 1993 and Hernandez solidified his role as closer out of the bullpen by registering 38 saves among his 70 appearances and had a 2.29 ERA and 71 strikeouts over 78.2 innings. In his first taste of postseason action, he had a save and gave up no runs in the team’s six-game ALCS loss to Toronto. During the strike-shortened 1994 season, Hernandez suffered through a June slump before finishing with 14 saves and a 4-4 tally in 45 appearances. His ERA jumped to 4.91 and he recorded 50 strikeouts over 47.2 innings. He endured another rough June in 1995 on his way to 32 saves, a 3-7 record in 60 appearances, and 84 strikeouts over 59.2 innings. Hernandez got off to a strong start in 1996. Following an opening day blown save, he produced 20 saves and a win over 27 appearances on his way to 38 saves and a 6-5 tally over 72 games pitched. He led the league in games finished for the third straight year and had a 1.91 ERA and 85 strikeouts over 84.2 innings. He was an All-Star for the first time and tied for sixth in AL Cy Young voting. With Hernandez due to become a free agent following the 1997 season, the White Sox dealt him to the San Francisco Giants along with starters Wilson Alvarez and Danny Darwin at the end of July. With 27 saves and a 2.44 ERA at the time of the trade, he became a setup man for closer Rod Beck down the stretch with the Giants and finished the season with a combined 74 appearances that resulted in a 10-3 record, 31 saves, a 2.45 ERA, 50 games finished, and 82 strikeouts over 80.2 innings. The Giants won the NL West title and lost the NLDS to the Florida Marlins in a three-game sweep with Hernandez a disappointment in his three appearances. As a free agent in the offseason he signed with the expansion Devil Rays for four years and $22.5 million, which seemed to be something of an extravagance for a first-year club. With the 63-99 club in 1998 he appeared in 67 games and had a 2-6 tally with 26 saves, 58 games finished, a 4.04 ERA, and 55 strikeouts over 71.1 innings.  

1999 Season Summary

Appeared in 72 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 72 [7, tied with Mike Jackson & Paul Shuey]

Games Started – 0

Games Finished – 66 [1]

Complete Games – 0

Wins – 2

Losses – 3

PCT - .400

Saves – 43 [2, tied with John Wetteland]

Shutouts – 0

Innings Pitched – 73.1

Hits – 68

Runs – 27

Earned Runs – 25

Home Runs – 1

Bases on Balls – 33

Strikeouts – 69

ERA – 3.07 [Non-qualifying]

Hit Batters – 4

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 3

League-leading games finished were +1 ahead of runner-up Mike Jackson

Midseason Snapshot: G – 44, 1-3, ERA - 3.72, SV – 26, SO - 44 in 46 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 3 (in 1 IP) vs. KC Royals 5/5, (in 2 IP) vs. Philadelphia 7/20

10+ strikeout games – 0

Fielding

Chances – 15

Put Outs – 4

Assists – 10

Errors – 1

DP – 1

Pct. - .933

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

10^th in AL Cy Young voting, tied with Keith Foulke, ChiWS. (1 point – 1% share)

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The Devil Rays went 69-93 to finish fifth (last) in the AL Eastern Division, 29 games behind the division-winning New York Yankees. The pitching staff led the league in walks (695) and hit batters (79). Off to a respectable 22-20 start by mid-May, the injury-plagued Devil Rays hit a 2-16 stretch that dropped them into fourth place in the AL East. They fell into the cellar for good on September 1. Attendance at Tropicana Field dropped to 1,562,827.

Aftermath of 1999:

