Tony Eusebio
Encyclopedia
Raul Antonio Bare Eusebio (born April 27, 1967 in San José de los Llanos
, Dominican Republic
) is a former Major League Baseball
catcher
who played for the Houston Astros
.
In 2000, Eusebio set a Houston Astros franchise record for consecutive games with a hit with 24, although the mark has since been surpassed by Jeff Kent
and Willy Taveras
. Because Eusebio was a catcher and did not play in every game, his 24-game hitting streak
came over a span of 51 days in which time the Astros played 45 games. This was the longest time ever for a 24-game single season streak. The streak tied for longest in the National League
in 2000. During and after his streak, Eusebio was often referred to affectionately as "The Astro Clipper" in a sort of mock homage to Joe DiMaggio
, "The Yankee Clipper" and holder of the MLB record hit streak.
. He started his professional career at age 18 with the Gulf Coast League
Astros that same year, although he only played in one game and had one at bat. In 1986, Eusebio played in the Dominican Summer League. Eusebio rejoined the Rookie League team in 1987 and steadily rose through the Astros' minor league
ranks. In 1988, he played for the High-A Osceola Astros and stole a career high 20 bases. Eusebio also appeared on the 40-man winter roster in 1988, and joined the Astros' big-league camp during spring training
in 1989. After spring training, he started the year at the AA Columbus Mudcats
before being sent back down to the Osceola Astros
after hitting .187. In 1990, Eusebio again played for the Columbus Mudcats. He led all Southern League catchers with a .994 fielding percentage before suffering a broken thumb on August 4, 1990. Eusebio also appeared in the Southern League All-Star game in 1990. At the start of the 1991 season, he played for the AA Jackson Generals.
was placed on the 15-day disabled list after sustatining a broken bone in his right hand. Five days later, Eusebio would make his Major League debut, starting a game on August 8, 1991 against the San Diego Padres
. Eusebio would go on to appear in 10 games for the Astros, hitting .105 in 19 at-bats.
, appearing in 78 games and hitting .324. While at Tucson, Eusebio compiled a 24-game hitting streak before being placed on the disabled list. He would go on to set a Tucson Toros record by extending this hitting streak to 30 games during a rehab stint in 1996.
in 1994, Eusebio made the Major League squad. During the strike shortened season Eusebio hit .296 with 30 RBI
s in just 55 games. His play was such that he won the starting catcher's job over previous starter Scott Servais, and garnered consideration in the National League Rookie of the Year race.
In 1995, Eusebio appeared in a career high 113 games for the Astros hitting an all-time best .299 and posting over 100 hits for the only time in his career. For much of the year Eusebio led the Astros in batting average, although his production tailed off in September. Entering the 1996 season, newly acquired catcher Rick Wilkins was expected to get most of the work behind the plate with Eusebio reserved to facing left-handed opposing pitchers. Compounding his diminished role, Eusebio suffered a left-wrist sprain in spring training and later spent over a month on the disabled-list due to a cyst that was surgically removed from this the same wrist. Less than a week after returning to the lineup, Eusebio suffered a broken bone in his left hand and missed another month and a half. Because of his multiple injuries, Eusebio appeared in only 58 games hitting .270.
Before the 1997 season, the Astros traded for catcher Brad Ausmus
. After manager Larry Dierker
made known his intentions to have Ausmus start a vast majority of games, Eusebio requested to be traded from the team. Dierker would later agree to give Eusebio more playing time, although the manager made it clear he wished Eusebio would improve his defensive skills. However, as the season wore on, Eusebio would gradually see less playing time due to a nagging knee injury. His playing time would later be reduced to only catching when Darryl Kile
pitched, and the injury would force him to have arthroscopic surgery during the offseason.
The 1998 season began with Eusebio in the same backup catcher role he occupied in 1997. After successfully recovering from offseason surgery, Eusebio made a noticeable offensive difference in the games he started. After the season, the Astros traded away Brad Ausmus leaving a void at the starting catcher position. Expressing his confidence in Eusebio, Astros General Manager Gerry Hunsicker stated, "I can't make the Ausmus trade if we don't have Tony." Eusebio would split playing time with catcher Paul Bako
during the 1999 season, ultimately hitting .272 and appearing in 103 games. Eusebio would also hit a home run in the last game played at the Astrodome, a 7-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves
in the 1999 National League Division Series.
After the 1999 season, Eusebio became a free agent
for the first time. In November of that year he signed a 2-year $2.4 million contract with the Astros and was projected to be the starting catcher. Eusebio started opening day, but as the season wore on his playing time was cut due to his low batting average and the Astros' commitment to new catcher Mitch Meluskey
. Despite this slow start, Eusebio's hitting picked up in the second half of the season. His hot streak culminated on 2000-08-28 when he hit safely in his 24th consecutive game, setting an Astros' record. This accomplishment brought him the most recognition of his career, but just a few days later Eusebio's season ended when he suffered a dislocated shoulder after a headfirst fall over the Astros' dugout railing. Shortly afterwards, Eusebio had successful surgery to repair the injury.
