Willie Montañez
Encyclopedia
Guillermo Montañez Naranjo (born April 1, 1948) is a former Major League Baseball
first baseman
. Even though he was productive, Montañez often carried the label "hot dog" for the whimsical manner in which he approached the game. After hitting home run
s, he would trot very slowly around the bases, shuffling his feet on occasion. When catching infield fly balls, he would "snatch" the ball out of the air with his gloved hand and quickly shift glove and ball to the opposite hip, as if putting a gun in a holster. After receiving an attempted pickoff throw from the pitcher, he would sometimes repeatedly tag the baserunner who had safely returned to base. Antics such as these would irritate some teammates and opponents alike, and play to mixed results with the fans.
, and was originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals
as an amateur in 1965. After one season with the Florida Rookie League Cardinals, he was selected by the California Angels in the 1965 rule 5 draft
, and made his major league debut with the Angels in their 1966 season opener as a pinch runner
for Norm Siebern
in the 14th inning. The Chicago White Sox
won the game in the bottom of the inning before Montañez could log an at bat, however, he did have two at bats without a hit with the Angels before being returned to the Cardinals on May 5.
, Byron Browne
, Joe Hoerner
and Tim McCarver
to the Philadelphia Phillies
for Dick Allen
, Jerry Johnson
and Cookie Rojas
. When Curt Flood refused to report to his new team, the Cards sent Montañez and Jim Browning to the Phillies to complete the trade. He appeared in eighteen games with the Phillies in 1970, mostly in the outfield
, and collected three runs batted in and scored three runs
.
In 1971, Montañez was tabbed as the starting center fielder
for the Phillies, and responded with a career-high 30 home runs, 99 RBIs and a league leading thirteen sacrifice flies. He finished second behind Atlanta Braves
catcher
Earl Williams in the National League Rookie of the Year
balloting.
In 1972, Montañez led the National League
in doubles
(39), and tied for the league lead in outfield assists
with fifteen. With Del Unser
's arrival in Philadelphia in 1973, Montañez returned to his natural position at first base where he stayed for the remainder of his career.
Montañez batted over .300 for the first time in his career in 1974 (.304). The Phillies traded Montanez to the San Francisco Giants in May 1975 for Garry Maddox.
for the second of his three consecutive seasons batting over .300. He also collected a career high 101 RBIs between his two teams, and emerged as one of the league's top fielding first basemen, leading the league first basemen in assists for the first of three times in his career (1975, 1976 & 1978).
with Jake Brown
, Mike Eden and Craig Robinson
for Darrell Evans
and Marty Perez
on June 13, 1976. As a result, Montañez played in an unusual 163 games. At the time of the trade, Montañez had appeared in sixty games for the Giants. He then appeared in 103 games for the Braves, bringing his total to 163 games in a 162-game season. He was named first baseman on The Sporting News
NL All-Star team.
The Braves lost 101 games in 1977, and Montañez was selected as the team's sole representative at the 1977 All-Star Game
. He went 0 for 2 in his only All-Star
game.
. The Texas Rangers
sent Adrian Devine
, Tommy Boggs
, and Eddie Miller
to the Braves, a player to be named later and Tom Grieve
to the Mets and Bert Blyleven
to the Pittsburgh Pirates
. The Pirates sent Al Oliver
and Nelson Norman
to the Rangers. The Mets sent Jon Matlack
to the Rangers and John Milner
to the Pirates. The Rangers later sent Ken Henderson
(March 15, 1978) to the Mets to complete the trade.
Montañez found himself, again, on a last place team as the 1978 Mets
narrowly avoided losing 100 games themselves. However, Montañez emerged as one of the few bright spots on the team, leading it with seventeen home runs and 96 RBIs.
for Tucker Ashford
, Joe Carroll and future Hall of Famer
Gaylord Perry
.
were in a tight division race with the Philadelphia Phillies throughout the season. They completed a deadline deal for Montañez on August 31, 1980 for Tony Phillips
and cash. In fourteen games with the Montreal Expos
, Montañez batted .211 with one RBI.
Montañez had a career .992 fielding percentage
at first base. From 1975-78 he collected 393 RBIs.
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...
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...
. Even though he was productive, Montañez often carried the label "hot dog" for the whimsical manner in which he approached the game. After hitting 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, he would trot very slowly around the bases, shuffling his feet on occasion. When catching infield fly balls, he would "snatch" the ball out of the air with his gloved hand and quickly shift glove and ball to the opposite hip, as if putting a gun in a holster. After receiving an attempted pickoff throw from the pitcher, he would sometimes repeatedly tag the baserunner who had safely returned to base. Antics such as these would irritate some teammates and opponents alike, and play to mixed results with the fans.
