Manny Sanguillen
Encyclopedia
Manuel De Jesus Sanguillen Magan, better known as Manny Sanguillen or "Sangy" (born March 21, 1944 in Colón, Panama
), is a former professional
baseball
player who was a catcher
in the Major Leagues
. He was named to the All-Star
team three times, in , , and . He played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates
, but also for the Oakland Athletics
in 1977. Sanguillen's lifetime batting average
of .296 is the fourth highest by a catcher since World War II, and tenth highest for catchers in Major League Baseball history.
, Sanguillén was considered one of the best catchers in Major League baseball in the early 1970s. While he didn't possess Bench's power hitting ability, Sanguillen hit for a higher batting average. He was an integral member of the Pirates teams that won three consecutive National League Eastern Division pennants
between 1970
and 1972
, and a World Series
victory in 1971
. Sanguillen was also a fast baserunner for a catcher and was a good defensive player with a strong throwing arm.
Sanguillen was notorious for being a "bad-ball" hitter. Most pitchers will try to strike out an aggressive, free-swinging hitter by forcing him to swing at pitches outside the strike zone when he has two strikes on him. Sanguillen often irritated opposing pitchers and managers by hitting bad pitches for base hits. He rarely walked, and was the only player since 1900 with at least six straight seasons with 475 plate appearances and fewer than 22 walks. This was also why, in spite of his high batting average, his on-base percentage was lower than the league average over his career.
After playing for three years in the minor leagues
, Sanguillen joined the Pirates in 1967
, playing in 30 games
. He played another season in the minor leagues in 1968, before returning to the Major Leagues in 1969
. He replaced Jerry May
as the Pirates starting catcher and posted a .303 batting average. He solidified his reputation as one of the top hitting catchers in baseball by hitting for a .325 batting average in 1970
, finishing third in the National League batting championship behind Rico Carty
and Joe Torre
.
Sanguillen was a valuable member of the world champion 1971
Pirates. He had his best year in terms of offensive production by hitting for a .319 batting average, while hitting 7 home run
s and 81 runs batted in. He also had his best year defensively, finishing third among National League catchers in games caught (135), second in base runners caught stealing
(37), caught stealing percentage (51.4%), fielding percentage
(.994) and first in assists
(72). The Pirates won the National League Eastern Division pennant by 7 games over the St. Louis Cardinals
, then defeated the San Francisco Giants
in the 1971 National League Championship Series
, before winning the World Series
against the Baltimore Orioles
. In the seven-game series, Sanguillen had a .379 batting average with 11 hits, second only to the 12 hits by Roberto Clemente
.
After the tragic death of Roberto Clemente in 1973
, the Pirates slated Sanguillen to take Clemente's place in right field. By mid-June, it was apparent that Sanguillen couldn't adapt to playing the outfield
and he was moved back to the catcher's position. Sanguillen had another strong year in 1975
, when he posted a .328 batting average, third in the National League batting championship behind Bill Madlock
and Ted Simmons
. In 1977
, Sanguillen was traded by the Pirates to the Oakland Athletics
for the services of then-A's manager Chuck Tanner
and $100,000 as a settlement of Tanner's contract with the A's.
After one season with the A's, Sanguillen was traded back to the Pirates for Miguel Dilone
and Elias Sosa
. He played in only 85 games in 1978
, mostly as a first baseman
as Ed Ott
and Duffy Dyer
platooned
at the catcher's position. His playing time diminished further in 1979
, playing in only 56 games, although he contributed a two-out
, game-winning single
and RBI for the Pirates in Game 2 of the 1979 World Series
against the Orioles
. Sanguillen would retire after the 1980
season.
, accumulating 1500 hits
in 5062 at bats for a .296 career batting average along with 65 home runs and 585 runs batted in. He ended his career with a .986 fielding percentage. Sanguillen was the Pirates' catcher on September 20, 1969
when Bob Moose
pitched a no-hitter
. Along with his three All-Star Game appearances, he was a member of two world championship winning teams in 1971 and 1979
, and finished in eighth place in the Most Valuable Player Award balloting results. Sanguillen edged out Johnny Bench on The Sporting News
National League All-Star Team in , the only time between and that Bench was not selected. He was also a close friend of the late Roberto Clemente
. Sanguillen was the only member of the Pirates not to attend Clemente's funeral, choosing instead to dive the waters where Clemente's plane had crashed in a futile effort to find his friend.
Sanguillen currently operates "Manny's BBQ", a barbecue-style concession stand at the Pirates' current home, PNC Park
. He sits in a chair greeting fans in line to buy food, signing autographs and posing for photos.
Colón, Panama
Colón is a sea port on the Caribbean Sea coast of Panama. The city lies near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. It is capital of Panama's Colón Province and has traditionally been known as Panama's second city....
), is a former professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player who was a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
in the Major Leagues
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...
. He was named to the All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
team three times, in , , and . He played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, but also for 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....
in 1977. Sanguillen's lifetime batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .296 is the fourth highest by a catcher since World War II, and tenth highest for catchers in Major League Baseball history.
