Sal Bando
At the age of 25, third baseman Sal Bando appeared on track for a Hall of Fame career, but like some of his teammates on the Oakland A's, he petered out in his 30s. Despite that, he was a very good player who drew walks, had good power and fielded well at the hot corner. He was considered by many experts and teammates to be the glue that held the 1970s "Swinging A's" together.
Played For
Kansas City Athletics (1966-1967)
Oakland Athletics (1968-1976)
Milwaukee Brewers (1977-1981)
All-Time Rankings
Sal Bando ranks #21 among the Top 50 all-time at 3B. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1971
Bando was the best position player in the league, according to MVP voters who placed him second to teammate Vida Blue. Bando hit .271 with 24 homers and 94 RBI, which doesn't sound too great today, but in that league it was very good.
Most RBI, American League (1968-1977)
Reggie Jackson ... 928
Sal Bando ... 871
Carl Yastrzemski ... 863
George Scott ... 776
Boog Powell ... 711
Most Home Runs, American League (1968-1977
Reggie Jackson ... 312
Carl Yastrzemski ... 227
Graig Nettles ... 217
Sal Bando ... 209
George Scott ... 207
Willie Horton ... 200
Born
Salvatore Leonard Bando was born on February 13, 1944, in Cleveland, OH.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 3B
Primary Team: ML4
Major League Debut
September 3, 1966
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1966
George Scott
Sal Bando
Reggie Smith
Rick Monday
Nolan Ryan
Don Sutton
Bob Watson
Nate Colbert
Stan Bahnsen
Similar Players
Willie "Pudd'n Head" Jones
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1987 |
BBWAA |
3 |
.7% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1971 American League Championship Series
1972 American League Championship Series
1972 World Series
1973 American League Championship Series
1973 World Series
1974 American League Championship Series
1974 World Series
1975 American League Championship Series
1981 American League Division Playoffs
Post-Season Notes
In the 1973 World Series, A's owner Charlie Finley lost his mind. After his second baseman Mike Andrews made two errors against the Mets, Finely tried to release the infielder. The commissioner stepped in and stopped him and in response to the attack on hits teammate, Bando wore a black arm band to show his solidarity. The rest of the A's followed his lead.
Notes
Bando finished second in 1971 AL MVP voting, behind teammate Vida Blue... In 1978 and 1979, in a poll of major league managers by The Sporting News , Sal Bando was selected as the best managerial candidate.
All-Star Selections
1969 AL
1972 AL
1973 AL
1974 AL
Replaced
Dick Green had been at third for the A's in 1967, and prior to that it had been Ed Charles.
Replaced By
With the Brewers, Bando was replaced at third base by Don Money.
Best Strength as a Player
Ability to get on base.
Largest Weakness as a Player
No real glaring weaknesses. He wasn't a great third baseman, but he was solid, and he wasn't fast, but he was a strong baserunner. He was a player who got everything out of his strengths and worked his ass off to improve his weaknesses so they were at least average.
Learn More about Sal Bando
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