Luis Aparicio
Encyclopedia
Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel (born April 29, 1934) is a former shortstop
in professional baseball
. His career in Major League Baseball
spanned three decades, from through . Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox
(1956–62, 1968–70), Baltimore Orioles
(1963–67) and Boston Red Sox
(1971–73). He batted and threw right-handed. A thirteen-time All-Star
, Aparicio was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984
.
, Venezuela
, Aparicio came from a baseball family. His father, Luis Aparicio Sr., was a notable shortstop in Venezuela and owned a Winter League team with Aparicio's uncle, Ernesto Aparicio. Aparicio spent six years (top for his career in Venezuela) with Tiburones de La Guaira
in the Venezuelan Winter League.
, but Chicago White Sox General Manager
Frank Lane
, on the recommendation of fellow Venezuela
n shortstop Chico Carrasquel
, signed Aparicio for $5,000 down and $5,000 in first year salary. After only two years in the minor leagues
, he made his major league debut in 1956
, replacing Carrasquel as the White Sox shortstop. Aparicio would lead the American League
in stolen bases, assists
, and putout
s, and won both the Rookie of the Year and The Sporting News Rookie of the Year
awards.
Aparicio quickly became an integral member of the Go-Go White Sox teams of the mid-1950s, who were known for their speed and strong defense. Over the next decade, Aparicio set the standard for the spray-hitting, slick-fielding, speedy shortstop. He combined with second baseman
Nellie Fox
to become one of the best double play
combinations in major league baseball. Aparicio once again led the American League in stolen bases and assists in as the White Sox would hold first place until late June before finishing the season in second place behind the New York Yankees
.
In 1958
, Aparicio earned recognition as one of the top shortstops in major league baseball when he was elected to be the starting shortstop for the American League in the All-Star Game
. The White Sox would once again finish the season in second place behind the Yankees
, after being in last place on June 14. Aparicio again led the league in stolen bases, assists and putouts, and would win his first Gold Glove Award
.
The White Sox would finally win the American League pennant
in 1959
, finishing the regular season five games ahead of the Cleveland Indians
. Aparicio finished second to team-mate Nellie Fox in the American League Most Valuable Player Award balloting, and won his second Gold Glove Award as well as another All-Star selection. He posted a .308 batting average
in the 1959 World Series
as the White Sox were defeated by the Los Angeles Dodgers
in a six-game series.
Aparicio continued to be one of the top shortstops in the league, finishing at or near the top in fielding percentage
and assists but, when he showed up overweight and had an off year in 1962
, the White Sox offered him a reduction in his salary for the 1963 season. An enraged Aparicio said that he would quit rather than accept a decrease in pay and demanded to be traded. The White Sox eventually traded him to the Baltimore Orioles with Al Smith for Hoyt Wilhelm
, Ron Hansen
, Dave Nicholson
and Pete Ward
.[the following season.
. Together with Brooks Robinson
and Jerry Adair
, he was part of one of the best defensive infield
s in baseball. In 1964
, he would lead the league in stolen bases for a ninth consecutive year and win his sixth Gold Glove Award. Aparicio posted a .278 batting average with 178 hits
in 1966
, second-most hits in the league behind Tony Oliva
and, won a seventh Gold Glove Award as the Orioles clinched their first American League pennant. He finished ninth in the American League Most Valuable Player Award balloting and helped the Orioles sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers
in the 1966 World Series
.
season after being traded for Don Buford
. He continued to play well defensively, leading the league in range factor
in and . Aparicio had his best overall offensive season in 1970
, finishing fourth in the American League Batting Championship with a career-high .312 batting average and scoring 86 runs
. He also earned his eighth All-Star berth and won his ninth Gold Glove Award in . Despite the White Sox finishing in last place, Aparicio finished 12th in the 1970 American League Most Valuable Player Award balloting. In December 1970, after three seasons with the White Sox, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Luis Alvarado
and Mike Andrews
.
, Aparicio tied the longest Major League hitless streak for non-pitchers in the last 50 years by going without a hit
in 44 at bats. Aparicio then hit a grand slam
home run
against the Indians in Cleveland and then led off a night game at Fenway with another home run. He hit for a career-low .232 batting average that year.
In 1972
, Aparicio made a late-season baserunning
blunder that contributed to the Red Sox losing the American League Eastern Division
title by half a game to the Detroit Tigers
. In his last year as an active player in 1973
, Aparicio would hit for a .271 average and steal his 500th base, against the New York Yankees
, on July 5. He retired at the end of the season at the age of 39.
