A three-time All-Star, Sanguillén's lifetime batting average of .296 is the fourth-highest by a catcher since World War II, and tenth-highest for catchers in Major League Baseball history.[2] Although he was often overshadowed by his contemporary Johnny Bench, Sanguillén was considered one of the best catchers in Major League baseball in the early 1970s.[3][4] While he didn't possess Bench's power hitting ability, Sanguillen hit for a higher batting average.[3][5] He was an integral member of the Pirates teams that won three consecutive National League Eastern Divisionpennants between 1970 and 1972, and a World Series victory in 1971.[5] Sanguillen was also a fast baserunner for a catcher and was a good defensive player with a strong throwing arm.[6]
Major League career
Sanguillén was born in Colón, Panama. Author Kal Wagenheim, who interviewed Sanguillen among many others while researching his 1973 biography of Roberto Clemente, notes that the Pirates' catcher came to baseball remarkably late.
Sanguillen grew up in a tough barrio and didn't touch a baseball until he was nineteen, when he heard a pastor preaching sermons on a street corner, joined the Evangelical Baptist Church, and became a member of the church team. Two years later he was signed to play professional baseball.[7][a]
On the field, Sanguillen was notorious for being a "bad-ball" hitter.[5] Most pitchers will try to strike out an aggressive, free-swinging hitter by forcing him to swing at pitches outside the strike zone when he had two strikes on him. Sanguillen often irritated opposing pitchers and managers by hitting bad pitches for base hits.[5] He rarely walked, and was the only player since 1900 with at least six straight seasons with 475 plate appearances and fewer than 22 walks.[citation needed] This was also why, in spite of his high batting average, his on-base percentage was lower than the league average over his career.[citation needed]
After playing for three years in the minor leagues, Sanguillen joined the Pirates in 1967, playing in 30 games.[1] He played another season in the minor leagues in 1968, before returning to the Major Leagues in 1969. He replaced Jerry May as the Pirates starting catcher and posted a .303 batting average.[1] He solidified his reputation as one of the top hitting catchers in baseball by hitting for a .325 batting average in 1970, finishing third in the National League batting championship behind Rico Carty and Joe Torre.[10]
After the tragic death of Roberto Clemente before the 1973 season, the Pirates slated Sanguillen to take Clemente's place in right field.[16][17] By mid-June, it was apparent that Sanguillen couldn't adapt to playing the outfield and he was moved back to the catcher's position.[17] Sanguillen had another strong year in 1975, when he posted a .328 batting average, third in the National League batting championship behind Bill Madlock and Ted Simmons.[18] In 1977, Sanguillen was traded by the Pirates to the Oakland Athletics for the services of then-A's manager Chuck Tanner and $100,000 as a settlement of Tanner's contract with the A's.[19]
Sanguillen was a close friend of his teammate Roberto Clemente. In 1972, Sanguillen, who had been playing winter baseball with the San Juan Senators, spoke to Clemente about accompanying him on a relief mission to Nicaragua. Sanguillen missed the plane because he had misplaced his car key and was totally devastated when he learned the plane had crashed, killing Clemente. Against the advice of Pirates General Manager Joe Brown, Sanguillen insisted on helping to recover the bodies of those who died in the crash. The sight of many sharks swimming in the water did not stop Sanguillen. As Pirates teammate Steve Blass told The Sporting News, "Manny dove from dawn till midnight." So focused on this task was he that he missed the January 4 memorial service attended by his Pirates teammates.[22]
Career statistics
In a 13-year career, Sanguillen played in 1,448 games, accumulating 1,500 hits in 5,062 at bats for a .296 career batting average, along with 65 home runs and 585 runs batted in.[1] He ended his career with a .986 fielding percentage.[1] Sanguillen was the Pirates' catcher on September 20, 1969 when Bob Moose pitched a no-hitter.[23] Along with his three All-Star Game appearances, he was a member of two world championship winning teams in 1971 and 1979, and finished in eighth place in the 1971Most Valuable Player Award balloting results.[24] Sanguillen edged out Johnny Bench on The Sporting News National League All-Star Team in 1971, the only time between 1967 and 1975 that Bench was not selected.[25]
Sanguillen currently operates "Manny's BBQ", a barbecue-style concession stand at the Pirates' current home, PNC Park. He sits in a chair greeting fans in line to buy food, signing autographs and posing for photos.
^His rapid transition from baseball novice notwithstanding, Sanguillen's connection and commitment to the Baptist faith proved considerably more durable,[8] and to Protestantism as whole, more durable still.[9]
^"Sanguillen to Speak". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 16, 1974. p. 8. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
^"Religion Notes". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 5, 1983. p. 8. ProQuest1859798472. Manny Sanguillen of the Pittsburgh Pirates will be the guest speaker at 8 a.m. today at the men's Lenten breakfast of the Monroeville United Methodist Church.
