On this date (October 12) 55 years ago (1963), MLB hosted it first (and only) Hispanic All-Star Game – which, coincidentally, was also the last major league contest ever played at New York’s Polo Grounds (the Mets moved to Shea the next season). In this post, Baseball Roundtable will:
- Reflect on the 1963 Hispanic All Star Game;
- Review the All-Time Latino All-Star Team named by MLB in 2012 (based on a survey of baseball experts), as well as the Latino Legends team selected by the fans in 2005.
- Share a few of BBRT’s All-Time Latino MLB selections (and comment on potential future additions to that roll).
Side note: Throughout the reporting related to these “All Time” squads, the terms Hispanic and Latino are used relativley interchangeably. So, BBRT will follow suit.
THE 1963 MLB HISPANIC ALL STAR GAME
Vic Power was selected as the top Latino MLB Playeer in 1963.
The 1963 MLB Hispanic All Star Game drew a rather meager crowd of 14,235 to see such stars as Juan Marichal, Roberto Clemente, Luis Aparicio, Tony Oliva, Minnie Minoso, Felipe Alou, Orlando Cepeda and Vic Power. In pre-game ceremonies, Vic Power was honored as the number-one Latino player; Juan Marichal as the top Latino pitcher; and Orlando Cepeda as the most popular Latino player. Here’s the box score for the contest, won the by National Leaguers by a 5-2 score.
AL 000 000 0002 2 7 2
NL 100 301 00x 5 9 2
AL AB H R RBI
L. Aparicio SS 4 0 0 0
V. Power 1B 3 0 0 0
J. Becquer 1B 1 0 0 0
T. Oliva RF 5 0 2 1
H. Lopez LF 2 0 1 0
M. Minoso LF 2 0 0 0
J. Azcue C 4 0 0 0
R. Majias CF 3 0 1 0
F. Mantilla 3B 4 0 0 0
Z. Versalles 2B 4 1 1 0
P. Ramos P 2 0 1 0
D. Segui P 2 1 1 0
NL
L. Cardenas SS-2B 4 0 0 0
F. Alou LF 4 0 1 1
O. Cepeda 1B 3 1 1 0
R. Amaro 1B 1 0 0 0
T. Gonzalez CF 3 2 2 0
R. Clemente RF 2 0 0 0
A. McBean P 1 0 1 1
J. Pignatano C 1 0 0 0
E. Bauta P 0 0 0 0
J. Javier 2B 2 1 2 1
C. Fernandez 3B 2 0 0 0
C. Baragan C 3 0 0 0
J. Marichal P 1 0 0 0
M. Mota RF 2 0 2 2
2B – Oliva; 3B – McBean; SB – Taylor, Javiar, Aparicio
Pitching
AL IP H R ER BB SO
P. Ramos (L) 5 6 4 4 1 4
D. Segui 3 3 1 1 1 1
NL
J. Marichal 4 2 0 0 0 6
A. McBean (W) 4 3 0 0 2 4
E. Bauta 1 2 2 2 1 0
—–ALL TIME LATINO ALL STARS (2012) AND LATINO LEGENDS (2005)—–
Now, let’s look at the All-Time Latino All-Star team of 2012, with the 2005 Latino Legends team selected by the fans.
2012 2005
Catcher Ivan Rodriguez Ivan Rodriguez
First Base Albert Pujols Albert Pujols
Second Base Roberto Alomar Rod Carew
Third Base Alex Rodriguez Edgar Martinez
Shortstop Louis Aparicio Alex Rodriguez
Outfield Roberto Clemente Roberto Clemente
Outfield Ted Williams Manny Ramirez
Outfield Reggie Jackson Vlad Guerrero
Designated Hitter Edgar Martinez
RH Pitcher Juan Marichal Juan Marichal/Pedro Martinez
LH Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela Pedro Martinez
Closer Mariano Rivera Mariano Rivera
Manager Felipe Alou
You can form your own opinions – and even put together your own all-Latino team. Here, for what they are worth, are BBRT’s comments on the 2005 and 2012 selections, as well as on current players who may very well prove to be future “Latino Legends.”
Catcher – Hall of Famer Ivan Rodriguez is a clear choice and was the backstop on both the 2005 and 2012 teams. Hard to argue with 13 Gold Gloves, 14 All-Star selections, a league MVP Award, 2,844 hits, a .296 career average, 311 home runs and more than 1,300 runs scored and RBI.
In today’s game, the Cardinals’ Yadier Molino deserves mention – 15 MLB seasons, eight Gold Gloves, nine All Star Selections and a .282 average, with 146 home runs and 859 RBI.