, accumulating 2677 hits
in 10,230 at bats for a .262 career batting average along with 394 doubles
, 83 home runs, 791 runs batted in, 1335 runs
and 506 stolen bases. He ended his career with a .972 fielding percentage. Aparicio led American League shortstops eight times in fielding percentage, seven times in assists
, and four times in range factor
and putout
s. He led the American League in stolen bases in nine consecutive seasons (1956–64) and won the Gold Glove Award
nine times (1958–62, 1964, 1966, 1970). Aparicio was also a ten-time All-Star
(1958–64, 1970–72).
, assists and double play
s by a shortstop and the all-time leader for putout
s and total chances
by an American League shortstop. His nine Gold Glove Awards set an American League record for shortstops, that was tied by Omar Vizquel
in . He tied the record of most seasons leading the league in fielding average by shortstops with 8, previously set by Everett Scott
and Lou Boudreau
.
His 2,583 games played at shortstop stood as the Major League record for that position from his retirement in until May when it was surpassed by Omar Vizquel. His 2,677 hits was also the major league record for players from Venezuela, until it was surpassed by Omar Vizquel
on June 25, . He had 13 consecutive seasons with enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title and an on-base percentage less than .325, a major league record (His career OBP was slightly better than the shortstops' one during those years; .311 vs .309). A more impressive streak was his 16 straight seasons with more than 500 plate appearances, tied for fifth best in major league history. Aparicio never played any defensive position other than shortstop.
, the first native of Venezuela
to be honored. Also in 1984, the White Sox retired his number 11, although the White Sox have 'un-retired' his number again for Omar Vizquel
, with Aparicio's permission. Aparicio was also inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum
Hall of Fame. In 1981, Lawrence Ritter
and Donald Honig
included him in their book The 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time. In 1999, The Sporting News
did not include him on their list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, but Major League Baseball
did list him as one of their 100 nominees for their All-Century Team
.
Aparicio was inducted into the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. He was given the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Game One of the 2005 World Series
, the first World Series game to be played in Chicago by the Chicago White Sox
since the 1959 World Series
, when Aparicio had been the starting shortstop for the White Sox. Since , the Luis Aparicio Award
is presented annually to honor the Venezuelan player who recorded the best individual performance in Major League Baseball, as voted on by sports journalists in Venezuela.
, Venezuela, bearing his father's name. The full name of the stadium is Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande
(Stadium Luis Aparicio the Great) in honor to Luis Aparicio Ortega. Also, the sports complex where the stadium is located is named Polideportivo Luis Aparicio Montiel. There are also several streets and avenues bearing his name throughout Venezuela.
In , two bronze statues, one depicting him, the other depicting his teammate and fellow infielder Nellie Fox
, were unveiled on the outfield concourse of U.S. Cellular Field
. Fox's statue depicts him flipping a baseball toward Aparicio, while Aparicio is depicted as preparing to receive the ball from Fox.
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...
in 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....
. His career 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...
spanned three decades, from through . Aparicio played for 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...
(1956–62, 1968–70), Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(1963–67) and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1971–73). He batted and threw right-handed. A thirteen-time All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, Aparicio was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984
Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 1984
Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1984 followed the system in place since 1978.The Baseball Writers Association of America voted by mail to select from recent major league players and...
.
Playing career
Born in Maracaibo, Zulia StateMaracaibo
Maracaibo is a city and municipality located in northwestern Venezuela off the western coast of the Lake Maracaibo. It is the second-largest city in the country after the national capital Caracas and the capital of Zulia state...
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, Aparicio came from a baseball family. His father, Luis Aparicio Sr., was a notable shortstop in Venezuela and owned a Winter League team with Aparicio's uncle, Ernesto Aparicio. Aparicio spent six years (top for his career in Venezuela) with Tiburones de La Guaira
Tiburones de La Guaira
The Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:...
in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Chicago White Sox
Aparicio was heavily scouted by the Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, but Chicago White Sox General Manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
Frank Lane
Frank Lane
Frank Lane was an American executive in professional baseball, most notably serving as a general manager in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, St...
, on the recommendation of fellow Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n shortstop Chico Carrasquel
Chico Carrasquel
Alfonso Carrasquel Colón, better known as Chico Carrasquel was a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Kansas City Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles...
