Sandy Amorós
Encyclopedia
Edmundo "Sandy" Amorós Isasi (January 30, 1930 – June 27, 1992) was a Cuba
n left fielder
in Major League Baseball
for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers
and Detroit Tigers
. Amorós was born in Havana
. He both batted and threw left-handed. Dodgers scout Al Campanis
signed him in 1951, struck by the small man's speed.
, had a largely unremarkable major league career. However, his defining moment with the Brooklyn Dodgers was one of the most memorable events in World Series
history. It was the sixth inning of the decisive Game 7 of the 1955 World Series
. The Dodgers had never won a World Series in their history and were now trying to hold a 2-0 lead against their perennial rivals, the New York Yankees
. The left-handed Amorós came into the game that inning as a defensive replacement, as the right-handed throwing Jim Gilliam
moved from left field to second base in place of Don Zimmer
. The first two batters in the inning reached base and Yogi Berra
came to the plate. Berra, notorious for swinging at pitches outside the strike zone, hit an opposite-field shot toward the left field corner that looked to be a sure double
, as the Brooklyn outfield had just shifted to the right. Amorós seemingly came out of nowhere, extended his gloved right hand to catch the ball and immediately skidded to a halt to avoid crashing into the fence near Yankee Stadium
's 301 distance marker in the left field corner. He then threw to the relay man, shortstop Pee Wee Reese
, who in turn threw to first baseman Gil Hodges
, doubling Gil McDougald
off first; Hank Bauer
grounded out to end the inning.
by refusing to take the managers job at Castro's request for the Cuban National Team. He lost a $30,000 ranch that he had owned in Cuba. As author Roberto González Echevarría notes in his book The Pride of Havana (1999), "For many players, the collapse of the Cuban League had tragic consequences. The diaspora began. Amorós, for instance, returned to Cuba to find his property confiscated by the new Socialist government of Fidel Castro. Sandy could no longer leave Cuba for many years, during which time he became increasingly dependant on others for his needs. When he eventually was given permission to leave, the Dodgers put him on their roster for the few days he needed for his pension."
It was 1967 when Castro finally allowed Amorós to leave for the United States. After the Dodgers' act of kindness of always looking out for those players considered part of the Dodger family, it became ironic that Sandy would then move to Elton Avenue in the South Bronx not too far from Yankee Stadium where he made the famous catch of the 1955 World Series. Later that year, his wife divorced him. Sandy lost touch with everyone in the Cuban community, especially all those individuals he thought were his friends. As a result of moving to the South Bronx, Sandy was immediately embraced by the Puerto Rican community in the South Bronx. There he became active in supporting then Herman Badillo a politician who has been a borough president, United States Representative, and candidate for Mayor of New York City. He was the first Puerto Rican to be elected to these posts and be a mayoral candidate in the continental United States. A few years later Sandy wanted something else so In 1977, Sandy moved to Central Florida to live with his best friend Victor Germain from Puerto Rico who lived in the South Bronx and moved to Tampa in search of a better quality of Life for he and his family. Sandy lived comfortable in Clair Mel City a section of Tampa with the Germain family for many years attending functions in his honor as the man who made it possible for Brooklyn to win its first and only World Series title. After receiving an increase in his pension from Major League Baseball Sandy moved out on his own where he eventually developed an alcohol problem which later led to ill health (diabetic) and a life of poverty. He lost his best friend in 1986, then lost part of his left leg in 1987 to circulatory problems and gangrene. At that time old teammates and the Baseball Assistance Program gave him a hand.
Five years later, at the age of 62, Sandy died from pneumonia, in Miami, Florida
. He had been scheduled to travel to Brooklyn for a day in his honor and an appearance with Yogi Berra
at a baseball-card show.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
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...
for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers
Los 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...
and 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...
. Amorós was born in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
. He both batted and threw left-handed. Dodgers scout Al Campanis
Al Campanis
Alexander Sebastian Campanis was an American executive in Major League Baseball. He had a brief Major League career as a second baseman, playing for both the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers' minor-league team...
signed him in 1951, struck by the small man's speed.
Career
Amorós, nicknamed for his resemblance to boxing champ Sandy SaddlerSandy Saddler
Joseph "Sandy" Saddler was an American boxer born in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a two-time featherweight world champion, and also held the junior lightweight crown. Over his twelve-year career , Saddler scored 103 knockouts. He was stopped only once, in his second pro fight, by Jock Leslie. ...