Hernandez remained solid in 2000 as he appeared in 68 games and had a 4-7 record with 32 saves, 58 games finished, a 3.19 ERA, and 61 strikeouts over 73.1 innings. In the offseason he was traded to the Kansas City Royals as part of a three-team deal that also included the Oakland Athletics. Hernandez’s 2001 season with the Royals was disappointing as he posted 28 saves and a 5-6 tally in 63 appearances along with a 4.12 ERA, 55 games finished, a 4.12 ERA, and 46 strikeouts over 67.2 innings for the last-place club. The Royals were 62-100 in 2002 and Hernandez appeared in 53 games and compiled 26 saves, a 1-3 record, 42 games finished, a 4.33 ERA, and 39 strikeouts over 52 innings. A free agent in the offseason, he signed with the Atlanta Braves. The perennial division-winning club topped the NL East once again and Hernandez, no longer a closer, appeared in 66 games and posted a 5-3 tally with no saves, a 4.35 ERA, and 45 strikeouts over 60 innings. In the losing NLDS matchup against the Chicago Cubs, he pitched one scoreless inning. A free agent again following his one-year deal with the Braves, he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2004 and appeared in 63 games and went 3-5 with no saves, a 4.76 ERA, and 44 strikeouts over 56.2 innings. Hernandez moved on to his third straight NL East club in 2005, joining the New York Mets and in 67 appearances produced an 8-6 record with 4 saves, a 2.58 ERA, and 61 strikeouts over 69.2 innings. Moving on to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006, he was traded back to the Mets in July and went on to pitch in a combined 68 games with a 0-3 tally, 2 saves, a 3.11 ERA, and 48 strikeouts over 63.2 innings. The Mets reached the postseason and Hernandez made three appearances in the NLCS loss to the St. Louis Cardinals and provided 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. At age 42 he split 2007 between the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers to cap his career. For his major league career, Hernandez pitched in 1010 games, all but three in relief, and compiled a 67-71 record and 326 saves with a 3.45 ERA, 667 games finished, and 945 strikeouts over 1071.1 innings. With Tampa Bay he made 207 appearances with an 8-16 record, 101 saves, a 3.43 ERA, 182 games finished, and 185 strikeouts over 218 innings. He pitched in 11 postseason games and was 0-1 with one save, a 3.12 ERA, and 2 strikeouts over 8.2 innings. Hernandez was a two-time All-Star and received Cy Young Award votes twice as well. Heavily involved in community outreach programs during his playing career, he continued to be active in youth mentorship programs in New York following retirement from baseball. The new baseball stadium at  the University of South Carolina at Aiken was named for him in 2003.  

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

    

Highlighted Year: Leon Roberts, 1978

Outfielder, Seattle Mariners

Age:  27

1^st season with Mariners

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’3”    Weight: 200 

Prior to 1978:

A Michigan native, Roberts suffered vision impairment due to a childhood injury, a fact which he hid until after his baseball playing career. He still was a prominent athlete at Portage Northern High School where he played football and basketball in addition to baseball, and also ran track. Much pursued with college scholarship offers, he attended the University of Michigan on a football scholarship and also played baseball, batting .367 and receiving All-Big Ten recognition. Roberts was selected in the tenth round of the 1972 amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers. With teams in the Class A Florida State and Carolina Leagues in 1972 he batted a combined .304 in 80 total games with 15 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs, 54 RBIs, a .415 on-base percentage, and a .435 slugging percentage. In 1973 he advanced to the Montgomery Rebels of the Class AA Southern League and hit .295 with 30 doubles, 14 home runs, 70 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, a .382 OBP, and a .446 slugging percentage. Roberts spent 1974 in Class AAA with Evansville of the American Association where he batted .285 with 31 doubles, 12 home runs, 79 RBIs, a.363 OBP, and a .441 slugging percentage. Receiving a late-season call-up to the Tigers, he appeared in 17 games and hit .270. Touted as the successor to long-time star Al Kaline in right field in 1975, Roberts appeared in 129 games and batted .257 with 17 doubles, 5 triples, 10 home runs, 38 RBIs, and a .316 OBP.  In the offseason he went from one last-place club to another, when the Tigers traded him to the Houston Astros as part of a seven-player deal, who were seeking to add promising young players. As a part-time player with Houston in 1976, Roberts hit .289 in 87 games with 7 home runs, 33 RBIs, and a .347 OBP. Strictly a reserve with the Astros in 1977, he was sent down to Class AAA with the Charleston Charlies of the International League in June after having managed only two pinch-hits in 21 at bats. In 73 minor league games he batted .299 with 20 doubles, 2 home runs, 34 RBIs, and a .382 OBP, and publicly expressed his frustration with having not been given a sufficient opportunity to prove himself with the Astros. Roberts was dealt to the Mariners for infielder Jimmy Sexton in the offseason. Initially platooned in right field in 1978, he settled into full-time duty as the season progressed, gaining notice for his hustling outfield play as well as his hitting.