California Angels
Montañez was born in in Catano, Puerto RicoCataño, Puerto Rico
Cataño is a municipality located on northern coast of Puerto Rico bordering the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent to the north and east by San Juan; north of Bayamón and Guaynabo; east of Toa Baja and west of Guaynabo and is part of the San Juan Metropolitan Area. Cataño is spread over 7 wards and...
, and was originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
as an amateur in 1965. After one season with the Florida Rookie League Cardinals, he was selected by the California Angels in the 1965 rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
, and made his major league debut with the Angels in their 1966 season opener as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
for Norm Siebern
Norm Siebern
Norman Leroy Siebern was a Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox from to . His best season came in with the A's, when he hit 25 home runs, had 117 runs batted in and a .308...
in the 14th inning. The Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
won the game in the bottom of the inning before Montañez could log an at bat, however, he did have two at bats without a hit with the Angels before being returned to the Cardinals on May 5.
Philadelphia Phillies
On October 7, 1969, the Cardinals traded Curt FloodCurt Flood
Curtis Charles Flood was a Major League Baseball player who spent most of his career as a center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. A defensive standout, he led the National League in putouts four times and in fielding percentage twice, winning Gold Glove Awards in his last seven full seasons...
, Byron Browne
Byron Browne
Byron Ellis Browne is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Browne was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent in 1963. In his first Major League at-bat, Browne lined out in the second inning of Sandy Koufax's 1965 perfect game. Browne had the dubious distinction of...
, Joe Hoerner
Joe Hoerner
Joseph Walter Hoerner was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. A native of Dubuque, Iowa, the left-hander was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent before the 1957 season. He played for the Houston Colt .45s , St...
and Tim McCarver
Tim McCarver
James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Dick Allen
Dick Allen
Richard Anthony Allen is a former Major League Baseball player and R&B singer. He played first and third base and outfield in Major League Baseball and ranked among his sport's top offensive producers of the 1960s and early 1970s...
, Jerry Johnson
Jerry Johnson (baseball)
Jerry Michael Johnson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from through . He batted and threw right-handed.-Third baseman:Johnson was signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent third baseman in...
and Cookie Rojas
Cookie Rojas
Octavio Victor Rojas Rivas , better known as Cookie Rojas, is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and outfielder who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals. After retiring as a player he went on to both coach and manage in the...
. When Curt Flood refused to report to his new team, the Cards sent Montañez and Jim Browning to the Phillies to complete the trade. He appeared in eighteen games with the Phillies in 1970, mostly in 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 collected three runs batted in and scored three runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
.
In 1971, Montañez was tabbed as the starting 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...
for the Phillies, and responded with a career-high 30 home runs, 99 RBIs and a league leading thirteen sacrifice flies. He finished second behind Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
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...
Earl Williams in the National League Rookie of the Year
MLB Rookie of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
balloting.
In 1972, Montañez led the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
(39), and tied for the league lead in outfield 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...
with fifteen. With Del Unser
Del Unser
Delbert Bernard Unser is a retired Major League Baseball center fielder and utility player who had a 15-year career from 1968 to 1982. Unser played for the Washington Senators from 1968 to 1971 and the Cleveland Indians in 1972...
's arrival in Philadelphia in 1973, Montañez returned to his natural position at first base where he stayed for the remainder of his career.
Montañez batted over .300 for the first time in his career in 1974 (.304). The Phillies traded Montanez to the San Francisco Giants in May 1975 for Garry Maddox.
San Francisco Giants
Though he was batting .286 with the Phillies at the time of the trade, he ended the season with a .302 batting averageBatting 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 :...
for the second of his three consecutive seasons batting over .300. He also collected a career high 101 RBIs between his two teams, and emerged as one of the league's top fielding first basemen, leading the league first basemen in assists for the first of three times in his career (1975, 1976 & 1978).
Atlanta Braves
For the second season in a row, Montañez found himself changing teams in the middle of the season when the Giants sent him to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
with Jake Brown
Jake Brown
Jake 'Ironman' Brown is an Australian skateboarder who competes in the X Games. He began competing in 1996, turning pro the following year.Brown's sponsors are Blind, DVS, Spitfire, Independent, and Monster Energy....
, Mike Eden and Craig Robinson
Craig Robinson (baseball)
Craig George Robinson is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , Atlanta Braves , and San Francisco Giants . He batted and threw right-handed....
for Darrell Evans
Darrell Evans
Darrell Wayne Evans is a former third baseman and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1969 to 1989 with the Atlanta Braves , San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers . He is also the former manager and director of player personnel for the Victoria Seals of the Golden Baseball...
and Marty Perez
Marty Perez
Martin Roman Perez Jr. was a shortstop and second baseman for the California Angels , Atlanta Braves , San Francisco Giants , New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics ....
on June 13, 1976. As a result, Montañez played in an unusual 163 games. At the time of the trade, Montañez had appeared in sixty games for the Giants. He then appeared in 103 games for the Braves, bringing his total to 163 games in a 162-game season. He was named first baseman 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"...
