Juan Bernhardt
Encyclopedia
Juan Ramón Bernhardt Coradin (born August 31, 1953 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic) is a retired professional baseball
player whose career spanned 13 seasons. Bernhardt spent parts of four seasons in Major League Baseball
(MLB) with the New York Yankees
(1976), and the Seattle Mariners
(1977–79). As a member of the inaugural Mariners team in 1977, he hit the team's first home run
. Over his major league career, he compiled a .238 batting average
with 46 runs scored, 117 hits
, 19 doubles
, two triples
, nine home run
s, and 43 runs batted in (RBIs) in 154 games played
.
The majority of Bernhardt's career was spent in the minor leagues
. He began his professional career in 1971 with the Class-A Key West Sun Caps
. In the minors, he would go on to play for the Class-A Fort Lauderdale Yankees
(1972–73), the Double-A West Haven Yankees
(1974–75), the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (1975–76), the Triple-A San Jose Missions
(1978), the Triple-A Spokane Indians
(1979), the Triple-A Iowa Oaks (1979), the Triple-A Tabasco Plataneros
, the Triple-A Campeche Piratas/Alacranes
(1981–83), and the Triple-A Aguascalientes Rieleros. He served as a player-manager from 1981 to 1982.
as an amateur free agent
. Bernhardt made his professional baseball
debut in 1971 in the Yankees minor league
organization. With the Class-A Key West Sun Caps
that year, he batted
.249 with 25 runs scored, 82 hits
, 15 doubles
, two triples
, one home run
, and 31 runs batted in (RBIs) in 97 games played
. Defensively, Bernhardt played 54 games at third base
, 28 games at first base, five games in the outfield
, and three games at shortstop
. During the 1972 season, Bernhardt was assigned to play with the Class-A Fort Lauderdale Yankees
of the Florida State League
. In 121 games played that season, he batted .288 with 128 hits, 18 doubles, two triples, and two home runs. In the field, Bernhardt played first base, third base, and in the outfield.
Bernhardt continued playing with the Class-A Fort Lauderdale Yankees in 1973. In only 37 games played that year, he batted .337 with 34 hits, four doubles, and one home run. After the season, the New York Yankees purchased his contract, adding him to their 40-man roster. Bernhardt attended spring training
with New York in 1974, but was assigned to the Double-A West Haven Yankees
before the start of the regular season. With West Have that year, Bernhardt batted .201 with 20 runs scored, 37 hits, six doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 19 RBIs in 60 games played.
Bernhardt split the 1975 season between the Double-A West Haven Yankees, and the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. At the Double-A level, he batted .319 with 51 hits, 10 doubles, one triple, and one home run in 41 games played. In the field, he played third base, and first base. During his time with West Haven that season, he led the Eastern League in batting average. After his promotion to the Chiefs, Bernhardt batted .303 with 22 runs scored, 90 hits, 19 doubles, one triple, four home runs, and 44 RBIs in 79 games played. Defensively, he played 33 games at third base, 33 games in the outfield, and 16 games at first base. Combined between the two clubs, Bernhardt's batting average was .309.
In 1976, Bernhardt began the season with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. However, in July, the New York Yankees purchased his contract from the minor leagues when Elliott Maddox
was placed on the disabled list
. Bernhardt made his debut in Major League Baseball
on July 10, against the Chicago White Sox
, where in one at-bat, he went hitless. His first hit came on July 17, in a game against the Texas Rangers
. In August, he was sent back to the minor leagues. In September, the Yankees attempted to trade Bernhardt in exchange for Rico Carty
, but nothing ever came of it. In the majors, Bernhardt batted .190 with four hits in 21 at-bats. In the minor leagues, he batted .303 with 41 runs scored, 115 hits, 24 doubles, eight home runs, and 57 RBIs in 101 games played.
from the New York Yankees. Bernhardt made the inaugural Mariners team
out of spring training in 1977. During his first game of the season, Bernhardt got five hits, including a home run, in five at-bats. Not only was it Bernhardt's first career home run, but it was also the first home run in Mariners history. On the season, Bernhardt batted .243 with 32 runs scored, 74 hits, nine doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and 30 RBIs in 89 games played. Defensively, he played 21 games at third base, and eight games at first base. The majority of his playing time, 54 games, was spent as a designated hitter
in the Mariners lineup
.
Bernhardt split the 1978 season between the major leagues and the minor leagues. With the San Jose Missions
, who were the Seattle Mariners Triple-A affiliate at the time, he batted .274 with 13 runs scored, 26 hits, three doubles, two home runs, and 16 RBIs in 25 games played. Bernhardt made his season debut in the majors on May 12, in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays
. With the Mariners that year, he batted .230 with 13 runs scored, 38 hits, nine doubles, two home runs, and 12 RBIs in 54 games played. Bernhardt would only play one more game in the major leagues, coming on Aptil 8, 1979 in a game against the California Angels, he got one hit in one at-bat. After that, the Mariners sent Bernhardt to the minor leagues where he played with the Triple-A Spokane Indians
. In 98 games with Spokane, he batted .271 with 43 runs scored, 106 hits, 18 doubles, two triples, three home runs, and 49 RBIs.
