Bert Campaneris
Bert Campaneris was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. for one reason: to be a ballplayer. He was a quick, pesky little player with a fiery temper, and he lasted 19 years in the big leagues. He was a daredevil on the base paths and a key member of the 1972-1974 World Champion Oakland A's. He retired with more than 2,200 hits and 600 stolen bases.
Played For
Kansas City Athletics (1964-1967)
Oakland Athletics (1968-1976)
Texas Rangers (1977-1979)
California Angels (1979-1981)
New York Yankees (1983)
All-Time Rankings
Bert Campaneris ranks #34 among the Top 50 all-time at SS. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1970
There must have been something in the water (or his bat). Campy blasted 22 homers, which was 14 more than he would ever hit in a single season. He led the AL in steals for the fifth time, with 42. He scored 97 runs and was 10th in MVP tallying.
Factoids
In 1965, Bert Campaneris broke Luis Aparicio's nine-year streak of leading the American League in stolen bases.
From 1965 to 1972, Bert Campaneris stole 410 bases, leading the AL six times in that eight-year span. The next highest total of stolen bases during that time was 187, by Don Buford.
The Bat Throwing Incident
In Game Two of the 1972 ALCS against the Tigers, Campy was a demon. He banged out three hits, had two steals and two runs scored. Late in the contest he faced Detroit hurler Lerrin LaGrow. When LaGrow's pitch hit Campaneris in the ankle, Bert flung his bat at the hurler. A near-riot ensued as Detroit manager Billy Martin charged Campaneris. The batter and pitcher were both ejected. Bert was suspended for the remainder of the playoffs but reinstated for the World Series win over the Reds.
Old Man and Billy Ball
After three seasons with the Angels, Campaneris retired after the 1981 season at the age of 39. It was an involuntary retirement. He spent 1982 in the Mexican League and was back in the Majors in 1982 with the A's. Billy Martin used Campy as a pinch-hitter and utility infielder (and as a pinch-runner at the age of 41). The veteran responded by hitting .322 in 60 games. He retired in the off-season.
Born
Dagoberto (Blanco) Campaneris was born on March 9, 1942, in Pueblo Nuevo
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: SS
Primary Team: KC1
Major League Debut
July 23, 1964 ... In his first major league game, Campaneris blasted two homers (that's 2.5% of his career total!). He hit the first pitch he saw in the big leagues for a home run, off Minnesota's Jim Kaat.
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1964
Tony Perez
Bert Campaneris
Don Kessinger
Paul Blair
Lou Piniella
Phil Niekro
Luis Tiant
Mel Stottlemyre
Mickey Stanley
Nicknames
Campy
Similar Players
Luis Aparicio
Related Players
Luis Aparicio, Lerrin LaGrow
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1989 |
BBWAA |
14 |
3.1% |
|
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
1979 American League Championship Series
Post-Season Notes
Campaneris had good reason to throw that bat at Detroit's Lerrin LaGrow in the 1972 playoffs. He had a hard time getting on base in the Fall. In 37 post-season games he had a .273 OBP.
Feats
On September, 9, 1965, Campaneris played all nine defensive positions.
Batting Feats
- July 23, 1964: 2 HR in ML Debut...
Hitting Streaks
17 games (1972)
15 games (1971)
All-Star Selections
1968 AL
1972 AL
1973 AL
1974 AL
1975 AL
1977 AL
Learn More about Bert Campaneris
Search Amazon.com for Books about Bert Campaneris ⇒
Search for Bert Campaneris at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