1978 Season Summary

Appeared in 134 games

RF – 128, PH – 11, DH – 2

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 528

At Bats – 472

Runs – 78

Hits – 142

Doubles – 21

Triples – 7 [11, tied with six others]

Home Runs – 22 [17, tied with four others]

RBI – 92 [12]

Bases on Balls – 41

Int. BB – 2

Strikeouts – 52

Stolen Bases – 6

Caught Stealing – 3

Average - .301 [6]

OBP - .364 [16, tied with Jason Thompson]

Slugging Pct. - .515 [6, tied with Gorman Thomas]

Total Bases – 243

GDP – 7

Hit by Pitches – 8 [4, tied with Chet Lemon]

Sac Hits – 3

Sac Flies – 4

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 8, 3B – 2, HR – 11, RBI - 41, AVG. - .305, SLG - .527, OBP – .386

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Most hits, game – 3 on nine occasions

Longest hitting streak – 8 games

HR at home – 9

HR on road – 13

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 4 AB) vs. Baltimore 8/16

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 6 vs. Toronto 5/7

Pinch-hitting – 4 for 8 (.500) with 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI & 2 BB

Fielding

Chances - 307

Put Outs – 289

Assists – 10

Errors – 8

DP – 4

Pct. - .974

Awards & Honors:

33^rd in AL MVP voting (3 points – 1% share)

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The Mariners went 56-104 to finish seventh (last) in the AL Western Division, 35 games behind the division-winning Kansas City Royals. The Mariners dropped into the AL West cellar in April and never rose above fifth place the rest of the way. Disappointing play from some of the standouts of the inaugural season combined with front office instability to damage the club’s chances. Roberts was one of a few stars for the struggling team once he settled into regular duty in right field.

Aftermath of 1978:

Roberts followed up in 1979 with a somewhat lesser season, batting .271 with 24 doubles, 6 triples, 15 home runs, 54 RBIs, a .352 OBP, and a .451 slugging percentage. In a disappointing season for the Mariners in general in 1980, Roberts hit .251 with 18 doubles, 10 home runs, 33 RBIs, and a .325 OBP. Traded to the Texas Rangers in the offseason as part of an eleven-player deal, Roberts split time during the strike-interrupted 1981 season with John Grubb and batted .279 with 17 doubles, 4 home runs, 31 RBIs, and a .345 OBP. Frustrated with his role as a reserve outfielder in 1982 while the Rangers were struggling, Roberts was sold to the Toronto Blue Jays in July. For the year he hit .230 with 9 extra-base hits, 11 RBIs, and a .276 OBP. Traded in 1983 to the Kansas City Royals, he played for two seasons as a reserve and batted a combined .252 with 8 home runs, 27 RBIs, and a .311 OBP. Left off the postseason roster for the ALCS in 1984, he was released following the season. Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates for 1985, he played in the minors and never returned to the major leagues. For his major league career, Roberts batted .267 with 731 hits that included 126 doubles, 28 triples, and 78 home runs. He scored 342 runs and compiled 328 RBIs, a .332 OBP, and a .419 slugging percentage. With the Mariners he batted .276 with 187 runs scored, 358 hits, 63 doubles, 16 triples, 47 home runs, 179 RBIs, a .349 OBP. and a .458 slugging percentage. He never appeared in the postseason and only received MVP votes in 1978, his best major league season. Following his playing career, Roberts coached at the major and minor league levels. He also played in the short-lived Senior Professional Baseball Association.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Sam Jones, 1959

Pitcher, San Francisco Giants

 

Age: 33

1^st season with Giants

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’4”    Weight: 192

Prior to 1959:

