José Báez
Encyclopedia
José Antonio Mota Báez (born December 31, 1953 in San Cristóbal
, Dominican Republic
) is a former Major League Baseball
player.
in as an amateur free agent.
in . He was the favorite for the second basemen spot going into the spring training
.
In his debut on April 6, against the California Angels, Báez delivered the first hit in Mariners history. He finished the '77 season batting .259 with 79 hits, one home run, 14 doubles and 17 RBIs in 91 games.
With the Mariners in he hit .160 in 50 at bats.
for a player to be named later (eventually revealed to be Mike Potter
). Báez spent the rest of the season with the Triple-A Springfield Redbirds
.
He did not play another major league game before being released in .
, José Mota, and Manny Mota
.
San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic
San Cristóbal is a municipality and the capital of the San Cristóbal province in the Dominican Republic. Within the municipality there is one municipal district : Hato Damas.-Sectors:*5 de abril*Canastica*El Pomier...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
) is a former 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...
player.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Báez was signed by the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in as an amateur free agent.
Seattle Mariners
Báez was purchased from the Dodgers by the Seattle MarinersSeattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in . He was the favorite for the second basemen spot going into the spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
.
In his debut on April 6, against the California Angels, Báez delivered the first hit in Mariners history. He finished the '77 season batting .259 with 79 hits, one home run, 14 doubles and 17 RBIs in 91 games.
With the Mariners in he hit .160 in 50 at bats.
St. Louis Cardinals
Báez was later traded to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. 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...
for a player to be named later (eventually revealed to be Mike Potter
Mike Potter (baseball)
Michael Gary Potter is a former right-handed major league baseball outfielder who played from to for the St. Louis Cardinals....
). Báez spent the rest of the season with the Triple-A Springfield Redbirds
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club, and is owned by the Cardinals. The club plays at Hammons Field.The Springfield Cardinals...
.
He did not play another major league game before being released in .
Personal life
He is the cousin of former Major League players Andy MotaAndy Mota
Andrés Alberto Mota Matos is a former Major League Baseball player. He was initially drafted in the sixth round of the 1985 amateur draft by the Kansas City Royals, but did not sign. In 1987 he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the twelfth round...
, José Mota, and Manny Mota
Manny Mota
Manuel Rafael Mota Geronimo, more commonly known as Manny Mota was a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos and most notably the Los Angeles Dodgers, best known for his pinch hitting abilities...
.