Bobby Avila
The 1954 American League batting champion, Bobby Avila was the first star to come out of Mexican League directly to the majors. He played second base for the Indians for a decade, bounced around to a few teams briefly, and returned south of the border to pursue a political career. He served for several years as president of the Mexican League.
Quotes About Avila
"He has that extra something that makes a great hitter. Call it the competitive instinct.... He's always fighting the pitcher, never choking up, and never giving an inch.... In a tough spot, I'm always glad to see Bobby coming to the plate." — Cleveland general manager Hank Greenberg
Quotes From Avila
"If I ever did hit .400, they'd make me president of Mexico." — responding to a comment from Dizzy Dean, who said Avila could be the next .400 hitter
Played For
Cleveland Indians (1949-1958)
Baltimore Orioles (1959)
Boston Red Sox (1959)
Milwaukee Braves (1959)
All-Time Rankings
Bobby Avila ranks #28 among the Top 50 all-time at 2B. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1954
In none of his other seasons did Avila ever hit near the .341 he put up in '54. A superior contact hitter, he struck out just 31 times and posted an on-base percentage above .400. He credited his success to a hard off-season in the Mexican Winter League.
"It used to be I would go down there and take it easy playing 20 games or so," Avila said. "It would be like a vacation for me. Then I would go to spring training and find it hard to break the habit of taking it easy. But last winter, I worked hard, played 45 games, and just kept swining when I got to camp."
Factoids
Star second baseman Bobby Avila, the 1954 AL Batting Champion, played professional soccer in his native Mexico, signing his first contract at the age of 14.
In 1954, amidst his batting title season, the city of Avila, California, named Bobby Avila their honorary mayor.
Description
Avila was the prototypical size for a second baseman - 5'10" and around 170 pounds. He had perfect timing around the bag, where he displayed the footwork that made him a soccer star in Mexico. He was good going to his left or right. His few weaknesses in the field were going back on popups, and the strength of his arm.
Born
Roberto Francisco (Gonzales) Avila was born on April 2, 1924, in Veracruz
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 2B
Primary Team: CLE
Major League Debut
April 30, 1949 ... After establishing himself as a star in the Mexican League in the late 1940s, Avila signed with Bill Veeck's Indians for $17,500. A few different circumstances however, and he would have been a Brooklyn Dodger. Leo Durocher saw him perform in the winter leagues and wanted to snare Avila, but just after offering $10,000 for him, Leo was suspended for a year due to gambling ties. While Durocher was gone, the Dodgers rescinded their offer to Avila, and he remained in Mexico. Veeck swooped in the following year to get Bobby's signature on a contract.
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1949
Monte Irvin
Minnie Minoso
Roy Sievers
Smoky Burgess
Del Crandall
Bobby Avila
Walt Dropo
Don Newcombe
Morrie Martin
Similar Players
None
Post-Season Appearances
1954 World Series
Post-Season Notes
Avila was stymied by Giants' pitching in the 1954 World Series (2-for-15). Neither he, Larry Doby, or Al Rosen drove in a run in the Series.
Batting Feats
Notes
Avila was known as a frequent movie-goer in his days in the big leagues. He would eat his dinner, have a customary after-dinner cigar, and then trot off to the cinema to watch the latest flick.
Home Run Facts
In 1954, Avila hit 15 homers, but almost every one of them came in clutch situations. 13 of his homers either tied the score or won the game for the Indians. On September 17, he belted a grand slam against the Tigers in Detroit which won the game and guaranteed the Indians of at least a tie for the AL flag.
Matchup Data
Avila's toughest opponent was lefty Eddie Lopat, who frustrated Bobby with his strange deliveries and slow, looping breaking stuff.
All-Star Selections
1952 AL
1954 AL
1955 AL
Replaced
Joe Gordon
Replaced By
Aging Billy Martin, in 1959, as the Tribe's second baseman.
Best Strength as a Player
Footwork, and bunting. Avila had been a professional football (soccer) player as a teenager. He was known for kicking the ball out of fielder's gloves when attempting to steal bases. He was one of the 2-3 best bunters in the AL during his prime, and his daring on the basepaths was legendary.
Largest Weakness as a Player
By his own admission, Avila was a fast-ball hitter, and he had trouble with breaking balls.
Learn More about Bobby Avila
Search Amazon.com for Books about Bobby Avila ⇒
Search for Bobby Avila at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
