Bert Campaneris
Encyclopedia
Dagoberto Campaneris Blanco (born March 9, 1942 in Pueblo Nuevo
, Cuba
), nicknamed "Campy", is a former shortstop
in Major League Baseball
who played for four American League
teams, primarily the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics
. One of the mainstays of the Athletics' championship teams of 1971 to 1975, he holds the A's franchise records for career games played
(1795), hits
(1882) and at bat
s (7180). He led the AL in stolen base
s six times from 1965 to 1972 and retired with the seventh most steals in history (649). He led the league in putout
s three times, and ended his career among the major league leaders in games (5th, 2097) and double play
s (7th, 1186) at his position. He holds the record for most errors since 1940, with 388.
s, the first coming on the first pitch thrown to him by Jim Kaat
. He is one of four players in major league history to hit two homers in his first game; Bob Nieman
, Mark Quinn
, and J.P. Arencibia are the only others to accomplish this feat.
In 1965, Campaneris led Kansas City in batting average
(.270), and led the league in triples
(12) and stolen bases (51), the latter mark being the highest total by an Athletic since Eddie Collins
stole 58 in . In he finished 10th in the voting for the AL's Most Valuable Player
award after having a similar season at the plate, but playing more regularly at shortstop.
When the A's moved to Oakland
in , he had perhaps his finest year, leading the league in hits (177), steals (62), and at bats (642); the last mark was an Oakland record until Johnny Damon
broke it in . Campaneris enjoyed another fine year in , batting .279 with career highs of 22 home runs and 64 runs batted in
while leading the league in steals for the fifth time (42) and scoring 97 runs. He improved consistently on defense; his six double plays in an extra-inning game on September 13 of that year set an AL record, and in he led AL shortstops with 795 total chances
while also breaking Collins' franchise record of 376 steals. An avid bunter, he led the league in sacrifice hit
s in 1972 (20), (40) and (25).
In his postseason career he had 11 RBI with 3 home runs, 4 doubles
and a triple, scored 15 runs, and stole 6 bases in 37 games. In Game 2 of the 1972 American League Championship Series
against the Detroit Tigers
, Campaneris already had three hits, two steals and two runs when in the 7th inning he faced pitcher Lerrin LaGrow
. After a pitch hit him in the ankle, Campaneris threw his bat at LaGrow. The benches cleared, with Detroit manager Billy Martin
going after Campaneris; both Campaneris and LaGrow were ejected. He was fined and suspended for the rest of the ALCS, as well as the first seven games of the next season, but was permitted to play in the World Series
win over the Cincinnati Reds
.
In the 1973 American League Championship Series
, in which the A's defeated the Baltimore Orioles
, he led off Game 2 with a home run, and won Game 3
with a leadoff home run in the 11th inning; in Game 7 of that year's World Series
against the New York Mets
, both he and Reggie Jackson
hit two-run home runs in the third inning off Jon Matlack
—the only two home runs Oakland would hit the entire series. The A's took a 4-0 lead and went on to win the game and repeat as world champions; Campaneris caught Wayne Garrett
's pop-up for the final out of the Series. In he broke Jimmy Dykes
' franchise mark for career at bats (6023), and in he broke Dykes' mark for games played (1702), as well as Al Simmons
' Athletics record of 1827 career hits.
After the 1976 season, he signed with the Texas Rangers
, but he saw his playing time reduced in 1978. In May 1979 he was traded to the California Angels
, and he split time at shortstop over the next two seasons with Jim Anderson
and Freddie Patek
before playing as a reserve third baseman
in 1981. After spending 1982 in the Mexican League, Campaneris returned to the majors for a last hurrah in with Billy Martin's New York Yankees
. He batted a career-high .322 in 60 games at second
and third base before retiring.
In his 19-year career Campaneris batted .259 with 79 home runs, 646 RBI, 1181 runs, 2249 hits, 313 doubles, and 86 triples in 2328 games. His 649 stolen bases placed him 7th in major league history, and behind only Ty Cobb
and Eddie Collins in the AL. His Athletics record of 566 steals was broken by Rickey Henderson
in ; Henderson also surpassed his Oakland records for career triples and at bats. Campaneris retains the Athletics franchise records for career games (1702), putouts (2932), assists
(5021) and double plays (934) at shortstop.
in a major league game. On the mound, he pitched
ambidextrously
, throwing lefty to left-handers, and switched against right-handers. Since then, César Tovar
(Twins
), Scott Sheldon
(Rangers
) and Shane Halter
(Tigers
, 2000) have joined this select list of nine-position players in a major league game.
, and often participates in Old-Timers' games around the country. He also conducts baseball camps and is an active participant in the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, often playing in charity golf tournaments.
