Nino Escalera
Encyclopedia
Saturnino Escalera (born December 1, 1929 in Santurce, Puerto Rico) is a former outfielder
and first baseman
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Cincinnati Redlegs
in the 1954 season.
He started his baseball
career at a very young age, often playing with his brothers and neighbors from the Loiza Street in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
.
In 1950, the New York Yankees
organization obtained Escalera from the Bristol Owls of the Colonial League
. In 1952, he was purchased by the Toledo Mud Hens
-Charleston Senators
of the American Association
, and later that year, by the Cincinnati Redlegs organization.
On April 17, 1954 at the Milwaukee's County Stadium, a 24-year-old Escalera, standing at 5'10 and weighting 165 pounds, became the first black to play for the Cincinnati Redlegs. He entered the game as a pinch hitter
, and hit a single in a 5-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves
.
He played in 73 games during his only big league season, often as a pinch hitter. Season and career totals include a .159 batting average (11-for-69), 3 runs batted in, 15 runs scored
, and an on base percentage
of .234. He committed just one error
in 49 total chances
at OF/1B for a fielding percentage
of .980.
Escalera worked as a scout for the New York Mets
organization from 1966 to 1981. In 1982, he served as a scout for the San Francisco Giants
organization. Among players signed by Escalera are retired major league players Jerry Morales
, Ed Figueroa
, Benny Ayala
, José Oquendo
and Juan Berenguer
.
Escalera is a member of the Puerto Rico Baseball Hall Of Fame. He is considered alongside Victor Pellot
and Orlando Cepeda
among the best first basemen in Puerto Rico
history.
MINOR LEAGUE EXPERIENCE:
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
and first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
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 the Cincinnati Redlegs
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 1954 season.
He started his baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
career at a very young age, often playing with his brothers and neighbors from the Loiza Street in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Santurce is a district of San Juan, Puerto Rico.-Summary:Santurce is one of the top ten most populated areas of the island holding Miramar, Loíza, Isla Grande, Barrio Obrero, and Condado as main cultural hot spots for art, music, cuisine, fashion, hotels, technology, multimedia, film, textile and...
.
In 1950, 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...
organization obtained Escalera from the Bristol Owls of the Colonial League
Colonial League (baseball)
The Colonial League was a mid-level American minor baseball league that existed from 1947 through mid-July 1950. It was graded Class B, four levels below the Major Leagues, and featured teams in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey....
. In 1952, he was purchased by the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
-Charleston Senators
Charleston Senators
The Charleston Senators were an American minor league baseball team based in Charleston, West Virginia. They were the first professional baseball team to play in Charleston, beginning play in 1910. The team was inactive during a few periods, playing their last game in 1960....
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
, and later that year, by the Cincinnati Redlegs organization.
On April 17, 1954 at the Milwaukee's County Stadium, a 24-year-old Escalera, standing at 5'10 and weighting 165 pounds, became the first black to play for the Cincinnati Redlegs. He entered the game as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
, and hit a single in a 5-1 loss to the 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....
.
He played in 73 games during his only big league season, often as a pinch hitter. Season and career totals include a .159 batting average (11-for-69), 3 runs batted in, 15 runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, and an on base percentage
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...
of .234. He committed just one error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 49 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...
at OF/1B for a fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
of .980.
Escalera worked as a scout 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...
organization from 1966 to 1981. In 1982, he served as a scout 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....
organization. Among players signed by Escalera are retired major league players Jerry Morales
Jerry Morales
Julio Ruben "Jerry" Morales Torres is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from -.-Career:Morales was originally signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent at the age of 17 in 1966...
, Ed Figueroa
Ed Figueroa
Eduardo Figueroa Padilla , is a former Major League Baseball player. He holds the distinction of being the only pitcher from Puerto Rico to win twenty games in a season.-USMC:...
, Benny Ayala
Benny Ayala
Benigno Ayala Felix is a former Major League Baseball player who had a 10-season career from to . He played outfield, first base, and designated hitter. He played for the New York Mets and St...
, José Oquendo
José Oquendo
José Manuel Roberto Guillermo Oquendo Contreras is a former Major League Baseball infielder and the current third base coach for the St. Louis Cardinals...
and Juan Berenguer
Juan Berenguer
Juan Bautista Berenguer 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 with long hair and a mustache, he was called "Pancho Villa" by his...
.
Escalera is a member of the Puerto Rico Baseball Hall Of Fame. He is considered alongside Victor Pellot
Victor Pellot
Victor Pellot a.k.a. "Vic Power" was the second black Puerto Rican to play in Major League Baseball and the first Puerto Rican to play in the American League...
and Orlando Cepeda
Orlando Cepeda
Orlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes is a former Puerto Rican Major League Baseball first baseman.Cepeda was born to a poor family. His father, Pedro Cepeda, was a baseball player in Puerto Rico, which influenced his interest in the sport from a young age. His first contact with professional baseball was...
among the best first basemen in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
history.
MINOR LEAGUE EXPERIENCE:
- /1949 Colonial League (B) Bristol Owls/
- /1950 Canadian-American League (C) Amsterdam Rugmakers NYA/
- /1950 Colonial League (B) Bristol Owls/
- /1951 Central League (A) Muskegon Reds NYA/
- /1951 International League (AAA) Syracuse Chiefs/
- 1952 American Association (AAA) Toledo Mud Hens/Charleston Senators/
- /1953 American Association (AAA) Indianapolis Indians CLE
- /1953 Texas League (AA) Tulsa Oilers CIN/
- /1954 National League (MLB) Cincinnati Redlegs CIN/
- /1955 International League (AAA) Havana Sugar Kings CIN/
- /1956 International League (AAA) Havana Sugar Kings CIN
- /1957 International League (AAA) Havana Sugar Kings CIN/
- /1958 International League (AAA) Havana Sugar Kings CIN/
- /1959 International League (AAA) Columbus Jets PIT/
- /1960 International League (AAA) Columbus Jets PIT/
- /1961 International League (AAA) Columbus Jets PIT/
- /1962 International League (AAA) Rochester Red Wings BAL/
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of first black Major League Baseball players by team and date
External links
- http://minors.sabrwebs.com/cgi-bin/person.php?milbID=escale001sat
- Baseball Reference - major league statistics
- Baseball Reference - minor league statistics
- Retrosheet
- Baseball Library
- Baseball Integration Timeline