, had a largely unremarkable major league career. However, his defining moment with the Brooklyn Dodgers was one of the most memorable events in World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
history. It was the sixth inning of the decisive Game 7 of the 1955 World Series
1955 World Series
The 1955 World Series matched the Brooklyn Dodgers against the New York Yankees, with the Dodgers winning the Series in seven games to capture their first championship in franchise history. It would be the only Series the Dodgers won in Brooklyn . The last time the Brooklyn franchise won a World...
. The Dodgers had never won a World Series in their history and were now trying to hold a 2-0 lead against their perennial rivals, 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...
. The left-handed Amorós came into the game that inning as a defensive replacement, as the right-handed throwing Jim Gilliam
Jim Gilliam
James William Gilliam was an American second and third baseman and coach in Negro League and Major League Baseball who spent his entire major league career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was named the National League Rookie of the Year, and was a key member of ten NL championship...
moved from left field to second base in place of Don Zimmer
Don Zimmer
Donald William "Popeye" Zimmer is a former infielder, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball, currently serving as a senior advisor to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball organization...
. The first two batters in the inning reached base and Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
came to the plate. Berra, notorious for swinging at pitches outside the strike zone, hit an opposite-field shot toward the left field corner that looked to be a sure 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....
, as the Brooklyn outfield had just shifted to the right. Amorós seemingly came out of nowhere, extended his gloved right hand to catch the ball and immediately skidded to a halt to avoid crashing into the fence near Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
's 301 distance marker in the left field corner. He then threw to the relay man, shortstop Pee Wee Reese
Pee Wee Reese
Harold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
, who in turn threw to first baseman Gil Hodges
Gil Hodges
Gilbert Ray Hodges was an American Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played in 1943 and from 1947–63, spending most of his career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, doubling Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
off first; Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
grounded out to end the inning.
Life in Cuba
Sandy Amorós' last season in the majors was , after which he fell on hard times, largely because he came into conflict with Fidel CastroFidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
by refusing to take the managers job at Castro's request for the Cuban National Team. He lost a $30,000 ranch that he had owned in Cuba. As author Roberto González Echevarría notes in his book The Pride of Havana (1999), "For many players, the collapse of the Cuban League had tragic consequences. The diaspora began. Amorós, for instance, returned to Cuba to find his property confiscated by the new Socialist government of Fidel Castro. Sandy could no longer leave Cuba for many years, during which time he became increasingly dependant on others for his needs. When he eventually was given permission to leave, the Dodgers put him on their roster for the few days he needed for his pension."
It was 1967 when Castro finally allowed Amorós to leave for the United States. After the Dodgers' act of kindness of always looking out for those players considered part of the Dodger family, it became ironic that Sandy would then move to Elton Avenue in the South Bronx not too far from Yankee Stadium where he made the famous catch of the 1955 World Series. Later that year, his wife divorced him. Sandy lost touch with everyone in the Cuban community, especially all those individuals he thought were his friends. As a result of moving to the South Bronx, Sandy was immediately embraced by the Puerto Rican community in the South Bronx. There he became active in supporting then Herman Badillo a politician who has been a borough president, United States Representative, and candidate for Mayor of New York City. He was the first Puerto Rican to be elected to these posts and be a mayoral candidate in the continental United States. A few years later Sandy wanted something else so In 1977, Sandy moved to Central Florida to live with his best friend Victor Germain from Puerto Rico who lived in the South Bronx and moved to Tampa in search of a better quality of Life for he and his family. Sandy lived comfortable in Clair Mel City a section of Tampa with the Germain family for many years attending functions in his honor as the man who made it possible for Brooklyn to win its first and only World Series title. After receiving an increase in his pension from Major League Baseball Sandy moved out on his own where he eventually developed an alcohol problem which later led to ill health (diabetic) and a life of poverty. He lost his best friend in 1986, then lost part of his left leg in 1987 to circulatory problems and gangrene. At that time old teammates and the Baseball Assistance Program gave him a hand.
Five years later, at the age of 62, Sandy died from pneumonia, in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
. He had been scheduled to travel to Brooklyn for a day in his honor and an appearance with Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
at a baseball-card show.
External links
- Kodak Presents - Baseball's 25 Greatest Moments: Sandy Amoros' Catch and Throw in the 1955 World Series
- Sports Illustrated: July 10, 1989 - by Nicholas Dawidoff
- Sandy Amoros at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...