, signed Aparicio for $5,000 down and $5,000 in first year salary. After only two years 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 made his major league debut in 1956
1956 Chicago White Sox season
The 1956 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 56th season in the major leagues, and its 57th season overall. They finished with a record 85-69, good enough for third place in the American League, 12 games behind the first place New York Yankees....
, replacing Carrasquel as the White Sox shortstop. Aparicio would lead the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in stolen bases, assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
, and putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s, and won both the Rookie of the Year and The Sporting News Rookie of the Year
The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award
The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award was established in 1946 by The Sporting News .*In 1947-48, and again in 1950, a single award was given for all of Major League Baseball....
awards.
Aparicio quickly became an integral member of the Go-Go White Sox teams of the mid-1950s, who were known for their speed and strong defense. Over the next decade, Aparicio set the standard for the spray-hitting, slick-fielding, speedy shortstop. He combined with second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Nellie Fox
Nellie Fox
Jacob Nelson Fox was a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Chicago White Sox. Fox was born in St. Thomas Township, Pennsylvania. He was selected as the MVP of the American League in...
to become one of the best double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
combinations in major league baseball. Aparicio once again led the American League in stolen bases and assists in as the White Sox would hold first place until late June before finishing the season in second place behind the New York Yankees
1957 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 55th season for the team in New York, and its 57th season overall. The team finished with a record of 98-56 to win their 23rd pennant, finishing eight games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. New York was managed by Casey Stengel...
.
In 1958
1958 Chicago White Sox season
The 1958 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 58th season in the major leagues, and its 59th season overall. They finished with a record 82-72, good enough for second place in the American League, 10 games behind the first-place New York Yankees....
, Aparicio earned recognition as one of the top shortstops in major league baseball when he was elected to be the starting shortstop for the American League in the All-Star Game
1958 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1958 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 25th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 8, 1958, at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland the home of...
. The White Sox would once again finish the season in second place behind the Yankees
1958 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 56th season for the team in New York, and its 58th season overall. The team finished with a record of 92-62, winning their 24th pennant, finishing 10 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. In the World Series, they defeated the Milwaukee Braves in 7 games. New...
, after being in last place on June 14. Aparicio again led the league in stolen bases, assists and putouts, and would win his first Gold Glove Award
Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
.
The White Sox would finally win the American League pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
in 1959
1959 Chicago White Sox season
The Chicago White Sox season was the team's 59th season in the major leagues, and its 60th season overall. They finished with a record 94-60, good enough to win the American League championship, five games ahead of the second place Cleveland Indians...
, finishing the regular season five games ahead of the Cleveland Indians
1959 Cleveland Indians season
The 1959 Cleveland Indians season was the 59th in franchise history. The Indians finished in second place in the American League with a record of 89 wins and 65 losses, five games behind the AL Champion Chicago White Sox.- Offseason :...
. Aparicio finished second to team-mate Nellie Fox in the American League Most Valuable Player Award balloting, and won his second Gold Glove Award as well as another All-Star selection. He posted a .308 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 :...
in the 1959 World Series
1959 World Series
The 1959 World Series featured the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers beating the American League champion Chicago White Sox, four games to two. It was the first pennant for the White Sox in 40 years . They would have to wait until 2005 to win another championship...
as the White Sox were defeated by the Los Angeles Dodgers
1959 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished in a first-place tie with the Milwaukee Braves, then won the pennant as they swept the Braves in a best-of-three playoff series. They went on to defeat the Chicago White Sox in the 1959 World Series in just their second season since leaving Brooklyn.- Offseason :*...
in a six-game series.
Aparicio continued to be one of the top shortstops in the league, finishing at or near the top in 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...
and assists but, when he showed up overweight and had an off year in 1962
1962 Chicago White Sox season
The 1962 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 62nd season in the major leagues, and its 63rd season overall. They finished with a record 85-77, good enough for fifth place in the American League, 11 games behind the first-place New York Yankees....
, the White Sox offered him a reduction in his salary for the 1963 season. An enraged Aparicio said that he would quit rather than accept a decrease in pay and demanded to be traded. The White Sox eventually traded him to the Baltimore Orioles with Al Smith for Hoyt Wilhelm
Hoyt Wilhelm
James Hoyt Wilhelm was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985....
, Ron Hansen
Ron Hansen (baseball)
Ronald Lavern Hansen is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Washington Senators , New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals...