Born in Stewartsville, Ohio, there was some dispute regarding the actual year of Jones’ birth, although 1925 is generally accepted, it is possible that he lowered his age by a couple of years for reasons pertaining to his athletic career. He lived with his single mother in her father’s home until the family moved to Monongah, West Virginia at around age 11. In 1937 he received $50 and a new bike for winning the state marble shooting championship during which he displayed impressive determination and skill. When his mother married they moved to Grant Town and Jones entered Dunbar High School in nearby Fairmont where he played football and basketball. Upon entering the Army during World War II in 1943 he first began to play baseball, appearing at first base and catcher and only occasionally pitching. He also acquired the lasting habit of chewing toothpicks, which led to his nickname of “Toothpick Sam”. A light-skinned African-American with reddish hair (he was also called “Red” as a result), Jones played for low-level Negro League teams while still in the Army. In 1947 he left the military and signed with the Cleveland Buckeyes of the Negro American League and being a poor hitter and lacking athletic grace, became a full-time pitcher. His overall record was 4-2 that season, and 0-1 in official league games. Returning to the Buckeyes in 1948, he had a 9-8 overall tally (1-2 in official games) for the financially strapped club. Still very raw as a pitcher who had gotten a late start, he was rejected by a scout for the Cleveland Indians and joined a touring Negro League team before playing winter ball in Panama where he got the opportunity to pitch in the 1949 Caribbean Series. In 1949 he joined the semipro Southern Minnesota League and performed very well, although records are unreliable. Following a fall tryout with the Cleveland Indians, Jones signed and, after another winter season in Panama he joined Wilkes-Barre of the Class A Eastern League in 1951. He produced a 17-8 record with a 2.71 ERA, 20 complete games, and 169 strikeouts over 219 innings. He featured an impressive fastball and curve that he threw sidearm and overhand. He also picked up another nickname of “Sad Sam” that was inspired by an earlier major league pitcher also named Sam Jones due to his quiet nature and downcast countenance. Beyond that he could be amiable and humorous and had a generous disposition. Moving up to San Diego of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in 1951, Jones worked on not telegraphing his pitches and posted a 15-13 tally and 2.75 ERA with a league-leading 246 strikeouts over 267 innings. Called up to Cleveland in September, he made two appearances and was 0 -1 with a 2.08 ERA. Pitching winter ball in Puerto Rico with Santurce, he had a good season until his heavy workload caused him to come up with a sore arm which also sidelined him for a time in the spring with the Indians. He made only 14 appearances for Cleveland in 1952 and was 2-3 with a disappointing 7.25 ERA. Sent back to AAA at one point with Indianapolis of the American Association, he was 4-0 with a 3.09 ERA. Still hindered by arm soreness in 1953, Jones spent the season with Indianapolis and produced a 10-12 record and 3.32 ERA with 10 complete games and 118 strikeouts over 187 innings. Following a disappointing winter campaign in Venezuela, Jones, who remained blocked from Cleveland due to the club’s strong pitching rotation, was back with Indianapolis again in 1954 where he performed better with a 15-8 tally, 3.75 ERA, 12 complete games, and 178 strikeouts over 199 innings. Frustrated with the Indians organization, he threatened to quit and was traded to the Chicago Cubs. In 1955 with a sixth-place club, “Toothpick Sam” finally got the chance to be a starting major league pitcher over the course of a full season and had a 14-20 record that included a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates in which he walked three batters to load the bases in the ninth inning and was nearly pulled by manager Stan Hack, only to strike out the next three batters on 11 pitches to finish the hitless performance, the first ever by an African-American in the NL or AL. He also led the NL in strikeouts (198), and prone to wildness, also led in walks (185) and hit batters (14) which also exemplified his tendency to throw inside to batters who crowded the plate. His ERA was 4.10 but he was an All-Star selection. Jones again led the NL in strikeouts in 1956 (176) and walks (115) in what was overall a disappointing season in which his record was 9-14 with a 3.91 ERA. In the offseason he was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals as part of a nine-player trade. In 1957 he went through a hot stretch in June and July but encountered a sore elbow and finished at 12-9 with a 3.60 ERA, 10 complete games, 2 shutouts, and 154 strikeouts with 71 walks over 182.2 innings. In 1958 “Toothpick Sam” returned to his routine of leading the league in both strikeouts (225) and walks (107) while compiling a 14-13 tally with a 2.88 ERA, 14 complete games, 2 shutouts, and 250 innings pitched. Jones was traded once again during spring training in 1959, as part of a deal with the Giants that brought promising first baseman Bill White to St. Louis. Appreciated for his obvious pitching talent, “Toothpick Sam” was considered to be a hard luck pitcher, although he had improved his delivery and mechanics.   

