Rafael Batista
Encyclopedia
Rafael Batista Sánchez was a first baseman
in Major League Baseball
. He was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.
Batista was signed by the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent before the 1965 season, and drafted by the Houston Astros
from the Atlanta Braves
in the 1967 minor league draft (November 28, 1967). He played for the Astros in and .
During his two short stints with Houston, he got into a total of 22 games, mostly as a pinch hitter
. He batted .280 (7-for-25) and was excellent in the field. In eight appearances at first base he recorded twenty-six putouts, one assist
, no errors
, and participated in one double play
. In his one big league start (July 2, 1973 at the Astrodome) he went 0-for-4 against San Diego Padres
starter and winner Clay Kirby
. He later was acquired by the Cafeteros de Cordoba (Cordoba Coffee Dealers) of the Mexican League before the season, and never again played in the Major Leagues.
Batista died in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, at the age of 61.
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...
. He was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.
Batista was signed by the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent before the 1965 season, and drafted by the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
from 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....
in the 1967 minor league draft (November 28, 1967). He played for the Astros in and .
During his two short stints with Houston, he got into a total of 22 games, mostly 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...
. He batted .280 (7-for-25) and was excellent in the field. In eight appearances at first base he recorded twenty-six putouts, one assist
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...
, no errors
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 ...
, and participated in one 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"....
. In his one big league start (July 2, 1973 at the Astrodome) he went 0-for-4 against San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
starter and winner Clay Kirby
Clay Kirby
Clayton Laws Kirby Jr. born in Washington, D.C. was a pitcher for the San Diego Padres , Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos .Kirby led the National League in losses in 1969....
. He later was acquired by the Cafeteros de Cordoba (Cordoba Coffee Dealers) of the Mexican League before the season, and never again played in the Major Leagues.
Batista died in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, at the age of 61.