. Bernhardt spent the rest of that season with the Iowa Oaks, who were the Triple-A affiliates of the White Sox at the time. In 25 games with the Oaks, he batted .305 with five runs scored, 18 hits, two doubles, one triple, and six RBIs. That season would prove to be Bernhardt's last in the United States
, however, from 1980 to 1983, he played in the Mexican League. In 1980, he joined the Triple-A Tabasco Plataneros
. From 1981 to 1982, Bernhardt was the player-manager for the Triple-A Campeche Piratas/Alacranes
Mexican League team, who represented Campeche, Mexico
. His final professional baseball season was in 1983 when he again played with the Campeche Triple-A team, and the Triple-A Aguascalientes Rieleros, who were also members of the Mexican League.
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 whose career spanned 13 seasons. Bernhardt spent parts of four seasons 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...
(MLB) with 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...
(1976), and the Seattle Mariners
Seattle 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...
(1977–79). As a member of the inaugural Mariners team in 1977, he hit the team's first home run
Home 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...
. Over his major league career, he compiled a .238 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 :...
with 46 runs scored, 117 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....
, 19 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....
, two 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....
, nine home run
Home 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, and 43 runs batted in (RBIs) in 154 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,...
.
The majority of Bernhardt's career was spent in the minor leagues
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...
. He began his professional career in 1971 with the Class-A Key West Sun Caps
Key West Sun Caps
The Key West Sun Caps were a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball team that existed for one season before being re-named. The team played its home games at Wickers Stadium in Key West, Florida.-History:...
. In the minors, he would go on to play for the Class-A Fort Lauderdale Yankees
Fort Lauderdale Yankees
The Fort Lauderdale Yankees, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was an American minor league baseball franchise that existed from 1962 through 1992. The team was a Class A Florida State League affiliate of the New York Yankees and won seven FSL championships during its 31 years of existence.The...
(1972–73), the Double-A West Haven Yankees
West Haven Yankees
The West Haven Yankees were a minor league baseball team located in West Haven, Connecticut from 1972 until 1982. The team played in the Eastern League. Their home stadium was Quigley Stadium....
(1974–75), the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (1975–76), the Triple-A San Jose Missions
San Jose Missions
The San Jose Missions were a minor league baseball team which played in the Pacific Coast League in 1977 and 1978. The team had been known as the Sacramento Solons prior to 1977, and played its home games in a football stadium there...
(1978), the Triple-A Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
(1979), the Triple-A Iowa Oaks (1979), the Triple-A Tabasco Plataneros
Olmecas de Tabasco
The Olmecas de Tabasco are a AAA-level baseball team based in Tabasco playing in the Mexican League. Their homefield is the Estadio Centenario 27 de Febrero in Villahermosa.-External links:*...
, the Triple-A Campeche Piratas/Alacranes
Piratas de Campeche
The Piratas de Campeche are a AAA-level baseball team playing in the Mexican League LMB based in Campeche, Campeche, Mexico.-History:...
(1981–83), and the Triple-A Aguascalientes Rieleros. He served as a player-manager from 1981 to 1982.
New York Yankees
On August 1, 1970, Bernhardt signed with the New York YankeesNew 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...
as an amateur free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. Bernhardt made his 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....
debut in 1971 in the Yankees minor league
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...
organization. With the Class-A Key West Sun Caps
Key West Sun Caps
The Key West Sun Caps were a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball team that existed for one season before being re-named. The team played its home games at Wickers Stadium in Key West, Florida.-History:...
that year, he batted
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 :...
.249 with 25 runs scored, 82 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....
, 15 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....
, two 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....
, one home run
Home 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...
, and 31 runs batted in (RBIs) in 97 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,...
. Defensively, Bernhardt played 54 games at third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
, 28 games at first base, five games in the outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
, and three games at 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...
. During the 1972 season, Bernhardt was assigned to play with the Class-A Fort Lauderdale Yankees
Fort Lauderdale Yankees
The Fort Lauderdale Yankees, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was an American minor league baseball franchise that existed from 1962 through 1992. The team was a Class A Florida State League affiliate of the New York Yankees and won seven FSL championships during its 31 years of existence.The...
of the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
. In 121 games played that season, he batted .288 with 128 hits, 18 doubles, two triples, and two home runs. In the field, Bernhardt played first base, third base, and in the outfield.
Bernhardt continued playing with the Class-A Fort Lauderdale Yankees in 1973. In only 37 games played that year, he batted .337 with 34 hits, four doubles, and one home run. After the season, the New York Yankees purchased his contract, adding him to their 40-man roster. Bernhardt attended 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...
with New York in 1974, but was assigned to the Double-A West Haven Yankees
West Haven Yankees
The West Haven Yankees were a minor league baseball team located in West Haven, Connecticut from 1972 until 1982. The team played in the Eastern League. Their home stadium was Quigley Stadium....
before the start of the regular season. With West Have that year, Bernhardt batted .201 with 20 runs scored, 37 hits, six doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 19 RBIs in 60 games played.
