Al Silvera
Encyclopedia
Aaron Albert Silvera was an American
professional baseball player, an outfielder
who played parts of two seasons for the Cincinnati Redlegs
of Major League Baseball
in –. He threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weighed 180 pounds (81.6 kg). He was the nephew of former Major League pitcher
"Subway Sam" Nahem
.
A native of San Diego, California
, Silvera attended Fairfax High School
in Los Angeles
and the University of Southern California
. He signed a bonus
contract with the Redlegs as a 19-year-old in 1955 and was placed on Cincinnati's Major League roster per the bonus rule of the time. He made his MLB debut as a defensive replacement for leftfielder Ray Jablonski
in a 12–8 road loss to the Philadelphia Phillies
on June 12. After pinch running in his second MLB game (for slow-footed catcher Smoky Burgess
), Silvera finally had his first National League
at bat
as a pinch hitter
for Roy McMillan
in a 16–5 rout of the Phillies at Crosley Field
June 26. His single
to right field scored Rocky Bridges
and Burgess. It would be his only MLB hit
, driving home his two career runs batted in.
Silvera appeared in ten more Cincinnati games in 1955, and one in 1956 (as a pinch runner). In addition to his one hit in seven at bats and two RBI, he scored three runs
. The Redlegs released him in May 1956, and he played minor league baseball
through 1958 before leaving the game.
A resident of Beverly Hills, California
, Silvera died in Los Angeles at age 66.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball player, an outfielder
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...
who played parts of two seasons 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....
of 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...
in –. He threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weighed 180 pounds (81.6 kg). He was the nephew of former Major 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...
"Subway Sam" Nahem
Sam Nahem
Samuel Ralph "Subway Sam" Nahem born in New York, New York was a pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers , St...
.
A native of San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, Silvera attended Fairfax High School
Fairfax High School (Los Angeles)
Fairfax High School is a Los Angeles Unified School District high school located in Los Angeles, USA, near the border of West Hollywood in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles...
in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
. He signed a bonus
Bonus Rule
The Bonus Rule was a rule instituted by Major League Baseball in 1947 that prevented teams from assigning certain players to farm clubs. The rule stipulated that when a Major league team signed a player to a contract in excess of $4,000 , the Major League team was required to keep that player on...
contract with the Redlegs as a 19-year-old in 1955 and was placed on Cincinnati's Major League roster per the bonus rule of the time. He made his MLB debut as a defensive replacement for leftfielder Ray Jablonski
Ray Jablonski
Raymond Leo Jablonski was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball with an 8-year career from 1953 to 1960. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he played for the St...
in a 12–8 road loss to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on June 12. After pinch running in his second MLB game (for slow-footed catcher Smoky Burgess
Smoky Burgess
Forrest Harrill "Smoky" Burgess was an American professional baseball player, coach and scout. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1949 to 1967. Later in his career, he became known for his ability as a pinch hitter, setting the major league career record for career pinch-hits...
), Silvera finally had his first National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
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...
for Roy McMillan
Roy McMillan
Roy David McMillan was a shortstop, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. From 1951 through 1966, McMillan played for the Cincinnati Reds , Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets . He batted and threw right-handed...
in a 16–5 rout of the Phillies at Crosley Field
Crosley Field
Crosley Field was a Major League Baseball park located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the home field of the National League's Cincinnati Reds from 1912 through June 24, 1970, and the original Cincinnati Bengals football team, members of the second and third American Football League...
June 26. His single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
to right field scored Rocky Bridges
Rocky Bridges
Everett Lamar "Rocky" Bridges is a former utility infielder with an 11-year career in American Major League Baseball from 1951 to 1961. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals of the National League, and the Washington Senators, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland...
and Burgess. It would be his only MLB hit
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....
, driving home his two career runs batted in.
Silvera appeared in ten more Cincinnati games in 1955, and one in 1956 (as a pinch runner). In addition to his one hit in seven at bats and two RBI, he scored three runs
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...
. The Redlegs released him in May 1956, and he played minor league baseball
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...
through 1958 before leaving the game.
A resident of Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together...
, Silvera died in Los Angeles at age 66.