, Dave Nicholson
Dave Nicholson
David Lawrence Nicholson is a former outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves , known for his towering, although infrequent, home runs...
and Pete Ward
Pete Ward
Peter Thomas Ward is a retired professional baseball player who played 9 seasons for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees of Major League Baseball...
.[the following season.
Baltimore Orioles
Aparicio regained his form in Baltimore and continued to lead the league in stolen bases and in fielding percentage, producing a career-high .983 fielding percentage in 19631963 Baltimore Orioles season
The 1963 Baltimore Orioles season involved the Orioles finishing fourth in the American League with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses.- Offseason :* November 21, 1962: Jimmie Coker purchased by the Orioles from the Philadelphia Phillies....
. Together with Brooks Robinson
Brooks Robinson
Brooks Calbert Robinson, Jr. is a former American professional baseball player. He played his entire 23-year major league career for the Baltimore Orioles . Nicknamed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner", he is generally acclaimed as the greatest defensive third-basemen in major league history...
and Jerry Adair
Jerry Adair
Kenneth Jerry Adair was a professional baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and Kansas City Royals from Sand Springs, Oklahoma.-Baltimore Orioles:...
, he was part of one of the best defensive infield
Infield
Infield is a widely used term in sports terminology, its meaning depends on the sport in which it is used.- In baseball :In baseball the baseball diamond plus a region beyond it , has both grass and dirt, in contrast to the more distant, usually grass-covered outfield...
s in baseball. In 1964
1964 Baltimore Orioles season
The 1964 Baltimore Orioles season involved the Orioles finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 97 wins and 65 losses, two games behind the AL champion New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
, he would lead the league in stolen bases for a ninth consecutive year and win his sixth Gold Glove Award. Aparicio posted a .278 batting average with 178 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....
in 1966
1966 Baltimore Orioles season
The Baltimore Orioles season involved the Orioles finishing first in the American League with a record of 97 wins and 63 losses, nine games ahead of the runner-up Minnesota Twins. It was their first AL pennant since 1944, when the club was known as the St. Louis Browns. The Orioles swept the NL...
, second-most hits in the league behind Tony Oliva
Tony Oliva
Tony Pedro Oliva is a former Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter. He played his entire 15-year baseball career for the Minnesota Twins . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
and, won a seventh Gold Glove Award as the Orioles clinched their first American League pennant. He finished ninth in the American League Most Valuable Player Award balloting and helped the Orioles sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers
1966 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League championship with a 95–67 record , but lost to the Baltimore Orioles in four games in the World Series.-Regular season:...
in the 1966 World Series
1966 World Series
The 1966 World Series matched the Baltimore Orioles against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, with the Orioles sweeping the Series in four games to capture their first championship in franchise history...
.
Return to the White Sox
Aparicio returned to the White Sox for the 19681968 Chicago White Sox season
The 1968 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 68th season in the major leagues, and its 69th season overall. They finished with a record 67-95, good enough for eighth place in the American League, 36 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers....
season after being traded for Don Buford
Don Buford
Donald Alvin Buford is a former Major League Baseball player. An infielder/outfielder, the switch-hitting Buford played for the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles ....
. He continued to play well defensively, leading the league in range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
in and . Aparicio had his best overall offensive season in 1970
1970 Chicago White Sox season
The 1970 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 70th season in the American League, and its 71st overall. They finished with a record 56-106, good enough for sixth place in the American League West, 42 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins....
, finishing fourth in the American League Batting Championship with a career-high .312 batting average and scoring 86 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...
. He also earned his eighth All-Star berth and won his ninth Gold Glove Award in . Despite the White Sox finishing in last place, Aparicio finished 12th in the 1970 American League Most Valuable Player Award balloting. In December 1970, after three seasons with the White Sox, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Luis Alvarado
Luis Alvarado
Luis César Alvarado Martínez , born in Lajas, Puerto Rico, was a utility infielder in Major League Baseball....
and Mike Andrews
Mike Andrews
Michael Jay Andrews is a retired American Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics. He is currently the chairman of The Jimmy Fund, an event fundraising organization affiliated with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston,...
.
Boston Red Sox
In 19711971 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing third in the American League East with a record of 85 wins and 77 losses.- Offseason :...
, Aparicio tied the longest Major League hitless streak for non-pitchers in the last 50 years by going without a 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....
in 44 at bats. Aparicio then hit a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
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...
against the Indians in Cleveland and then led off a night game at Fenway with another home run. He hit for a career-low .232 batting average that year.