Matanzas Province
Matanzas is one of the provinces of Cuba. Major towns in the province include Cárdenas, Colón, Jovellanos and the capital of the same name, Matanzas...
, Cuba
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...
), nicknamed "Campy", is a former 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 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...
who played for four 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...
teams, primarily the Kansas City and 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....
. One of the mainstays of the Athletics' championship teams of 1971 to 1975, he holds the A's franchise records for career games played
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,...
(1795), 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....
(1882) and at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s (7180). He led the AL in stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s six times from 1965 to 1972 and retired with the seventh most steals in history (649). He led the league in putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s three times, and ended his career among the major league leaders in games (5th, 2097) and double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s (7th, 1186) at his position. He holds the record for most errors since 1940, with 388.
Baseball career
A small, skinny player at 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) and 160 pounds (73 kg), the Cuban-born Campaneris was a key figure on the A's of the 1960s and 1970s. In his debut with Kansas City on July 23, 1964, Campaneris belted two home runHome 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, the first coming on the first pitch thrown to him by Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
. He is one of four players in major league history to hit two homers in his first game; Bob Nieman
Bob Nieman
Robert Charles Nieman was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the St. Louis Browns , Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles , St. Louis Cardinals , Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants...
, Mark Quinn
Mark Quinn
Mark David Quinn is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Kansas City Royals. Quinn was drafted in the 11th round of the 1995 Amateur Draft after playing two seasons for the Rice University Owls. He played for the Royals between 1999-2002...
, and J.P. Arencibia are the only others to accomplish this feat.
In 1965, Campaneris led Kansas City in 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 :...
(.270), and led the league in triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
(12) and stolen bases (51), the latter mark being the highest total by an Athletic since Eddie Collins
Eddie Collins
Edward Trowbridge Collins, Sr. , nicknamed "Cocky", was an American Major League Baseball second baseman, manager and executive...
stole 58 in . In he finished 10th in the voting for the AL's Most Valuable Player
MLB Most Valuable Player Award
The Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
award after having a similar season at the plate, but playing more regularly at shortstop.
When the A's moved to Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
in , he had perhaps his finest year, leading the league in hits (177), steals (62), and at bats (642); the last mark was an Oakland record until Johnny Damon
Johnny Damon
Johnny David Damon is an American professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter. From 2000–2008, he was third among active players in runs and seventh in hits and stolen bases . He is currently second among active leaders in triples , five behind Carl Crawford...
broke it in . Campaneris enjoyed another fine year in , batting .279 with career highs of 22 home runs and 64 runs batted in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
while leading the league in steals for the fifth time (42) and scoring 97 runs. He improved consistently on defense; his six double plays in an extra-inning game on September 13 of that year set an AL record, and in he led AL shortstops with 795 total chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
while also breaking Collins' franchise record of 376 steals. An avid bunter, he led the league in sacrifice hit
Sacrifice hit
In baseball, a sacrifice bunt is a batter's act of deliberately bunting the ball in a manner that allows a runner on base to advance to another base. The batter is almost always sacrificed but sometimes reaches base due to an error or fielder's choice...
s in 1972 (20), (40) and (25).
In his postseason career he had 11 RBI with 3 home runs, 4 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....
and a triple, scored 15 runs, and stole 6 bases in 37 games. In Game 2 of the 1972 American League Championship Series
1972 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 7, 1972 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CaliforniaGame 1 pitted ace pitchers Catfish Hunter for the A's and Mickey Lolich for the Tigers, and, as expected, both were brilliant...
against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, Campaneris already had three hits, two steals and two runs when in the 7th inning he faced pitcher Lerrin LaGrow
Lerrin LaGrow
Lerrin Harris LaGrow was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played 10 seasons in the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers , St...
. After a pitch hit him in the ankle, Campaneris threw his bat at LaGrow. The benches cleared, with Detroit manager 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...
going after Campaneris; both Campaneris and LaGrow were ejected. He was fined and suspended for the rest of the ALCS, as well as the first seven games of the next season, but was permitted to play in the World Series
1972 World Series
The 1972 World Series matched the American League champion Oakland Athletics against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds, with the A's winning in seven games. These two teams would meet again in the fall classic eighteen years later...
win over the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
In the 1973 American League Championship Series
1973 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 6, 1973 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MarylandIn Game 1, Jim Palmer spent 16 minutes retiring the side in the top of the first inning. He walked the first two batters and struck out the next three. The Orioles went to work against lefty Vida Blue and his...