NL All-Star team.
The Braves lost 101 games in 1977, and Montañez was selected as the team's sole representative at the 1977 All-Star Game
1977 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1977 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 48th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 19, 1977, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, New York the...
. He went 0 for 2 in his only 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...
game.
New York Mets
Montañez was included in an unusual four team off-season trade prior to the 1978 season that had him go from the Atlanta Braves to 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...
. 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...
sent Adrian Devine
Adrian Devine
Paul Adrian Devine was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1973 to 1980 for the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers. Devine primarily pitched in relief and had his best season in 1977 with the Rangers when he posted a win-loss record of 11–6 with 15 saves. He and his wife breed Cavalier King...
, Tommy Boggs
Tommy Boggs
Thomas Winton Boggs is a former professional baseball pitcher. Boggs pitched in all or part of nine seasons in Major League Baseball between 1976 and 1985....
, and Eddie Miller
Eddie Miller (outfielder)
Edward Lee Miller , is a retired Major League Baseball player who played outfielder from - for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, and San Diego Padres. Miller's only major league home run came in his last career at bat.-External links:...
to the Braves, a player to be named later and Tom Grieve
Tom Grieve
Thomas Alan Grieve was a Major League Baseball player from 1970-1979 for the Washington Senators, Texas Rangers, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals...
to the Mets and Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and was best known for his curveball. Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011...
to 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...
. The Pirates sent Al Oliver
Al Oliver
Albert Oliver, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. Over the course of his 18-year career, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , Montreal Expos , San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays...
and Nelson Norman
Nelson Norman
Nelson Augusto Norman is a former Major League Baseball shortstop, minor league coach and manager. He played all or part of six seasons in the major leagues between and .- Pittsburgh Pirates :...
to the Rangers. The Mets sent Jon Matlack
Jon Matlack
Jonathan Trumpbour Matlack is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...
to the Rangers and John Milner
John Milner
John David Milner was an American first baseman and left fielder in Major League Baseball. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, he grew up a huge Hank Aaron fan, even appropriating his idol's nickname, "The Hammer." He was a member of the "We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates team that won the World Series...
to the Pirates. The Rangers later sent Ken Henderson
Ken Henderson
Kenneth Joseph Henderson was an outfielder for the San Francisco Giants , Chicago White Sox , Atlanta Braves , Texas Rangers , New York Mets , Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs .He helped the Giants to win the National League Western Division in 1971 and the Reds to win the NL West in...
(March 15, 1978) to the Mets to complete the trade.
Montañez found himself, again, on a last place team as the 1978 Mets
1978 New York Mets season
The 1978 New York Mets season was the 17th regular season for the Mets, who played their home games at Shea Stadium. Led by manager Joe Torre, the team had a 66–96 record yielding a sixth place finish in the National League East.-Offseason:...
narrowly avoided losing 100 games themselves. However, Montañez emerged as one of the few bright spots on the team, leading it with seventeen home runs and 96 RBIs.
Texas Rangers
Montañez's fortunes with the Mets turned around substantially in 1979. He was batting only .234 with five home runs and 47 RBIs when the Mets sent him to the Texas Rangers for two players to be named later. In 71 fewer games with the Rangers, he swatted eight home runs and batted .319. Following the season, he was traded to the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for Tucker Ashford
Tucker Ashford
Thomas Steven Ashford was a third baseman for the San Diego Padres , Texas Rangers , New York Yankees , New York Mets and Kansas City Royals ....
, Joe Carroll and future Hall of Famer
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
Gaylord Perry
Gaylord Perry
Gaylord Jackson Perry is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1962-1983 for eight different teams in his career. During a 22-year baseball career, Perry compiled 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 earned run average...
.
Montreal Expos
The 1980 Montreal Expos1980 Montreal Expos season
- Offseason :* December 7, 1979: Dan Schatzeder was traded by the Expos to the Detroit Tigers for Ron LeFlore.* December 6, 1979: Rowland Office was signed as a free agent by the Expos....
were in a tight division race with the Philadelphia Phillies throughout the season. They completed a deadline deal for Montañez on August 31, 1980 for Tony Phillips
Tony Phillips
Keith Anthony Phillips is a former Major League Baseball utility player who had an 18-year career from to . He played regularly at three infield positions, primarily as a second baseman, but also had significant time as a shortstop and third baseman...
and cash. In fourteen games with the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
, Montañez batted .211 with one RBI.
Return to Philadelphia
On August 20, 1981, he was, again, involved in a trade with John Milner— this time even up, going from the Montreal Expos to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was released by the Pirates on July 1, 1982. Ironically, Milner was released by the Expos four days later, and signed with the Pirates later in the month. Montañez signed with the Phillies for the remainder of the season, at the end of which, he retired.Montañez had a career .992 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...
at first base. From 1975-78 he collected 393 RBIs.