Ed Figueroa
Encyclopedia
Eduardo Figueroa Padilla (born October 14, 1948, in Ciales, Puerto Rico
), is a former Major League Baseball
player. He holds the distinction of being the only pitcher
from Puerto Rico to win twenty games in a season.
as a seventeen year old amateur free agent in . He went 12-5 with a 2.05 earned run average
with the Winter-Haven Mets in , and seemed well on his way to the majors when was called to take a draft physical in Puerto Rico. After three weeks away from his team, the Raleigh-Durham Mets, he hurt his arm in his first game back. The Mets released him, and Figueroa joined the United States Marine Corps
, spending the next year in Vietnam
.
Upon his return from Vietnam in , Figueroa signed with the San Francisco Giants
. After three seasons in their organization, he was traded to the California Angels for Bruce Christensen
and Don Rose
on July 6, .
had already given up three earned runs to the Texas Rangers
, he was yanked in the second inning with the bases loaded and no outs. Skip Lockwood
struck out the first batter he faces, then gave up a grand slam
to Jeff Burroughs
. The Angels were already behind 10-2 when Figueroa was called into the game in the eighth inning. He gave up only one hit in two innings.
On July 6, Figueroa pitched a brilliant complete game in which he only gave up one earned run while striking out six and scattering six hits. He, however, received no run support from his team, and his first professional decision turned out to be a 1-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians
. His next start was also a complete game. This time, however, he received plenty of run support, and beat the Boston Red Sox
7-0 at Fenway Park
. The 1974 Angels were a last place team who barely avoided losing 100 games (94). Figueroa ended up with a 2-8 record despite a respectable 3.67 ERA.
After splitting 1974 between starts and relief appearances, Figueroa was added to the starting rotation for . The Angels were again a last place team, yet Figueroa still managed to put up respectable numbers, going 16-13 with a 2.91 ERA. Following the season, Figueroa was traded with center fielder
Mickey Rivers
to the New York Yankees
for All-Star
outfielder
Bobby Bonds
.
and Dock Ellis
, yet it was Figueroa who turned out to be the staff ace, going 19-10 with a 3.02 ERA to finish fourth in American League
Cy Young Award
balloting behind Jim Palmer
, Mark Fidrych
and former California teammate Frank Tanana
in .
Figueroa's numbers tailed off slightly in , as he went 16-11 with a 3.57 ERA for the 1977 World Series
champions. He was 7-7 with a 3.91 ERA when he took the mound against the Minnesota Twins
on July 19, . Figueroa pitched a complete game shutout
, and went 13-2 for the remainder of the season to help lead the charge from fourteen games back to overtake the Boston Red Sox in the American League East
.
Figueroa suffered from arm problems in , and was limited to only sixteen starts. On July 20, , Figueroa was tagged by the Kansas City Royals
for five earned runs in two innings. His ERA ballooned to 6.98, and he was placed on waivers shortly afterwards. The Texas Rangers
purchased his contract just before the July 31 trade deadline.
Shortly afterwards, he signed with former Yankees skipper Billy Martin
and the Oakland Athletics
, and posted a far more respectable 3.34 ERA with their Pacific Coast League
affiliate, the Tacoma Tigers. He earned a promotion to the majors, and made his final major league start on September 6 against the Baltimore Orioles
. He was leading 4-2 when an injury forced his early departure in the fifth inning.
Figueroa made five minor league starts for the A's in , and was 0-3 with an enormous 18.24 ERA. He was offered a minor league deal by the Milwaukee Brewers
for , but chose instead to retire. He currently lives in Guayanabo, Puerto Rico, and owns two Mexican restaurants named Lupis in Old San Juan and near the San Juan airport
. His nephew, Nelson Figueroa
, is in the New York Mets organization.
Figueroa was 0-4 with a 7.47 ERA in seven post-season starts.
After retiring from baseball, he returned to Puerto Rico and opened up a restaurant named Lupi's.
Ciales, Puerto Rico
Ciales is a municipality of Puerto Rico, located on the Central Mountain Range, northwest of Orocovis; south of Florida and Manatí; east of Utuado and Jayuya; and west of Morovis. Ciales is spread over eight wards and Ciales Pueblo...
), is a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. He holds the distinction of being the only pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
from Puerto Rico to win twenty games in a season.
USMC
Figueroa originally signed with the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
as a seventeen year old amateur free agent in . He went 12-5 with a 2.05 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
with the Winter-Haven Mets in , and seemed well on his way to the majors when was called to take a draft physical in Puerto Rico. After three weeks away from his team, the Raleigh-Durham Mets, he hurt his arm in his first game back. The Mets released him, and Figueroa joined the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, spending the next year in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
.
Upon his return from Vietnam in , Figueroa signed with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. After three seasons in their organization, he was traded to the California Angels for Bruce Christensen
Bruce Christensen
Bruce Ray Christensen is a former Major League Baseball shortstop for the California Angels. He was drafted by the Angels in the 17th round of the 1966 amateur draft. In his only major league season, 1971, he got into a total of 29 games, 24 at shortstop, and was in the starting lineup 15 times...
and Don Rose
Don Rose (baseball)
Donald Gary Rose is a former professional baseball player who played three seasons for the New York Mets, California Angels, and San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.-References:...
on July 6, .