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 50 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 50 [8]

Games Started – 35 [7, tied with Bob Friend & Robin Roberts]

Complete Games – 16 [7]

Wins – 21 [1, tied with Warren Spahn & Lew Burdette]

Losses – 15 [5, tied with Warren Spahn & Lew Burdette

PCT - .583 [10, tied with Warren Spahn & Lew Burdette]

Saves – 5 [10, tied with Orlando Pena]

Shutouts – 4 [1, tied with six others]

Innings Pitched – 270.2 [4, tied with Don Drysdale]

Hits – 232 [11]

Runs – 99 [14]

Earned Runs – 85 [17]

Home Runs – 18

Bases on Balls – 109 [1]

Strikeouts – 209 [2]

ERA – 2.83 [1]

Hit Batters – 8 [4, tied with Wilmer Mizell & Juan Pizarro]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 5 [14, tied with five others]

League-leading bases on balls surrendered were +3 ahead of runner-up Glen Hobbie

League-leading ERA was -0.01 lower than runner-up Stu Miller

Midseason Snapshot: 10-8, ERA - 3.35, SO – 114 in 139.2 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 12 (in 9 IP) vs. Philadelphia 5/13

10+ strikeout games – 3

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 0 (in 7 IP) at St. Louis 9/26 (Rain-shortened no-hitter with 2 BB & 5 strikeouts. Giants won 4-0)

Batting

PA – 100, AB – 85, R – 3, H – 11, 2B – 1, 3B – 0, HR – 0, RBI – 8, BB – 3, SO – 30, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .129, GDP – 1, HBP – 0, SH – 11, SF – 1

Fielding

Chances – 47

Put Outs – 10

Assists – 34

Errors – 3

DP – 2

Pct. - .936

Awards & Honors:

NL Pitcher of the Year: Sporting News

All-Star

5^th in NL MVP voting (130 points – 39% share)

2^nd in MLB Cy Young voting (2 votes – 13% share)

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The Giants went 83-71 to finish third in the NL, 4 games behind the pennant-winning Los Angeles Dodgers. The pitching staff led the league in ERA (3.47), fewest hits allowed (1279), and fewest runs allowed (613). Embroiled in a hot three-team pennant race with the Dodgers and Milwaukee Braves, the Giants moved into first on July 4. Aided by rookie first baseman Willie McCovey’s arrival at the end of the month, they cruised into September but, losing seven of their last eight games, dropped into third at the end. Jones was the club’s ironman pitcher, relieving in 15 games between starts until tiring in the final week. In addition to his rain-shortened no-hitter at St. Louis, he missed out on a full-length no-hitter against the Dodgers on a controversial scorer’s ruling of a base hit on a ball misplayed by shortstop Andre Rodgers thus reinforcing Jones’ hard luck label.

Aftermath of 1959:

Jones received a pay raise to $35,000 in 1960 and while the Giants dipped in the standings, “Toothpick Sam” was still effective in posting an 18-14 record and 3.19 ERA with 13 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 190 strikeouts over 234 innings. His performance dropped off in 1961 to 8-8 in 37 appearances (17 of them starts) with a 4.49 ERA and 105 strikeouts over 128.1 innings. Left exposed in the NL expansion draft in the offseason, he was chosen by the new Houston franchise, who in turn dealt him to the Detroit Tigers. During 1962 spring training Jones was diagnosed with cancer, and following surgery and treatment, it went into remission. He was still able to pitch for the Tigers, typically out of the bullpen and in 30 appearances (6 of them starts) he went 2-4 with a 3.65 ERA and 73 strikeouts over 81.1 innings. Along the way he even added a new pitch, a slider, to his repertoire. Injuries suffered in a September car accident further curtailed his season and he was released by the Tigers. Failing to catch on with the Los Angeles Angels during 1963 spring training, he instead signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Class AAA International League where he stayed until the Cardinals re-obtained him in June and assigned him to the Atlanta Crackers, also of the International League. Having compiled a combined minor league record of 9-4 he was promoted to the Cardinals in August. He appeared in 11 games in his return to the Cardinals, all in relief, and despite a 2-0 tally, his ERA was 9.00 and he was released at season’s end. After playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, where he performed well, Jones signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1964 and was assigned to their AAA International League team, the Columbus Jets where he was 7-6 with a 1.76 ERA while used exclusively out of the bullpen, with 89 strikeouts over 83 innings. Obtained by the Baltimore Orioles, who were seeking a veteran reliever for the September stretch run as they contended for the American League pennant, “Toothpick Sam” made seven appearances  without a decision and had a 2.61 ERA and 6 strikeouts over 10.1 innings. Returned to the Pittsburgh organization during the offseason, he spent three more seasons with Columbus, with his best record being 12-4 in 1965. Apparently due to concerns about his age (he was 41 when he reached the end of the line), he never again appeared in the major leagues.  For his major league career, Jones produced a 103-104 record while pitching in 327 games (225 of them starts), with a 3.63 ERA, 77 complete games, 17 shutouts, and 1393 strikeouts with 840 walks over 1669.1 innings. With the Giants his record was 47-37 in 126 pitching appearances (87 of them starts) with a 3.30 ERA, 31 complete games, 7 shutouts, and 504 strikeouts with 257 walks over 633 innings. He led the NL in strikeouts three times and in walks four times. He was a two-time All-Star. Following his playing career, a second bout with cancer led to his death in 1971 at age 45. The tenacity and determination he displayed as a youth when winning the West Virginia marble shooting championship served him well as an adult, and despite bad luck and control issues suffered during his pitching career, he was often impressive.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

