Bert Campaneris

Bert Campaneris
Bert Campaneris
	Campaneris in 2012
	Shortstop
	Born: March 9, 1942 (age 79); Pueblo Nuevo, Cuba
Batted: Right	Threw: Right
MLB debut
	July 23, 1964, for the Kansas City Athletics
Last MLB appearance
	October 1, 1983, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Batting average	.259
Hits	2,249
Runs batted in	646
Stolen bases	649
Teams
	Kansas City / Oakland Athletics (1964–1976); Texas Rangers (1977–1979); California Angels (1979–1981); New York Yankees (1983);
Career highlights and awards
	6× All-Star (1968, 1972–1975, 1977); 3× World Series champion (1972–1974); 6× AL stolen base leader (1965–1968, 1970, 1972); Athletics Hall of Fame;

Dagoberto Campaneris Blanco (born March 9, 1942), nicknamed "Bert" or "Campy", is a Cuban American former professional baseball shortstop, who played Major League Baseball (MLB) for four American League (AL) teams, primarily the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics. One of the mainstays of the Athletics' championship teams of 1972 to 1974, he holds the A's franchise records for career games played (1795), hits (1882), and at bats (7180). Campaneris led the AL in stolen bases six times between 1965 and 1972 and retired with the seventh-most steals in MLB history (649). Defensively, he led the league in putouts three times; his career totals at shortstop place him among the all-time MLB leaders in games played (5th, 2097) and double plays (7th, 1186), at that position. Campaneris is the cousin of former MLB player Jose Cardenal.

Professional career[]

A small player at 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) and 160 pounds (73 kg), the Cuban-born Campaneris was a key figure on the A's of the 1960s and 1970s. In his debut with Kansas City on July 23, 1964, Campaneris hit two home runs, the first coming on the first pitch thrown to him by Jim Kaat.^[1] He is one of only five players in major league history to hit two home runs in his first game; Bob Nieman (1951), Mark Quinn (1999), J. P. Arencibia (2010), and Trevor Story (2016) are the others to accomplish this feat.

On July 23, 1964, Campy Campaneris was introduced on air by Monte Moore, announcer, by explaining a promotional gimmick by Charlie O. Finley, of Campy riding a donkey in from the bullpen.^{[citation needed]}

In 1965, Campaneris led Kansas City in batting average (.270), and led the league in triples (12) and stolen bases (51), the latter mark being the highest total by an Athletics player since Eddie Collins's 58 in 1914 with what were then the Philadelphia Athletics and breaking Luis Aparicio's nine-year run of the American League stolen base title. In 1966 he finished 10th in the voting for the AL's Most Valuable Player award after having a similar season at the plate, but playing more regularly at shortstop.

When the A's moved to Oakland in 1968, Campaneris had perhaps his finest year, leading the league in hits (177), steals (62), and at bats (642); the last mark was an Oakland record until Johnny Damon broke it in 2001.

Between June 10 and June 21, 1969, Campaneris set a Major League record by stealing a base in 12 consecutive games, a record which still stands to 2020.^[2]

Campaneris enjoyed another fine year in 1970, batting .279 with career highs of 22 home runs and 64 runs batted in while leading the league in steals for the fifth time (42) and scoring 97 runs. He improved consistently on defense; his six double plays in an extra-inning game on September 13 of that year set an AL record, and in 1972 he led AL shortstops with 795 total chances while also breaking Collins' franchise record of 376 steals. An avid bunter, he led the league in sacrifice hits in 1972 (20), 1977 (40) and 1978 (25).

In his postseason career he had 11 RBI with 3 home runs, 4 doubles and a triple, scored 15 runs, and stole 6 bases in 37 games.

In Game 2 of the 1972 American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers, Campaneris already had three hits, two steals and two runs when in the 7th inning he faced pitcher Lerrin LaGrow. After a pitch hit him in the ankle, Campaneris threw his bat at LaGrow. The benches cleared, with Detroit manager Billy Martin going after Campaneris; both Campaneris and LaGrow were ejected. Campaneris was fined and suspended for the rest of the ALCS, as well as the first seven games of the next season, but was permitted to play in the World Series win over the Cincinnati Reds.

In the 1973 American League Championship Series, in which the A's defeated the Baltimore Orioles, he led off Game 2 with a home run, and won Game 3 with a leadoff home run in the 11th inning; in Game 7 of that year's World Series against the New York Mets, both he and Reggie Jackson hit two-run home runs in the third inning off Jon Matlack—the only two home runs Oakland would hit the entire series. The A's took a 4–0 lead and went on to win the game and repeat as world champions; Campaneris caught Wayne Garrett's pop-up for the final out of the Series. In 1974 he broke Jimmy Dykes' franchise mark for career at bats (6023), and in 1976 he broke Dykes' mark for games played (1702), as well as Al Simmons' Athletics record of 1827 career hits.

After the 1976 season, he signed with the Texas Rangers, but he saw his playing time reduced in 1978. In May 1979 he was traded to the California Angels, splitting time at shortstop over the next two seasons with Jim Anderson and Freddie Patek before playing as a reserve third baseman in 1981.

After spending 1982 in the Mexican League, Campaneris returned to the majors for a last hurrah in 1983 with Billy Martin's New York Yankees, where he batted a career-high .322 in 60 games at second and third base before retiring.

In his 19-year career Campaneris batted .259 with 79 home runs, 646 RBI, 1181 runs, 2249 hits, 313 doubles, and 86 triples in 2328 games. His 649 stolen bases place him 14th in major league history, behind only Ty Cobb and Eddie Collins in the AL. His Athletics record of 566 steals was broken by Rickey Henderson in 1990; Henderson also surpassed his Oakland records for career triples and at bats. Campaneris still retains the Athletics franchise records for career games (1702), putouts (2932), assists (5021) and double plays (934) at shortstop.