California Angels
Figueroa made his major league debut on April 9, . After Nolan RyanNolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
had already given up three earned runs to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, he was yanked in the second inning with the bases loaded and no outs. Skip Lockwood
Skip Lockwood
Claude Edward Lockwood Jr. is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched for the Seattle Pilots , Milwaukee Brewers , California Angels , New York Mets and Boston Red Sox .-Third base:Lockwood attended Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, where...
struck out the first batter he faces, then gave up a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
to Jeff Burroughs
Jeff Burroughs
Jeffrey Alan Burroughs is a former player in Major League Baseball. From through , he played for the Washington Senators , Texas Rangers , Atlanta Braves , Seattle Mariners , Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays . Burroughs batted and threw right-handed...
. The Angels were already behind 10-2 when Figueroa was called into the game in the eighth inning. He gave up only one hit in two innings.
On July 6, Figueroa pitched a brilliant complete game in which he only gave up one earned run while striking out six and scattering six hits. He, however, received no run support from his team, and his first professional decision turned out to be a 1-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. His next start was also a complete game. This time, however, he received plenty of run support, and beat the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
7-0 at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
. The 1974 Angels were a last place team who barely avoided losing 100 games (94). Figueroa ended up with a 2-8 record despite a respectable 3.67 ERA.
After splitting 1974 between starts and relief appearances, Figueroa was added to the starting rotation for . The Angels were again a last place team, yet Figueroa still managed to put up respectable numbers, going 16-13 with a 2.91 ERA. Following the season, Figueroa was traded with center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
Mickey Rivers
Mickey Rivers
John Milton "Mickey" Rivers is a former Major League Baseball player from 1970-1984 for the California Angels, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers...
to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Bobby Bonds
Bobby Bonds
Bobby Lee Bonds was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball from to , primarily with the San Francisco Giants...
.
New York Yankees
Figueroa joined a Yankees pitching staff that included Catfish HunterCatfish Hunter
James Augustus "Catfish" Hunter , was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1965-1979 for both the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees...
and Dock Ellis
Dock Ellis
Dock Phillip Ellis, Jr. was a professional baseball player who pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, among other teams in Major League Baseball. His best season was 1971, when he won 19 games for the World Series champion Pirates and was the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star...
, yet it was Figueroa who turned out to be the staff ace, going 19-10 with a 3.02 ERA to finish fourth in American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
balloting behind Jim Palmer
Jim Palmer
James Alvin "Jim" Palmer , nicknamed "Cakes", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in .As of 2008, Palmer and his wife Susan have homes in Palm Beach, Florida, and...
, Mark Fidrych
Mark Fidrych
Mark Steven Fidrych , nicknamed "The Bird", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire career for the Detroit Tigers ....
and former California teammate Frank Tanana
Frank Tanana
Frank Daryl Tanana is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He was the California Angels' 1st round draft pick in 1971....
in .
Figueroa's numbers tailed off slightly in , as he went 16-11 with a 3.57 ERA for the 1977 World Series
1977 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 11, 1977 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkThe Dodgers drew first blood off Don Gullett in the first when Davey Lopes walked and scored on a Bill Russell triple. Ron Cey made it 2–0 on a sacrifice fly...
champions. He was 7-7 with a 3.91 ERA when he took the mound against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
on July 19, . Figueroa pitched a complete game shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
, and went 13-2 for the remainder of the season to help lead the charge from fourteen games back to overtake the Boston Red Sox in the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
.
Figueroa suffered from arm problems in , and was limited to only sixteen starts. On July 20, , Figueroa was tagged by the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
for five earned runs in two innings. His ERA ballooned to 6.98, and he was placed on waivers shortly afterwards. The Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
purchased his contract just before the July 31 trade deadline.
Oakland A's
Things did not go well for Figueroa in Texas, as he was 0-7 with a 5.90 ERA for the Rangers in 1980. He re-signed with the Rangers for , but was released after six minor league starts in which he was 2-1 with a 7.83 ERA.Shortly afterwards, he signed with former Yankees skipper Billy Martin
Billy Martin
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin, Jr. was an American Major League Baseball second baseman and manager. He is best known as the manager of the New York Yankees, a position he held five different times...
and the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, and posted a far more respectable 3.34 ERA with their Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
affiliate, the Tacoma Tigers. He earned a promotion to the majors, and made his final major league start on September 6 against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. He was leading 4-2 when an injury forced his early departure in the fifth inning.
Figueroa made five minor league starts for the A's in , and was 0-3 with an enormous 18.24 ERA. He was offered a minor league deal by the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for , but chose instead to retire. He currently lives in Guayanabo, Puerto Rico, and owns two Mexican restaurants named Lupis in Old San Juan and near the San Juan airport
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located in Carolina, Puerto Rico, three miles southeast of San Juan. Over 4 million passengers board a plane at the airport per year according to FAA reports . It is owned and managed by the Puerto Rico Ports...
. His nephew, Nelson Figueroa
Nelson Figueroa
Nelson Walter Figueroa, Jr. is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He attended Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts where he pitched for three years and earned a bachelors degree in American Studies...
, is in the New York Mets organization.
Figueroa was 0-4 with a 7.47 ERA in seven post-season starts.
After retiring from baseball, he returned to Puerto Rico and opened up a restaurant named Lupi's.