Bernhardt split the 1975 season between the Double-A West Haven Yankees, and the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. At the Double-A level, he batted .319 with 51 hits, 10 doubles, one triple, and one home run in 41 games played. In the field, he played third base, and first base. During his time with West Haven that season, he led the Eastern League in batting average. After his promotion to the Chiefs, Bernhardt batted .303 with 22 runs scored, 90 hits, 19 doubles, one triple, four home runs, and 44 RBIs in 79 games played. Defensively, he played 33 games at third base, 33 games in the outfield, and 16 games at first base. Combined between the two clubs, Bernhardt's batting average was .309.
In 1976, Bernhardt began the season with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. However, in July, the New York Yankees purchased his contract from the minor leagues when Elliott Maddox
Elliott Maddox
Elliott Maddox is an African-American former Major League Baseball American player. Maddox, from 1970 to 1980, played for the Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators/Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Mets.-Early and personal life:Maddox attended Union High School in...
was placed on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
. Bernhardt made his debut 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...
on July 10, against 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...
, where in one at-bat, he went hitless. His first hit came on July 17, in a game against 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...
. In August, he was sent back to the minor leagues. In September, the Yankees attempted to trade Bernhardt in exchange for Rico Carty
Rico Carty
Ricardo Adolfo Jacobo Carty is a former professional baseball player. Nicknamed Beeg Boy, he played mostly as an outfielder in Major League Baseball from to...
, but nothing ever came of it. In the majors, Bernhardt batted .190 with four hits in 21 at-bats. In the minor leagues, he batted .303 with 41 runs scored, 115 hits, 24 doubles, eight home runs, and 57 RBIs in 101 games played.
Seattle Mariners
During the 1976 Major League Baseball expansion draft, Bernhardt was selected 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...
from the New York Yankees. Bernhardt made the inaugural Mariners team
1977 Seattle Mariners season
The 1977 Seattle Mariners season was the first season in franchise history. The creation of the Mariners brought baseball back to Seattle, which had been devoid of baseball since the Seattle Pilots left for Milwaukee to become the Brewers following the 1969 season...
out of spring training in 1977. During his first game of the season, Bernhardt got five hits, including a home run, in five at-bats. Not only was it Bernhardt's first career home run, but it was also the first home run in Mariners history. On the season, Bernhardt batted .243 with 32 runs scored, 74 hits, nine doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and 30 RBIs in 89 games played. Defensively, he played 21 games at third base, and eight games at first base. The majority of his playing time, 54 games, was spent as a designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
in the Mariners lineup
Batting order (baseball)
The batting order, or batting lineup, in baseball is the sequence in which the nine members of the offense take their turns in batting against the pitcher. The batting order is the main component of a team's offensive strategy. The batting order is set by the manager before the game begins...
.
Bernhardt split the 1978 season between the major leagues and the minor leagues. With the San Jose Missions
San Jose Missions
The San Jose Missions were a minor league baseball team which played in the Pacific Coast League in 1977 and 1978. The team had been known as the Sacramento Solons prior to 1977, and played its home games in a football stadium there...
, who were the Seattle Mariners Triple-A affiliate at the time, he batted .274 with 13 runs scored, 26 hits, three doubles, two home runs, and 16 RBIs in 25 games played. Bernhardt made his season debut in the majors on May 12, in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. With the Mariners that year, he batted .230 with 13 runs scored, 38 hits, nine doubles, two home runs, and 12 RBIs in 54 games played. Bernhardt would only play one more game in the major leagues, coming on Aptil 8, 1979 in a game against the California Angels, he got one hit in one at-bat. After that, the Mariners sent Bernhardt to the minor leagues where he played with the Triple-A Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
. In 98 games with Spokane, he batted .271 with 43 runs scored, 106 hits, 18 doubles, two triples, three home runs, and 49 RBIs.
Later career
In early-July 1979, the Seattle Mariners traded Bernhardt to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Rich HintonRich Hinton
Richard Michael Hinton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of six seasons between and , including three separate stints with the Chicago White Sox.-Draft history:...
. Bernhardt spent the rest of that season with the Iowa Oaks, who were the Triple-A affiliates of the White Sox at the time. In 25 games with the Oaks, he batted .305 with five runs scored, 18 hits, two doubles, one triple, and six RBIs. That season would prove to be Bernhardt's last in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, however, from 1980 to 1983, he played in the Mexican League. In 1980, he joined the Triple-A Tabasco Plataneros
Olmecas de Tabasco
The Olmecas de Tabasco are a AAA-level baseball team based in Tabasco playing in the Mexican League. Their homefield is the Estadio Centenario 27 de Febrero in Villahermosa.-External links:*...
. From 1981 to 1982, Bernhardt was the player-manager for the Triple-A Campeche Piratas/Alacranes
Piratas de Campeche
The Piratas de Campeche are a AAA-level baseball team playing in the Mexican League LMB based in Campeche, Campeche, Mexico.-History:...
Mexican League team, who represented Campeche, Mexico
Campeche, Campeche
San Francisco de Campeche is the capital city of the Mexican state of Campeche, located at,...
. His final professional baseball season was in 1983 when he again played with the Campeche Triple-A team, and the Triple-A Aguascalientes Rieleros, who were also members of the Mexican League.