Playing all nine positions[]

Campaneris playing in a charity baseball game, 2010

On September 8, 1965, as part of a special promotion featuring the popular young player, Campaneris became the first player to play every position in a major league game.^[3] On the mound, he pitched ambidextrously, throwing lefty to left-handers, and switched against right-handers. Since then, César Tovar (Twins, 1968), Scott Sheldon (Rangers, 2000), Shane Halter (Tigers, 2000), and Andrew Romine (Tigers, 2017) have joined this select list of nine-position players in a major league game. On March 12, 2015, actor Will Ferrell played in five Major League Baseball Spring training games at all nine positions to honor Campaneris. ^[4]

Post-baseball career[]

Following his retirement, Campaneris wanted to coach in the Major Leagues, but no one gave him a chance. He then landed a few minor league opportunities, until the Seibu Lions offered him a job to coach defense and base running with them in 1987. Campaneris added a new highlight to his résumé, as the Lions won the Japan Series in both 1987 and 1988.^[5] Afterwards, Campaneris played for the Gold Coast Suns of the Senior Professional Baseball Association in its inaugural season of 1989. As the oldest everyday player in the league at 47, he hit .291 and stole 16 bases in 60 games.

Campaneris currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, and often participates in Old-Timers' games around the country. He also conducts baseball camps and is an active participant in the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, often playing in charity golf tournaments.

References[]

^ Charlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman, p.79, G. Michael Green and Roger D. Launius. Walker Publishing Company, New York, 2010, ISBN 978-0-8027-1745-0
^ "Batting Streak Finder". Stathead. Sports Reference. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
^ The Chronology | This Day in Baseball – September 8 Archived October 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
^ "Campaneris happy to offer Ferrell a few tips". mlb.com. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
^ Oakland A's/Seibu Lions Series: Bert Campaneris. Graveyard Baseball. Retrieved on February 29, 2016.

External links[]

Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball-Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
Bert Campaneris at SABR (Baseball BioProject)
Bert Campaneris at Baseball Almanac
Bert Campaneris at Pura Pelota (Venezuelan Professional Baseball League)
Bert Campaneris at ESPN Deportes: Latino Baseball Hall of Fame (inducted 2014)
Bert Campaneris at BR Bullpen

[1] Charlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman, p.79, G. Michael Green and Roger D. Launius. Walker Publishing Company, New York, 2010, ISBN 978-0-8027-1745-0

[2] "Batting Streak Finder". Stathead. Sports Reference. Retrieved 30 June 2020.

[3] The Chronology | This Day in Baseball – September 8 Archived October 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine

[4] "Campaneris happy to offer Ferrell a few tips". mlb.com. Retrieved 25 May 2017.

[5] Oakland A's/Seibu Lions Series: Bert Campaneris. Graveyard Baseball. Retrieved on February 29, 2016.

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show v t Oakland Athletics 1972 World Series champions
1 Dick Green 2 Ángel Mangual 4 Don Mincher 5 Mike Epstein 6 Sal Bando 9 Reggie Jackson 10 Dave Duncan 11 Ted Kubiak 12 Gonzalo Márquez 13 Blue Moon Odom 14 Matty Alou 16 Tim Cullen 19 Bert Campaneris 20 Mike Hegan 21 Dal Maxvill 22 Joe Horlen 24 Allan Lewis 25 George Hendrick 26 Joe Rudi 27 Catfish Hunter 30 Ken Holtzman 33 Dave Hamilton 34 Rollie Fingers 35 Vida Blue 36 Bob Locker 38 Gene Tenace (World Series MVP)
Manager 23 Dick Williams Coaches 40 Bill Posedel 41 Jerry Adair 43 Irv Noren 44 Vern Hoscheit
Regular season American League Championship Series

show v t Oakland Athletics 1973 World Series champions
1 Dick Green 2 Ángel Mangual 4 Bill North 6 Sal Bando 7 Deron Johnson 9 Reggie Jackson (AL and World Series MVP) 10 Ray Fosse 11 Ted Kubiak 13 Blue Moon Odom 14 Vida Blue 16 Billy Conigliaro 17 Mike Andrews 18 Gene Tenace 19 Bert Campaneris 22 Jesús Alou 24 Allan Lewis 25 Paul Lindblad 26 Joe Rudi 27 Catfish Hunter 28 Horacio Piña 30 Ken Holtzman 32 Darold Knowles 34 Rollie Fingers 37 Vic Davalillo 38 Pat Bourque
Manager 23 Dick Williams Coaches 40 Wes Stock 41 Jerry Adair 43 Irv Noren 44 Vern Hoscheit
Regular season American League Championship Series

show v t Oakland Athletics 1974 World Series champions
1 Dick Green 2 Ángel Mangual 3 Herb Washington 4 Billy North 6 Sal Bando 8 Manny Trillo 9 Reggie Jackson 10 Ray Fosse 12 Larry Haney 13 Blue Moon Odom 14 Vida Blue 15 Claudell Washington 16 Dal Maxvill 18 Gene Tenace 19 Bert Campaneris 22 Jesús Alou 25 Paul Lindblad 26 Joe Rudi 27 Catfish Hunter (CYA) 30 Ken Holtzman 32 Darold Knowles 33 Dave Hamilton 34 Rollie Fingers (World Series MVP) 37 Glenn Abbott 38 Jim Holt
Manager 5 Alvin Dark Coaches 40 Wes Stock 41 Jerry Adair 43 Bobby Winkles 44 Bobby Hofman
Regular season American League Championship Series