 

Highlighted Year: Orlando Cepeda, 1959

First Baseman/Outfielder, San Francisco Giants

Age: 22 (Sept. 17)

2^nd season with Giants

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’2”    Weight: 210 

Prior to 1959:

The son of Pedro Cepeda, an outstanding player in his native Puerto Rico as well as the Dominican Republic who was known as “The Bull”. Cepeda later came to be nicknamed “the Baby Bull” and grew up playing baseball in Santurce, Puerto Rico. As he grew and filled out, he developed a power stroke and was signed by the Giants, receiving a $500 bonus. He was first assigned to Salem of the Class D Appalachian League in 1955 where he hit just .247 with one home run in 26 games before moving on to Kokomo of the Mississippi-Ohio Valley League where he performed much better, hitting 21 home runs and knocking in 91 RBIs while batting .393 in 92 games. In 1956 Cepeda was promoted to St. Cloud of the Class C Northern League where he won the Triple Crown with 26 home runs, 112 RBIs, and a batting average of .355. Moving up to the Minneapolis Millers of the Class AAA American Association in 1957, he batted .309 with 25 home runs and 108 RBIs. Cepeda filled an opening at first base for the Giants, newly relocated to San Francisco from New York, in 1958. Concerns about his fielding ability at first proved to be unwarranted. He homered in the season-opening game against the Dodgers and went on to bat .312 with 25 home runs, 96 RBIs, and a league-leading 38 doubles as well as a .342 on-base percentage and a .512 slugging percentage.

1959 Season Summary

Appeared in 151 games

1B – 122, LF – 44, 3B – 4, PR – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 648 [13]

At Bats – 605 [6]

Runs – 92 [11]

Hits – 192 [3]

Doubles – 35 [5, tied with Johnny Temple]

Triples – 4

Home Runs – 27 [7, tied with Dick Stuart]

RBI – 105 [6]

Bases on Balls – 33

Int. BB – 10 [10]

Strikeouts – 100 [2]

Stolen Bases – 23 [2, tied with Tony Taylor & Jim Gilliam]

Caught Stealing – 9 [5, tied with Tony Taylor & Sparky Anderson]

Average - .317 [3]

OBP - .355 [19]

Slugging Pct. - .522 [6]

Total Bases – 316 [6]

GDP – 10

Hit by Pitches – 5 [7, tied with six others]

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 4 [19, tied with twelve others]

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 21, HR – 17, RBI - 63, AVG - .331, OBP - .370, SLG - .575

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) at Mil. Braves 6/4, (in 5 AB) vs. Cincinnati 6/18

Longest hitting streak – 14 games

Most HR, game – 2 (in 4 AB) vs. Chi. Cubs 4/15, (in 5 AB) at Mil. Braves 6/4, (in 4 AB) at Mil. Braves 8/19

HR at home – 13

HR on road – 14

Multi-HR games – 3

Most RBIs, game – 7 at Mil. Braves 6/4

Pinch-hitting – No appearances 

Fielding (1B)

Chances – 1015

Put Outs – 929

Assists – 70

Errors – 16

DP – 74

Pct. - .984

Awards & Honors:

All-Star (Started for NL at 1B in first game)

19^th in NL MVP voting, tied with Vern Law, Pitt. & Warren Spahn, MilB (3 points, 1% share)

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The Giants went 83-71 to finish third in the NL, 4 games behind the pennant-winning Los Angeles Dodgers. Embroiled in a hot three-team pennant race with the Dodgers and Milwaukee Braves, the Giants moved into first on July 4. Aided by rookie first baseman Willie McCovey’s arrival at the end of the month, they cruised into September but, losing seven of their last eight games, dropped into third at the end. McCovey’s presence caused Cepeda to finish off the year in left field after a brief trial at third base.