Major League career
Although he was often overshadowed by his contemporary, Johnny BenchJohnny Bench
Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
, Sanguillén was considered one of the best catchers in Major League baseball in the early 1970s. While he didn't possess Bench's power hitting ability, Sanguillen hit for a higher batting average. He was an integral member of the Pirates teams that won three consecutive National League Eastern Division pennants
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
between 1970
1970 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season resulted in the team winning their first National League East title with a record of 89-73, five games ahead of the Chicago Cubs...
and 1972
1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Offseason :* January 12, 1972: Larry Demery was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft .* March 15, 1972: José Martínez was purchased from the Pirates by the Kansas City Royals.- Notable transactions :...
, and a World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
victory in 1971
1971 World Series
The 1971 World Series matched the defending champion Baltimore Orioles against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with the Pirates winning in seven games. Game 4, played in Pittsburgh, was the first-ever World Series game scheduled to be played at night....
. Sanguillen was also a fast baserunner for a catcher and was a good defensive player with a strong throwing arm.
Sanguillen was notorious for being a "bad-ball" hitter. Most pitchers will try to strike out an aggressive, free-swinging hitter by forcing him to swing at pitches outside the strike zone when he has two strikes on him. Sanguillen often irritated opposing pitchers and managers by hitting bad pitches for base hits. He rarely walked, and was the only player since 1900 with at least six straight seasons with 475 plate appearances and fewer than 22 walks. This was also why, in spite of his high batting average, his on-base percentage was lower than the league average over his career.
After playing for three years in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, Sanguillen joined the Pirates in 1967
1967 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 86th season in franchise history. The sixth-place Pirates finished at 81-81, 20½ games behind the National League and World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.- Offseason :...
, playing in 30 games
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. He played another season in the minor leagues in 1968, before returning to the Major Leagues in 1969
1969 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Pirates finishing in third place in the newly-established National League East, twelve games behind the eventual World Series champion New York Mets...
. He replaced Jerry May
Jerry May
Jerry Lee May , was an American professional baseball player who played as a catcher in the Major Leagues from 1964 to 1973. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, and Kansas City Royals...
as the Pirates starting catcher and posted a .303 batting average. He solidified his reputation as one of the top hitting catchers in baseball by hitting for a .325 batting average in 1970
1970 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season resulted in the team winning their first National League East title with a record of 89-73, five games ahead of the Chicago Cubs...
, finishing third in the National League batting championship behind Rico Carty
Rico Carty
Ricardo Adolfo Jacobo Carty is a former professional baseball player. Nicknamed Beeg Boy, he played mostly as an outfielder in Major League Baseball from to...
and Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
.
Sanguillen was a valuable member of the world champion 1971
1971 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Pirates finishing first in the National League East with a record of 97 wins and 65 losses. They defeated the San Francisco Giants three games to one in the National League Championship Series and beat the Baltimore...
Pirates. He had his best year in terms of offensive production by hitting for a .319 batting average, while hitting 7 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 81 runs batted in. He also had his best year defensively, finishing third among National League catchers in games caught (135), second in base runners caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
(37), caught stealing percentage (51.4%), fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
(.994) and first in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
(72). The Pirates won the National League Eastern Division pennant by 7 games over the St. Louis Cardinals
1971 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 90th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 80th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 90-72 during the season and finished second in the National League East, seven games behind the eventual NL pennant and World Series champion Pittsburgh...
, then defeated the San Francisco Giants
1971 San Francisco Giants season
-Offseason:* December 30, 1970: Ron Hunt was traded by the Giants to the Montreal Expos for Dave McDonald.-Regular season:The Giants battled their arch rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers, throughout the season for the NL West Division lead. The Giants led by 8.5 games on September 1. In mid September...
in the 1971 National League Championship Series
1971 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 2, 1971 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, CaliforniaWith aces Gaylord Perry and Steve Blass taking the mound for their respective teams, Game 1 looked to be a pitchers duel. It sort of was for four innings; the Pirates struck for two in the top of the third when Dave...
, before winning the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
against the Baltimore Orioles
1971 Baltimore Orioles season
In , the Baltimore Orioles finished first in the American League East, with a record of 101 wins and 57 losses. As of 2010, the 1971 Orioles are the last Major League Baseball club to have four 20-game winners in a season: Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar, and Pat Dobson.- Offseason :*...
. In the seven-game series, Sanguillen had a .379 batting average with 11 hits, second only to the 12 hits by Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
.
After the tragic death of Roberto Clemente in 1973
1973 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Notable transactions :* May 4, 1973: Jerry McNertney was purchased by the Pirates from the Oakland Athletics.* June 17, 1973: Rick Langford was signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates.* July 5, 1973: Jerry McNertney was released by the Pirates....
, the Pirates slated Sanguillen to take Clemente's place in right field. By mid-June, it was apparent that Sanguillen couldn't adapt to playing the outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
and he was moved back to the catcher's position. Sanguillen had another strong year in 1975
1975 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 89th in the history of the franchise. The Pirates' 92-69 record was good enough to win their fifth National League East title in six seasons by 6½ games over their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies...