Coming into the 2001 season, Eusebio's role as a backup catcher was solidified by the Astros' re-acquisition of Brad Ausmus. Eusebio appeared in only 59 games, hitting .253. He played his final major league game on 2001-10-12 going 2-3 with a double and a run scored as the Atlanta Braves swept the Astros in the National League Division Series.
for many years. Although known as an easygoing person outside of the court, Eusebio presided over it with a firm demeanor. "No one got away from the court," Eusebio said. "It didn't matter how popular you were or how much money you made. In that court, everyone was the same."
and he again became a free agent. On January 4, 2002 the Colorado Rockies
agreed to terms with Eusebio on a one-year, $550,000 contract. After showing up to spring training overweight and refusing to play with a minor league club, Eusebio was placed on waivers before the regular season started and did not play in the majors that year. In 2003, the Montreal Expos
invited him to camp. After hitting .111 in spring training, Eusebio did not make the team.
San José de los Llanos
San José de los Llanos is a municipality of the San Pedro de Macorís province in the Dominican Republic. Within the municipality there are two municipal districts : Gautier and El Puerto....
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
) is a former 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...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
who played for 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...
.
In 2000, Eusebio set a Houston Astros franchise record for consecutive games with a hit with 24, although the mark has since been surpassed by Jeff Kent
Jeff Kent
Jeffrey Franklin Kent is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman. Kent won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2000 with the San Francisco Giants, and is the all-time leader in home runs among second basemen...
and Willy Taveras
Willy Taveras
Willy Taveras is a Major League Baseball center fielder.-Houston Astros:Taveras played in 10 games at the end of the Astros season, mostly as a pinch runner....
. Because Eusebio was a catcher and did not play in every game, his 24-game hitting streak
Hitting streak
In baseball, a hitting streak refers to the number of consecutive official games in which a player gets at least one base hit.According to the Official Baseball Rules, such a streak is ended when a player has at least 1 plate appearance and no hits...
came over a span of 51 days in which time the Astros played 45 games. This was the longest time ever for a 24-game single season streak. The streak tied for longest in the 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...
in 2000. During and after his streak, Eusebio was often referred to affectionately as "The Astro Clipper" in a sort of mock homage to Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio , nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper," was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak , a record that still stands...
, "The Yankee Clipper" and holder of the MLB record hit streak.
Minor Leagues (1985-1991)
Tony Eusebio signed with the Astros on May 30, 1985 as an undrafted free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He started his professional career at age 18 with the Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
Astros that same year, although he only played in one game and had one at bat. In 1986, Eusebio played in the Dominican Summer League. Eusebio rejoined the Rookie League team in 1987 and steadily rose through the Astros' minor league
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...
ranks. In 1988, he played for the High-A Osceola Astros and stole a career high 20 bases. Eusebio also appeared on the 40-man winter roster in 1988, and joined the Astros' big-league camp during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in 1989. After spring training, he started the year at the AA Columbus Mudcats
Carolina Mudcats
The Carolina Mudcats are a minor league baseball team based in the eastern suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the Carolina League, are the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians major-league club beginning in 2012.-History:...
before being sent back down to the Osceola Astros
Osceola Astros
The Osceola Astros were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1985 to 1994. They played in the Florida State League and were affiliated with the Houston Astros. They were based in Kissimmee, Florida, making them the first professional baseball team from Kissimmee...
after hitting .187. In 1990, Eusebio again played for the Columbus Mudcats. He led all Southern League catchers with a .994 fielding percentage before suffering a broken thumb on August 4, 1990. Eusebio also appeared in the Southern League All-Star game in 1990. At the start of the 1991 season, he played for the AA Jackson Generals.
First taste of the Majors (1991)
On August 4, 1991 Eusebio was called up from the Jackson Generals when Astros catcher Scott ServaisScott Servais
Scott Daniel Servais is the current director of player development for the Texas Rangers, and a former Major League Baseball player...
was placed on the 15-day disabled list after sustatining a broken bone in his right hand. Five days later, Eusebio would make his Major League debut, starting a game on August 8, 1991 against the 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...
. Eusebio would go on to appear in 10 games for the Astros, hitting .105 in 19 at-bats.
Back to the minors (1992-1993)
Eusebio spent the 1992 season at the AA Jackson Generals, appearing in 94 games and hitting .307 which ranked third in the league. He was also named to the league's post season All-Star team. In 1993, he played at the AAA Tucson TorosTucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
, appearing in 78 games and hitting .324. While at Tucson, Eusebio compiled a 24-game hitting streak before being placed on the disabled list. He would go on to set a Tucson Toros record by extending this hitting streak to 30 games during a rehab stint in 1996.
In the majors for good (1994-2001)
After hitting .625 during spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in 1994, Eusebio made the Major League squad. During the strike shortened season Eusebio hit .296 with 30 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
s in just 55 games. His play was such that he won the starting catcher's job over previous starter Scott Servais, and garnered consideration in the National League Rookie of the Year race.
