Luis Aparicio
The most feared base stealer in the American League during the late 1950s and early 1960s, Luis Aparicio led his circuit in thefts a record nine straight seasons. The 1956 Rookie of the Year, Aparicio was largely responsible for bringing the stolen base back into favor in the American League. On the White Sox he teamed with Nellie Fox to form one of the finest double play duos in history. Later, with the Orioles, he joined Jerry Adair and Brooks Robinson in one of the best defensive infields ever. "Little Looey" won nine Gold Gloves in three different decades.
Played For
Chicago White Sox (1956-1962)
Baltimore Orioles (1963-1967)
Chicago White Sox (1968-1970)
Boston Red Sox (1971-1973)
All-Time Rankings
Luis Aparicio ranks #18 among the Top 50 all-time at SS. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1959
Led the AL with 56 steals, helping the ChiSox garner the pennant. Finished second in MVP voting to teammate Nellie Fox, the only time, as far as I know, that a double play duo did so.
Luis Aparicio, Hall of Famer!
In January 1984, during a winter league game played at Pan Am Stadium in Caracas, Venezuela, the announcement was made that native son Luis Aparicio had been elected to the Hall of Fame. The 10,000 fans attending the game erupted in a deafening applause that lasted several minutes. Shortly, several scattered groups throughout the stadium began singing the Venezuelan national anthem. Soon, everyone in the stands was singing, and play was stopped on the field. Players on both teams stood at attention and faced the flag pole in center field.
Hits Leaders, American League (1961-1971)
Brooks Robinson... 1,845
Carl Yastrzemski... 1,832
Luis Aparicio... 1,669
Al Kaline... 1,495
Harmon Killebrew... 1,479
Where He Played
Shortstop, exclusively.
Born
Luis Ernesto (Montiel) Aparicio was born on April 29, 1934, in Maracaibo
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: SS
Primary Team: CHA
Major League Debut
April 17, 1956
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1956
Frank Robinson
Luis Aparicio
Bill Mazeroski
Curt Flood
Don Drysdale
Moe Drabowsky
Tito Francona
Charlie Lau
Whitey Herzog
Nicknames
Little Looey, Little Louie
Uniform Numbers
#11 (1956-1973)
Similar Players
Ozzie Smith, Rabbit Maranville
Related Players
Nellie Fox
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1979 |
BBWAA |
120 |
27.8% |
1980 |
BBWAA |
124 |
32.2% |
1981 |
BBWAA |
48 |
12.0% |
1982 |
BBWAA |
174 |
41.9% |
1983 |
BBWAA |
252 |
67.4% |
1984 |
BBWAA |
341 |
84.6% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1959 World Series
1966 World Series
Awards and Honors
1956 AL Rookie of the Year
1958 AL Gold Glove
1959 AL Gold Glove
1960 AL Gold Glove
1961 AL Gold Glove
1962 AL Gold Glove
1964 AL Gold Glove
1966 AL Gold Glove
1968 AL Gold Glove
1970 AL Gold Glove
Feats
Aparicio strung together a 15-game hitting streak toward the end of the 1957 season, finally being stopped on September 23 as a pinch-hitter. Aparicio batted .379 during the streak and raised his season average 13 points. He finished at .257 in his second big league season.
Notes
One source claims that Luis Aparicio and Nellie Fox, both of small stature, had a pre-game habit involving their height, or lack thereof. It's said that the two infielders would race from the dugout, and the first one to reach second base got to stand on the bag during the National Anthem, so as to appear taller.
Hitting Streaks
17 games (1966)
16 games (1961)
15 games (1966)
Transactions
Before 1954 Season: Signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent; January 14, 1963: Traded by the Chicago White Sox with Al Smith to the Baltimore Orioles for Hoyt Wilhelm, Dave Nicholson, Pete Ward, and Ron Hansen; November 29, 1967: Traded by the Baltimore Orioles with John Matias and Russ Snyder to the Chicago White Sox for Don Buford, Bruce Howard, and Roger Nelson; December 1, 1970: Traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Boston Red Sox for Mike Andrews and Luis Alvarado; March 26, 1974: Released by the Boston Red Sox.
All-Star Selections
1958 AL
1959 AL
1960 AL
1961 AL
1962 AL
1963 AL
1964 AL
1970 AL
1971 AL
1972 AL
Replaced
Chico Carrasquel was the White Sox shortstop from 1950 to 1955, and then Aparicio emerged. Also from Venezuala, Carrasquel was a comparable defensive player, perhaps even better than Aparicio, but he lacked his speed. His career batting average was about the same.
Replaced By
In 1974, the Red Sox used Mario Guerrero and Rick Burleson at shortstop. Eventually, Burleson won the job.
Best Strength as a Player
Speed, which he utilized out of the batters box, on the base paths, and in the field.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Pitch selection. Had Aparicio worked to draw more walks, it could have made him an even more valuable offensive weapon. He drew as many as 50 free passes just four times in his 18-year career.
Learn More about Luis Aparicio
Search Amazon.com for Books about Luis Aparicio ⇒
Search for Luis Aparicio at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