First Base – Albert Pujols made both the 2005 and 2012 lists and the stats tell the story. Having just completed his 18th MLB season, Pujols has 3,082 hits, a career .302 average, 633 home runs, 1,982 RBI, a Rookie of the Year Award, three MVP Awards and ten All-Star Selections. Orlando Cepeda and Rafael Palmeiro are the closest competitors, but Pujols belongs on top.
Second Base – Wow, two Hall of Famers here – Roberto Alomar (2012 list) and Rod Carew (2005). A tough one. Carew clearly leads the “Awards Race” – Rookie of the Year, an MVP Award, seven batting titles, 18 All-Star selections in 19 seasons. Still, BBRT would go with Alomar. While Carew leads Alomar in hits (3,053 to 2,724) and career average (.328 to .300), Alomar (a 12-time All Star) leads Rapid Rodney in runs scored (1,508 to 1,424), RBI (1,134 to 1,015), home runs (210 to 92) and stolen bases (474 to 353). The clincher, however, comes not at the plate or on the base paths – Alomar leads in Gold Gloves 10 to 0.
If you were selecting an All Time Latino/Hispanic team today, the Astros’ Jose Altuve would be right up there at 2B with Roberto Alomar and Rod Carew. After eight MLB seasons, the 28-year-old Altuve already has an MVP Award and three batting titles – as well as six All Star selections, two stolen base titles, a .316 career average, four 200+ hit seasons and a Gold Glove.
Third Base – Interesting results here. The 2012 team has Alex Rodriguez (who made one of the Latino All Star lists as a shortstop and one as a third baseman) and the 2005 team has Edgar Martinez (who made one list as a DH and one as a third baseman). BBRT is taking the easy way out and going with A-Rod at the hot corner (and, as you will see later, Martinez at DH). Rodriguez was a 14-time All Star, three-time MVP, five-time league home run leader and one-time batting champion. If that’s not enough, he tallied 3,115 hits, 696 home runs, 2,086 RBI, 2,021 runs, 329 stolen bases and a .295 career average.
The Rangers’ Adrian Beltre should draw support for future All-Latino teams – thanks to his superior combination of leather and lumber. Beltre ended his 2018 season with five Gold Gloves, 3,166 hits, 477 home runs, 1,707 RBI, 1.,524 runs scored 121 steals and a .286 average.
Also on the horizon is Rockies’ 3B Nolan Arenado (born in California, but of Cuban/Puerto Rican descent). In six MLB seasons, the 27-year-old has won five gold gloves, is a four-time All Star, led the NL in home runs three times and in RBI twice. His current career average is .291, with 186 home runs and 616 RBI.
The Yankees’ 23-year-old Miguel Adujar still has a lot to prove – but a rookie season line of .297-27-92 show the potential to join the ranks of all-time Hispanic players.
Shortstop – Placing A-Rod at third base on BBRT’s All-Latino team paves the way for BBRT’s shortstop pick – Louis Aparicio (from the 2012 list). Although not blessed with a powerful bat (.262 career average with 83 home runs), Aparicio led the AL in stolen basis nine times (and totaled 506 stolen bases), scored 1,335 runs, earned 10 All-Star selections and captured nine Gold Gloves. Fortunately, I could place A-Rod at third and give this slick-fielding speedster his due.
Most likely to give Luis Aparicio competition (for All-Time Latino shortstop) on future lists is the Indians’ Francisco Lindor. The 24-year-old, a four-season MLB “veteran,” already has three All Star selections and a Gold Glove. Over those four seasons, he has hit .288, with 98 home runs (71 in the past two campaigns), 310 RBI and 71 steals.
Outfield – I have to start with Roberto Clemente (on both the 2005 and 2012 lists): 12-time All Star; 12-time Gold Glover; four-time batting champ and one-time NL MVP; who collected 3,000 hits, 240 home runs, 1,416 runs scored and 1,305 RBI.
Next is the less obvious pick – Ted Williams (2012 list). How does Ted make the all-Latino list? Very simply, his mother was Mexican. Williams needs no justification, but here a partial list: 17 All-Star selections; six batting titles; two MVP Awards; four home run titles; two Triple Crowns; a .344 career average; 521 home runs; 1,798 runs scored; and 1,839 RBI. No doubt, Teddy Ballgame is in.
BBRT’s final choice in the outfield reflects a combination of logic and sentiment. First, BBRT eliminated controversial choices, particularly any possible PED issues. BBRT also considered attitude and how the player contributed to the reputation of the game. That led to agreement with the fans’ 2005 choice Vlad Guerrero – nine-time All Star, League MVP, 449 home runs, 1,496 RBI, 1,328 runs scored, 181 stolen bases. There were plenty of choices here, all falling behind for one reason or another – Manny Ramirez, Juan Gonzalez, Reggie Jackson, Sammy Sosa and Minnie Minoso – to name just a few. BBRT also had a soft spot for Tony Oliva – an eight-time All-Star and three-time batting champ (his home run, runs scored and RBI totals just didn’t match up with Vlad).
