Willy Miranda
Encyclopedia
Guillermo "Willy" Miranda Perez (May 24, 1926 — September 7, 1996) was a Cuban-born
professional baseball
player who played shortstop
in the Major Leagues
from 1951–1959. Born in Velasco, Cuba, Miranda was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed; he was listed at 5 inch and 150 lb (68 kg).
He was a popular shortstop in the Cuban professional winter league, distinguishing himself as an outstanding fielder. He became even more famous in his native country for being the first Cuban player to play for the New York Yankees
, particularly when this took place during the decade of the 1950s, when the Yankees won six World Series
. Miranda was on the Yankee roster for the 1953 World Series
but did not appear in the Fall Classic. He played for nine years in the majors for the Yankees, Washington Senators
, Chicago White Sox
and St. Louis Browns/Baltimore Orioles
. Frequently traded early in his career, he was passed back and forth between the White Sox and Browns during the season: traded by Chicago to St. Louis on June 15, 1952; claimed on waivers by the White Sox from the Browns 13 days later; then traded back to the Browns in October 1952. Finally, in June 1953, the Browns broke the cycle by selling Miranda's contract to the Yankees.
In , Miranda led the American League
in double plays. He died at the age of 70 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
professional baseball
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....
player who played shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
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...
from 1951–1959. Born in Velasco, Cuba, Miranda was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed; he was listed at 5 inch and 150 lb (68 kg).
He was a popular shortstop in the Cuban professional winter league, distinguishing himself as an outstanding fielder. He became even more famous in his native country for being the first Cuban player to play for 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...
, particularly when this took place during the decade of the 1950s, when the Yankees won six 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...
. Miranda was on the Yankee roster for the 1953 World Series
1953 World Series
The 1953 World Series matched the four-time defending champion New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a rematch of the 1952 Series. The Yankees won in six games for their fifth straight title—a mark which has not been equalled—and their sixteenth overall...
but did not appear in the Fall Classic. He played for nine years in the majors for the Yankees, Washington Senators
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...
, 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...
and St. Louis Browns/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...
. Frequently traded early in his career, he was passed back and forth between the White Sox and Browns during the season: traded by Chicago to St. Louis on June 15, 1952; claimed on waivers by the White Sox from the Browns 13 days later; then traded back to the Browns in October 1952. Finally, in June 1953, the Browns broke the cycle by selling Miranda's contract to the Yankees.
In , Miranda led the 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...
in double plays. He died at the age of 70 in Baltimore, Maryland.