, in which the A's defeated 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 led off Game 2 with a home run, and won Game 3
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
with a leadoff home run in the 11th inning; in Game 7 of that year's World Series
1973 World Series
The 1973 World Series matched the defending champion Oakland Athletics against the New York Mets, with the A's winning in seven games to repeat as World Champions....
against the New York Mets
New 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...
, both he and Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
hit two-run home runs in the third inning off Jon Matlack
Jon Matlack
Jonathan Trumpbour Matlack is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...
—the only two home runs Oakland would hit the entire series. The A's took a 4-0 lead and went on to win the game and repeat as world champions; Campaneris caught Wayne Garrett
Wayne Garrett
Ronald Wayne Garrett was the New York Mets starting third baseman from 1972 through 1975. Garrett also saw occasional duty as a second baseman and as a shortstop....
's pop-up for the final out of the Series. In he broke Jimmy Dykes
Jimmy Dykes
James Joseph Dykes was an American third and second baseman, manager and coach in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago White Sox from 1918 to 1939...
' franchise mark for career at bats (6023), and in he broke Dykes' mark for games played (1702), as well as Al Simmons
Al Simmons
Aloysius Harry Simmons , born Aloisius Szymanski in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was an American baseball player. He played for two decades in the major leagues as an outfielder, and had his best years as a member of Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics during the 1930's...
' Athletics record of 1827 career hits.
After the 1976 season, he signed with 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...
, but he saw his playing time reduced in 1978. In May 1979 he was traded to the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, and he split time at shortstop over the next two seasons with Jim Anderson
Jim Anderson (baseball)
James Lea Anderson is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. On June 3, he was drafted by the California Angels in the 2nd round of the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft. He played for the Angels , Seattle Mariners , and Texas Rangers .He made his major league debut on July 2, 1978, at Anaheim...
and Freddie Patek
Freddie Patek
Frederick Joseph Patek is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. At 5'5" tall , he was the shortest player of his time.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
before playing as a reserve third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
in 1981. After spending 1982 in the Mexican League, Campaneris returned to the majors for a last hurrah in with Billy Martin's 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...
. He batted a career-high .322 in 60 games at second
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
and third base before retiring.
In his 19-year career Campaneris batted .259 with 79 home runs, 646 RBI, 1181 runs, 2249 hits, 313 doubles, and 86 triples in 2328 games. His 649 stolen bases placed him 7th in major league history, and behind only Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
and Eddie Collins in the AL. His Athletics record of 566 steals was broken by Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
in ; Henderson also surpassed his Oakland records for career triples and at bats. Campaneris retains the Athletics franchise records for career games (1702), putouts (2932), 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...
(5021) and double plays (934) at shortstop.
Playing all nine positions
On September 8, 1965, as part of a special promotion featuring the popular young player, Campaneris became the first player to play every positionBaseball positions
There are 9 fielding positions in baseball. Each position conventionally has an associated number which is used to score putouts...
in a major league game. On the mound, he pitched
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...
ambidextrously
Cross-dominance
Cross-dominance, also known as mixed-handedness, mixed dominance, or hand-confusion, is a motor skill manifestation where a person favors one hand for some tasks and the other hand for others. For example, a cross-dominant person might write with the left hand but throw primarily with the right...
, throwing lefty to left-handers, and switched against right-handers. Since then, César Tovar
César Tovar
César Leonardo Tovar , nicknamed "Pepito" and "Mr. Versatility", was a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins , Philadelphia Phillies , Texas Rangers , Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees...
(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...
), Scott Sheldon
Scott Sheldon
Scott Patrick Sheldon is a former Major League Baseball third baseman/shortstop and right-handed batter who played for the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers...
(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...
) and Shane Halter
Shane Halter
Shane David Halter is a former Major League Baseball infielder/outfielder and right-handed batter.-High school years:...
(Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, 2000) have joined this select list of nine-position players in a major league game.
Post-baseball career
Campaneris lives in Scottsdale, ArizonaScottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
, and often participates in Old-Timers' games around the country. He also conducts baseball camps and is an active participant in the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, often playing in charity golf tournaments.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball stolen base records
- Home run in first Major League at-batHome run in first at-batThis is a list of Major League Baseball players who hit a home run in their first major league at bat.Bill Duggleby, Jeremy Hermida, Kevin Kouzmanoff, and Daniel Nava are the only players to hit a grand slam in their first at bat...
- List of major league players with 2,000 hits
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
- List of Major League Baseball stolen base champions
- List of Major League Baseball triples champions
- Major League Baseball titles leadersMajor League Baseball titles leadersAt the end of each Major League Baseball season, the league leaders of various statistical categories are announced. Leading the league in a particular category is referred to as a title....
External links
- BaseballLibrary - career highlights