Among today’s outfield “stars,” the Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton is gaining ground. In nine seasons, the 28-year-old has been an All Star four times, won the 2017 NL MVP Award, captured a pair of home run titles and one RBI crown. He already has 305 home runs and 772 RBI on his resume – but the .268 career average may keep him on the bench with the All-Time Latino team.
Looking to the longer-term future, the Braves’ 20-year-old rookie Ronald Acuna, Jr. (.293-26-64, 16 steals in 111 games) and Nationals’ 19-year-old freshman Juan Soto (.292-22-70 in 116 games) are off to good starts.
DH – I needed a spot for Edgar Martinez. He’s a seven-time All-Star, two-time batting champ, who retired with 2,247 hits, a .312 average, 309 home runs, 1,219 runs scored and 1,261 RBI – most accumulated at DH.
If BBRT was filling out a new All-Latino list (rather than reflecting on the 2005 and 2012 selections), I’d go with David Ortiz who, in 20 seaons, made ten All Star teams, hitting .286, with 541 home runs and 1,768 RBI – and became a true Boston hero.
Right-Handed Starter – Tough contest, and while the 2012 experts went for Juan Marichal, BBRT is selecting Pedro Martinez (who made it on the 2005 squad along with Marichal). Here’s the case: While Marichal leads Martinez in wins 243 to 219, Martinez holds the edge in winning percentage .687 to .631. Then there is earned run average – Marichal holds a slight edge 2.89 to 2.93, but measured against their peers, Martinez led his league in ERA five times to just once for Marichal. Marichal did have six twenty-win seasons to just two for Martinez, but Pedro captured three Cy Young Awards to one for Juan. Marichal also hold a big lead in complete games 244 to 46, but led the league in complete games twice to Martinez’ once. Martinez enjoys a big league in strikeouts 3,154 to 2,303, leading his league three times to none for Marichal. Tough to compare pitchers from different eras, but for BBRT – when compared to his peers – Martinez was more dominant than Marichal. So, Pedro gets a VERY SLIGHT edge.
In addition to Pedro Martinez and Juan Marichal, BBRT would give consideration to: Bartolo Colon (247-188, 4.12) – how can you ignore a player known as “Big Sexy”, who also has four All Star selections, two twenty-win seasons and a Cy Young Award; Dennis Martinez (245-193, 3.70 in 22 MLB seasons), a four-time All Star; and Luis Tiant (229-172, 3.30), a four-time twenty-game winner.
Among the current crop of hurlers who could work their way up the rankings are the Indians’ Carlos Carrasco (17-10, 3.38 last season), who has three 200+ strikeout seasons in the past four campaigns; 23-year-old German Marquez of the Rockies, who went 14-11, 3.77 with 230 whiffs in 196 innings in 2018; and two-time All Star, 26-year-old, Cardinal Carlos Martinez (54-38, 3.37).
Finally, you have to recognize the Marlins’ Jose Fernandez, who was well on his way to a spot near the top of this list before his untimely death in 2016 (at age 23). In his final season, Fernandez went 16-8, 2.86, with 253 strikeouts in 182 1/3 innings.
Left-Handed Starter – For lefties, Fernando-mania (Fernando Valenzuela) reigns on both lists … although the statistics are far less gaudy than a handful of other Latino lefties. This six-time All Star rang up a 173-153 career record with one Cy Young Award; a 3.54 ERA; one-time league leadership in wins; three-time leadership in complete games; one-time leadership in shutouts; and 2,074 strikeouts (one strikeout crown) – to go along with a personality that brought new life to and spurred greater Latino interest in West Coast baseball.
If BBRT was making the selection from a blank slate, I’d have gone with Hall of Famer Lefty Gomez (189-102, 3.34 over 14 seasons), a seven-time All Star, four-time twenty-game winner (led the AL in wins twice), two-time AL ERA leader, three-time league leader in shutouts and three-time league leader in strikeouts.
Closer – All you need to say is Mariano Rivera and “case closed.” Rivera racked up a major league record 652 saves to go with an 82-60 record and 2.21 ERA, leading the AL in saves three times and earning 13 All-Star selections. As a closer, he was as close to a sure thing as you can get.
There are a couple of “up-and-comers: in the All-Latino closer category; 23-year-old Roberto Osuna of the Astros, who already has 116 saves (10-15, 2.78 with 272 strikeouts in 245 2/3 innings) and Yankees’ flamethrower Aroldis Chapman (30-24, 2.24, 236 saves in nine seasons), with 798 punch outs in 478 2/3 innings. However, it’s a long way to 600 saves, so Rivera’s spot looks pretty darn secure.
BBRT welcomes your comments on these choices, or other nominees to rank among the greatest Latino players of all time.
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Member: Society for America Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
