Dámaso Blanco
Encyclopedia
Dámaso Blanco Caripe is a former Major League Baseball
third baseman
/shortstop
and right-handed batter who played for the San Francisco Giants
(1972–74).
Blanco was the classic example of the fine fielder with a light bat. He was a decent hitter in the minors
, where his batting
and on-base
averages were both quite respectable. He was 7-for-20 (.350) in 1972 (his first two hits coming in the same game, against Tom Phoebus
of the Chicago Cubs
on June 11), but was 0-for-13 in limited opportunities the next two seasons.
In parts of three seasons as a backup with the Giants, Blanco hit .212 (7-for-33) with two runs batted in, nine runs, one double
and 3 stolen base
s in 72 games. In the field he handled 46 of 48 total chances
successfully (.958) and participated in 3 double plays.
He resumed his career in the Venezuelan Winter League, hitting .272 (704-for-2623) with 198 RBI, 289 runs, 72 doubles, 28 triples
, and 70 steals in 754 games (1960–77).
After retiring at age 36, Blanco scouted briefly for the Cincinnati Reds
before beginning a successful career as a journalist and baseball broadcaster
in his native Venezuela.
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...
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...
/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...
and right-handed batter who played for 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....
(1972–74).
Blanco was the classic example of the fine fielder with a light bat. He was a decent hitter in the minors
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...
, where his batting
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 :...
and on-base
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
averages were both quite respectable. He was 7-for-20 (.350) in 1972 (his first two hits coming in the same game, against Tom Phoebus
Tom Phoebus
Thomas Harold Phoebus , is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Baltimore Orioles , San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs...
of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
on June 11), but was 0-for-13 in limited opportunities the next two seasons.
In parts of three seasons as a backup with the Giants, Blanco hit .212 (7-for-33) with two runs batted in, nine runs, one double
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 3 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 in 72 games. In the field he handled 46 of 48 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...
successfully (.958) and participated in 3 double plays.
He resumed his career in the Venezuelan Winter League, hitting .272 (704-for-2623) with 198 RBI, 289 runs, 72 doubles, 28 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....
, and 70 steals in 754 games (1960–77).
After retiring at age 36, Blanco scouted briefly for 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....
before beginning a successful career as a journalist and baseball broadcaster
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
in his native Venezuela.