Juan Berenguer
Encyclopedia
Juan Bautista Berenguer (born November 30, 1954, in Aguadulce, Panama) was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
for the New York Mets
, Atlanta Braves
, Detroit Tigers
, Minnesota Twins
and other teams. He had a career record of 67 wins and 62 losses. A mean-looking, husky Panamanian (5'11, 250) with long hair and a mustache, he was called "Pancho Villa" by his teammates. Twins fans admiringly referred to him as "Senor Smoke" or "El Gasolino," due to his mid-90s mph fastball.
Minnesota Twins and 8-4 (3.96) in 1988. Extremely wild as a youngster, he learned to harness his 90-plus-mph fastball, which he liked to throw inside, and added a forkball. His effectiveness was aided by his intimidating appearance and disposition.
In 1987, Berenguer also started a local craze due to his on-field dance, which fans dubbed "The Berenguer Boogie."
Berenguer suffered one of Major League Baseball's oddest off-field injuries while pitching for Atlanta in 1991. On an off day, while he was home wrestling with his kids, he broke his pitching arm and ended up missing the remainder of the season, also missing out on the Braves' Cinderella run to the World Series that year.
After his MLB career ended, Berenguer continued to play in the minor leagues. After spending 1993 and part of 1994 in the Mexican League, he returned to Minnesota, playing for the independent Minneapolis Loons and Southern Minny Stars. He signed to pitch for the Duluth-Superior Dukes of the Northern League prior to the 1998 season, but never played for them.
of the United States Hockey League
.
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...
pitcher
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...
for 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...
, 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....
, 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...
, Minnesota 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...
and other teams. He had a career record of 67 wins and 62 losses. A mean-looking, husky Panamanian (5'11, 250) with long hair and a mustache, he was called "Pancho Villa" by his teammates. Twins fans admiringly referred to him as "Senor Smoke" or "El Gasolino," due to his mid-90s mph fastball.
Playing career
Berenguer signed with the Mets as an amateur free agent in 1975. He went 8-1 (3.94) for the 1987 World Champion1987 World Series
The 1987 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins versus the St. Louis Cardinals.Minnesota was victorious in a World Series that was the first in which the home team won every game...
Minnesota Twins and 8-4 (3.96) in 1988. Extremely wild as a youngster, he learned to harness his 90-plus-mph fastball, which he liked to throw inside, and added a forkball. His effectiveness was aided by his intimidating appearance and disposition.
In 1987, Berenguer also started a local craze due to his on-field dance, which fans dubbed "The Berenguer Boogie."
Berenguer suffered one of Major League Baseball's oddest off-field injuries while pitching for Atlanta in 1991. On an off day, while he was home wrestling with his kids, he broke his pitching arm and ended up missing the remainder of the season, also missing out on the Braves' Cinderella run to the World Series that year.
After his MLB career ended, Berenguer continued to play in the minor leagues. After spending 1993 and part of 1994 in the Mexican League, he returned to Minnesota, playing for the independent Minneapolis Loons and Southern Minny Stars. He signed to pitch for the Duluth-Superior Dukes of the Northern League prior to the 1998 season, but never played for them.
Personal life
Berenguer married Denise Colacurcio. His son Chris is a hockey player with the Sioux Falls StampedeSioux Falls Stampede
The Sioux Falls Stampede is a Tier 1 junior ice hockey team playing in the West Division of the United States Hockey League . Based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Stampede plays its home games at the Sioux Falls Arena....
of the United States Hockey League
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger...
.