In 1995, Eusebio appeared in a career high 113 games for the Astros hitting an all-time best .299 and posting over 100 hits for the only time in his career. For much of the year Eusebio led the Astros in batting average, although his production tailed off in September. Entering the 1996 season, newly acquired catcher Rick Wilkins was expected to get most of the work behind the plate with Eusebio reserved to facing left-handed opposing pitchers. Compounding his diminished role, Eusebio suffered a left-wrist sprain in spring training and later spent over a month on the disabled-list due to a cyst that was surgically removed from this the same wrist. Less than a week after returning to the lineup, Eusebio suffered a broken bone in his left hand and missed another month and a half. Because of his multiple injuries, Eusebio appeared in only 58 games hitting .270.
Before the 1997 season, the Astros traded for catcher Brad Ausmus
Brad Ausmus
Bradley David "Brad" Ausmus is a former All Star catcher in Major League Baseball, and currently a special assistant for the San Diego Padres....
. After manager Larry Dierker
Larry Dierker
Lawrence Edward Dierker is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and manager. During a 14-year baseball career as a pitcher, he pitched from 1964–1977 for the Houston Colt .45s/Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals...
made known his intentions to have Ausmus start a vast majority of games, Eusebio requested to be traded from the team. Dierker would later agree to give Eusebio more playing time, although the manager made it clear he wished Eusebio would improve his defensive skills. However, as the season wore on, Eusebio would gradually see less playing time due to a nagging knee injury. His playing time would later be reduced to only catching when Darryl Kile
Darryl Kile
Darryl Andrew Kile was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1991-2002 for three different teams in his career. In his first season for the Cardinals, he won 20 games in 2000 as the team reached the postseason for the first time in four years. They advanced to the...
pitched, and the injury would force him to have arthroscopic surgery during the offseason.
The 1998 season began with Eusebio in the same backup catcher role he occupied in 1997. After successfully recovering from offseason surgery, Eusebio made a noticeable offensive difference in the games he started. After the season, the Astros traded away Brad Ausmus leaving a void at the starting catcher position. Expressing his confidence in Eusebio, Astros General Manager Gerry Hunsicker stated, "I can't make the Ausmus trade if we don't have Tony." Eusebio would split playing time with catcher Paul Bako
Paul Bako
Gabor Paul Bako II is a catcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. Bako is an example of a baseball "journeyman", having played for 11 different major league teams during his 12-year career...
during the 1999 season, ultimately hitting .272 and appearing in 103 games. Eusebio would also hit a home run in the last game played at the Astrodome, a 7-5 loss to 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 1999 National League Division Series.
After the 1999 season, Eusebio became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
for the first time. In November of that year he signed a 2-year $2.4 million contract with the Astros and was projected to be the starting catcher. Eusebio started opening day, but as the season wore on his playing time was cut due to his low batting average and the Astros' commitment to new catcher Mitch Meluskey
Mitch Meluskey
Mitchell Wade Meluskey is a retired professional baseball player. He played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1998 and 2003, for the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers, primarily as a catcher....
. Despite this slow start, Eusebio's hitting picked up in the second half of the season. His hot streak culminated on 2000-08-28 when he hit safely in his 24th consecutive game, setting an Astros' record. This accomplishment brought him the most recognition of his career, but just a few days later Eusebio's season ended when he suffered a dislocated shoulder after a headfirst fall over the Astros' dugout railing. Shortly afterwards, Eusebio had successful surgery to repair the injury.
Coming into the 2001 season, Eusebio's role as a backup catcher was solidified by the Astros' re-acquisition of Brad Ausmus. Eusebio appeared in only 59 games, hitting .253. He played his final major league game on 2001-10-12 going 2-3 with a double and a run scored as the Atlanta Braves swept the Astros in the National League Division Series.
Kangaroo Court
In addition to his playing duties, Eusebio also ran the Astros' Kangaroo CourtKangaroo court
A kangaroo court is "a mock court in which the principles of law and justice are disregarded or perverted".The outcome of a trial by kangaroo court is essentially determined in advance, usually for the purpose of ensuring conviction, either by going through the motions of manipulated procedure or...
for many years. Although known as an easygoing person outside of the court, Eusebio presided over it with a firm demeanor. "No one got away from the court," Eusebio said. "It didn't matter how popular you were or how much money you made. In that court, everyone was the same."
Rockies, Expos playing attempts (2002-2003)
After the 2001 season, the Astros did not offer Eusebio arbitrationArbitration
Arbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
and he again became a free agent. On January 4, 2002 the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
agreed to terms with Eusebio on a one-year, $550,000 contract. After showing up to spring training overweight and refusing to play with a minor league club, Eusebio was placed on waivers before the regular season started and did not play in the majors that year. In 2003, the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
invited him to camp. After hitting .111 in spring training, Eusebio did not make the team.