Aftermath of 1959:

While the positional changes didn’t affect Cepeda’s hitting, he chafed at playing in the outfield. Shifting between the outfield and first base in 1960, and adjusting to the new Candlestick Park, his home run total dropped to 24 and he knocked in 96 runs and batted .297 with a .343 OBP and .497 slugging percentage. Similarly splitting time in the field in 1961, Cepeda had a big year at the plate, batting .311 and leading the NL in home runs (46) and RBIs (142). He placed second in league MVP balloting and was an All-Star for the third of an eventual six consecutive seasons. The Giants won the NL pennant in 1962 and Cepeda, playing regularly at first base while McCovey made the shift to left field, contributed 35 home runs, 114 RBIs, a .306 average, a .347 OBP, and a .518 slugging percentage. Battling chronic knee pain and clashing with manager Alvin Dark, Cepeda continued to produce at the plate, batting .316 with 34 home runs and 97 RBIs in 1963 and .304 with 31 home runs and 97 RBIs in 1964. Hobbled by knee pain that ultimately required surgery, Cepeda appeared in only 33 games in 1965, utilized mostly as a pinch hitter. With McCovey now a fixture at first base, Cepeda started the 1966 season in left field until he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for LHP Ray Sadecki in May. Moving back to first base for good, he hit .301 for the year with 20 home runs and 73 RBIs. The Cardinals soared to the NL pennant in 1967 and won the World Series. Cepeda was a popular team leader, nicknamed “Cha Cha” due to his penchant for Latin music. He batted .325 with 37doubles, 25 home runs and a league-leading 111 RBIs plus a .399 OBP and a .524 slugging percentage. He became the first National League player to unanimously be elected MVP. The Cards repeated as pennant winners in 1968 but in the pitching-dominated season Cepeda hit only .248 with 26 doubles, 16 home runs, 73 RBIs, a .308 OBP, and a .378 slugging percentage. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves the following spring and hit .257 with 28 doubles, 22 home runs, 88 RBIs, and a .325 OBP in 1969 for the Braves, who won the NL West in the first season of divisional play in major league baseball. The team dropped to fifth place in 1970 but Cepeda was better at the plate with a .305 average and 34 home runs, 111 RBIs, a .365 OBP, and a .543 slugging percentage. He started strongly in 1971 until an injury to his left knee resulted in further surgery that finished his season after 71 games. Cepeda started the 1972 season with the Braves and was dealt to Oakland at mid-season, appearing in only 31 games in all until lingering knee trouble sidelined him again. Released by the A’s it appeared that his career was finished until the American League adopted the designated hitter rule in 1973. Signed by the Boston Red Sox strictly to DH, Cepeda appeared in 142 games, never playing in the field, and batted .289 with 20 home runs, 86 RBIs, a .350 OBP, and a .444 slugging percentage. He was named Designated Hitter of the Year. Released in the spring of 1974 Cepeda played briefly in Mexico until signed by the Kansas City Royals. As a DH in his final major league season he batted .215 with one home run and 18 RBIs. Overall, for his major league career Cepeda batted .297 with 2351 hits that included 417 doubles, 27 triples, and 379 home runs. He scored 1131 runs and compiled 1365 RBIs, a .350 OBP, and a .499 slugging percentage. With the Giants he batted .308 with 1286 hits 652 runs scored, 226 doubles, 22 triples, 226 home runs, 767 RBIs, a .352 OBP, and a .535 slugging percentage. Appearing in 22  postseason games, Cepeda hit .207 with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs. Cepeda was an 11-time All-Star. Among his struggles in retirement, he served 10 months in prison for smuggling marijuana, after which he turned things around and became a “goodwill ambassador” for the Giants and went on to become honored for his humanitarian work. Cepeda was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Giants retired his #30. A statue of Cepeda has been placed outside of San Francisco’s AT&T Park. He died in 2024 at age 86. 

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years.