In 1972
1972 Boston Red Sox season
The 1972 Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 85 wins and 70 losses...
, Aparicio made a late-season baserunning
Baserunning
In baseball, baserunning is the act of running around the bases performed by members of the team at bat.In general, baserunning is a tactical part of the game with the goal of eventually reaching home to score a run. In fact, the goal of batting is generally to produce baserunners, or help move...
blunder that contributed to the Red Sox losing the American League Eastern Division
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
title by half a game to the Detroit Tigers
1972 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the American League East division championship with a record of 86-70 , finishing one-half game ahead of the Boston Red Sox. They played one more game than the Red Sox due to a scheduling quirk caused by the 1972 Major League Baseball strike -- a game which turned out to...
. In his last year as an active player in 1973
1973 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing second in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.- Offseason :...
, Aparicio would hit for a .271 average and steal his 500th base, against the New York Yankees
1973 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 71st season for the team in New York, and its 73rd season overall. The Yankees finished with a record of 80-82, finishing 17 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees were managed by Ralph Houk. The Yankees played at old Yankee Stadium, on the south side...
, on July 5. He retired at the end of the season at the age of 39.
Career statistics
In an 18 year career, Aparicio played in 2599 gamesGames 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,...
, accumulating 2677 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....
in 10,230 at bats for a .262 career batting average along with 394 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....
, 83 home runs, 791 runs batted in, 1335 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...
and 506 stolen bases. He ended his career with a .972 fielding percentage. Aparicio led American League shortstops eight times in fielding percentage, seven times in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
, and four times in range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
and putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s. He led the American League in stolen bases in nine consecutive seasons (1956–64) and won the Gold Glove Award
Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
nine times (1958–62, 1964, 1966, 1970). Aparicio was also a ten-time All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
(1958–64, 1970–72).
Baseball records
At his retirement, Aparicio was the all-time leader for most games playedGames 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,...
, assists and double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s by a shortstop and the all-time leader for putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s and 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...
by an American League shortstop. His nine Gold Glove Awards set an American League record for shortstops, that was tied by Omar Vizquel
Omar Vizquel
Omar Enrique Vizquel González , nicknamed "Little O", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. Vizquel has played for the Seattle Mariners , the Cleveland Indians , the San Francisco Giants , the Texas Rangers and the Chicago White Sox...
in . He tied the record of most seasons leading the league in fielding average by shortstops with 8, previously set by Everett Scott
Everett Scott
Lewis Everett Scott , nicknamed "Deacon", was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for 12 seasons with the Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds . Scott batted and threw right-handed...
and Lou Boudreau
Lou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
.
His 2,583 games played at shortstop stood as the Major League record for that position from his retirement in until May when it was surpassed by Omar Vizquel. His 2,677 hits was also the major league record for players from Venezuela, until it was surpassed by Omar Vizquel
Omar Vizquel
Omar Enrique Vizquel González , nicknamed "Little O", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. Vizquel has played for the Seattle Mariners , the Cleveland Indians , the San Francisco Giants , the Texas Rangers and the Chicago White Sox...
on June 25, . He had 13 consecutive seasons with enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title and an on-base percentage less than .325, a major league record (His career OBP was slightly better than the shortstops' one during those years; .311 vs .309). A more impressive streak was his 16 straight seasons with more than 500 plate appearances, tied for fifth best in major league history. Aparicio never played any defensive position other than shortstop.
Baseball honors
Luis Aparicio was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 1984
Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1984 followed the system in place since 1978.The Baseball Writers Association of America voted by mail to select from recent major league players and...
, the first native of Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
to be honored. Also in 1984, the White Sox retired his number 11, although the White Sox have 'un-retired' his number again for Omar Vizquel
Omar Vizquel
Omar Enrique Vizquel González , nicknamed "Little O", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. Vizquel has played for the Seattle Mariners , the Cleveland Indians , the San Francisco Giants , the Texas Rangers and the Chicago White Sox...
, with Aparicio's permission. Aparicio was also inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum
Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame, Inc., was founded in San Francisco, California, in June 1999 by its founder Mr.Gabriel "Tito" Avila, Jr., as a way to honor the greatest Hispanic baseball players of all time. The organization is a not-for-profit institution...