, when he posted a .328 batting average, third in the National League batting championship behind Bill Madlock
Bill Madlock
Bill "Mad Dog" Madlock, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. From 1973 to 1987, Madlock was a right-handed hitter who won several National League batting titles. His record of four batting titles as a third baseman would be eclipsed in 1988 by Wade Boggs. Since 1970, only Tony Gwynn has...
and Ted Simmons
Ted Simmons
Ted Lyle Simmons is an American former professional baseball player and coach. A switch-hitter, Simmons was a catcher for most of his Major League Baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals , the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves...
. In 1977
1977 Oakland Athletics season
The 1977 Oakland Athletics season was a season in American baseball. The team finished 7th in the American League West with a record of 63 wins and 98 losses...
, Sanguillen was traded by the Pirates to 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....
for the services of then-A's manager Chuck Tanner
Chuck Tanner
Charles William "Chuck" Tanner was a left fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was known for his unwavering confidence and infectious optimism. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship in 1979...
and $100,000 as a settlement of Tanner's contract with the A's.
After one season with the A's, Sanguillen was traded back to the Pirates for Miguel Dilone
Miguel Dilone
Miguel Ángel Diloné Reyes is a former Major League Baseball switch hitting outfielder. He played 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres.Dilone began his career as a September call-up in 1974...
and Elias Sosa
Elias Sosa
Elías Sosa Martínez , is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was signed by the San Francisco Giants as an amateur free agent on March 4, 1968. He played for the Giants , St...
. He played in only 85 games in 1978
1978 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Offseason :* December 8, 1977: Al Oliver and Nelson Norman were traded by the Pirates to the Texas Rangers as part of a four-team trade. Bert Blyleven was traded by the Rangers to the Pirates, and John Milner was traded by the New York Mets to the Pirates...
, mostly as a first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
as Ed Ott
Ed Ott
Nathan Edward Ott is a former professional baseball catcher and coach who played in the Major Leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels between 1974 and 1981...
and Duffy Dyer
Duffy Dyer
Donald Robert "Duffy" Dyer is a former American professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the New York Mets , Pittsburgh Pirates , Montreal Expos , and Detroit Tigers .-Playing career:Dyer played alongside Sal Bando and Rick Monday as a member of...
platooned
Platoon system
The platoon system in baseball is a method of designating two players to a single defensive position—usually one right-handed and one left-handed. Typically the right-handed half of the platoon is played on days when the opposing pitcher is left-handed and the left-handed player is played otherwise...
at the catcher's position. His playing time diminished further in 1979
1979 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates had 98 wins and 64 losses and captured the National League East Division title by two games over the Montreal Expos. The Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds to win their ninth National League title, and the Baltimore Orioles to win their fifth World Series title - and also...
, playing in only 56 games, although he contributed a two-out
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
, game-winning single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
and RBI for the Pirates in Game 2 of the 1979 World Series
1979 World Series
The 1979 World Series matched the National League's Pittsburgh Pirates against the American League's Baltimore Orioles , with the Pirates coming back from a three games to one deficit to win the Series in seven games...
against the Orioles
1979 Baltimore Orioles season
The 1979 Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. The Orioles finished first in the American League East division of Major League Baseball with a record of 102 wins and 57 losses...
. Sanguillen would retire after the 1980
1980 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Offseason :* November 24, 1979: Cecilio Guante was signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates.- Notable transactions :* June 3, 1980: Rick Renteria was drafted by the Pirates in the 1st round of the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft....
season.
Career statistics
In a 13 year career, Sanguillen played in 1448 gamesGames played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, accumulating 1500 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 5062 at bats for a .296 career batting average along with 65 home runs and 585 runs batted in. He ended his career with a .986 fielding percentage. Sanguillen was the Pirates' catcher on September 20, 1969
1969 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Pirates finishing in third place in the newly-established National League East, twelve games behind the eventual World Series champion New York Mets...
when Bob Moose
Bob Moose
Robert Ralph Moose Jr. was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1967 to 1976. Moose spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His best season came in 1969 when he posted a 14-3 won-loss record and a 2.91 Earned Run Average working equally as a starter and reliever...
pitched a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
. Along with his three All-Star Game appearances, he was a member of two world championship winning teams in 1971 and 1979
1979 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates had 98 wins and 64 losses and captured the National League East Division title by two games over the Montreal Expos. The Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds to win their ninth National League title, and the Baltimore Orioles to win their fifth World Series title - and also...
, and finished in eighth place in the Most Valuable Player Award balloting results. Sanguillen edged out Johnny Bench on The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
National League All-Star Team in , the only time between and that Bench was not selected. He was also a close friend of the late Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
. Sanguillen was the only member of the Pirates not to attend Clemente's funeral, choosing instead to dive the waters where Clemente's plane had crashed in a futile effort to find his friend.
Sanguillen currently operates "Manny's BBQ", a barbecue-style concession stand at the Pirates' current home, PNC Park
PNC Park
PNC Park is a baseball park located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, after the controlled implosion of the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium...
. He sits in a chair greeting fans in line to buy food, signing autographs and posing for photos.