Happy belated Birthday to one of the game’s all-time great Shortstops, Luis Aparicio. Over his 18-year career with the White Sox, Orioles, and Red Sox, his endurance, great defense, and speed gave him a rightful spot in Cooperstown, the first Venezuelan ball player to earn a spot.
Luis Aparicio Career (1956-1973):
.262 BA, 2,677 HITS, 83 HR, 791 RBI, .311 OBP, 1,335 RUNS
His journey to the big leagues was challenging, coming from Venezuela and knowing little English. But, he grinded through the minors with the support of his father, and by 1956 the White Sox traded Chico Carrasquel, making room for Aparicio at the big league level. The following nine seasons, Aparicio took on the Shortstop duties and won Rookie of the Year in 1956, made the All-Star team seven times, won five Gold-Glove awards, led the A.L. in Stolen Bases nine times, led A.L. Shortstops in Putouts and Assists during that time, and along with second baseman Nellie Fox were one of the greatest double play duos in baseball history. As the team’s leadoff hitter, he helped lead the White Sox to its first Pennant in 40 years in 1959.
The White Sox moved him to Baltimore in 1963, where he was a part of the 1966 World Series Champion Orioles. He’d find his way back to the White Sox in 1968 but finish his career with the Red Sox in 1973. For a player who maintained a challenging position like Shortstop, he put up very good numbers from an offensive standpoint and only played fewer than 132 games twice. He will be best remembered for his role in the growth and development of baseball, not just in Venezuela but all of Latin America.
References:
- Luis Aparicio Career Statistics via Baseball-Reference: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aparilu01.shtml
- Landino, Leonte Luis Aparicio via SABR: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/luis-aparicio/
MLB Past & Present 