Hall of Fame. In 1981, Lawrence Ritter
Lawrence Ritter
Lawrence S. Ritter was an American writer whose specialties were economics and baseball.Ritter was a professor of economics and finance, and chairman of the Department of Finance at the Graduate School of Business Administration of New York University. He also edited the academic periodical...
and Donald Honig
Donald Honig
Donald Martin Honig is a novelist, historian and editor who mostly writes about baseball.While a member of the Bobo Newsom Memorial Society, an informal group of writers, Honig attempted to get Lawrence Ritter to write a sequel to The Glory of their Times. Ritter declined but gave Honig his blessing...
included him in their book The 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time. In 1999, The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
did not include him on their list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, but 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...
did list him as one of their 100 nominees for their All-Century Team
Major League Baseball All-Century Team
In 1999, the Major League Baseball All-Century Team was chosen by popular vote of fans. To select the team, a panel of experts first compiled a list of the 100 greatest Major League Baseball players from the past century...
.
Aparicio was inducted into the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. He was given the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Game One of the 2005 World Series
2005 World Series
The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros four games to none in the best-of-seven-games series, winning their third championship and first since 1917.Home-field...
, the first World Series game to be played in Chicago by 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...
since the 1959 World Series
1959 World Series
The 1959 World Series featured the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers beating the American League champion Chicago White Sox, four games to two. It was the first pennant for the White Sox in 40 years . They would have to wait until 2005 to win another championship...
, when Aparicio had been the starting shortstop for the White Sox. Since , the Luis Aparicio Award
Luis Aparicio Award
The Luis Aparicio Award is given annually to honor the Venezuelan player who recorded the best individual performance in Major League Baseball, as voted on by sports journalists in Venezuela....
is presented annually to honor the Venezuelan player who recorded the best individual performance in Major League Baseball, as voted on by sports journalists in Venezuela.
Landmarks bearing his family name
There is a stadium in MaracaiboMaracaibo
Maracaibo is a city and municipality located in northwestern Venezuela off the western coast of the Lake Maracaibo. It is the second-largest city in the country after the national capital Caracas and the capital of Zulia state...
, Venezuela, bearing his father's name. The full name of the stadium is Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande
Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande
Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande is a multi-use stadium in Maracaibo, Venezuela. It is currently used mostly for baseball games and serves as the home of Águilas del Zulia. The stadium holds 23,900 people. It is named after longtime Maracaibo shortstop Luis Aparicio, Sr., the father of Luis Aparicio...
(Stadium Luis Aparicio the Great) in honor to Luis Aparicio Ortega. Also, the sports complex where the stadium is located is named Polideportivo Luis Aparicio Montiel. There are also several streets and avenues bearing his name throughout Venezuela.
In , two bronze statues, one depicting him, the other depicting his teammate and fellow infielder Nellie Fox
Nellie Fox
Jacob Nelson Fox was a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Chicago White Sox. Fox was born in St. Thomas Township, Pennsylvania. He was selected as the MVP of the American League in...
, were unveiled on the outfield concourse of U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field is a baseball ballpark in Chicago, Illinois. Owned by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, it is the home of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball's American League. The park opened for the 1991 season, after the White Sox had spent 81 years at old Comiskey Park...
. Fox's statue depicts him flipping a baseball toward Aparicio, while Aparicio is depicted as preparing to receive the ball from Fox.
See also
- List of members of the Baseball Hall of Fame
- List of Major League Baseball retired numbers
- List of Gold Glove Award winners at shortstop
- List of Gold Glove middle infield duos
- List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball
- List of major league players with 2,000 hits
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
- List of Major League Baseball players with 500 stolen bases
- List of Major League Baseball stolen base records
- List of Major League Baseball stolen base champions
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
- Major League Baseball titles leadersMajor League Baseball titles leadersAt the end of each Major League Baseball season, the league leaders of various statistical categories are announced. Leading the league in a particular category is referred to as a title....
- Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award
- The Sporting News Rookie of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Rookie of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award was established in 1946 by The Sporting News .*In 1947-48, and again in 1950, a single award was given for all of Major League Baseball....
- Chicagoland Sports Hall of FameChicagoland Sports Hall of FameThe Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame, located in the Hawthorne Race Course, in Stickney/Cicero, near Chicago, Illinois, honors sports greats associated with the greater Chicago area. It was founded in 1979 as a trailer owned by the Olympia Brewing Company parked at Soldier Field in Chicago. The...