Leo Cardenas
Played For
Cincinnati Reds (1960-1968)
Minnesota Twins (1969-1971)
California Angels (1972)
Cleveland Indians (1973)
Texas Rangers (1974-1975)
"You Don't Tell Me Where to Play!"
Late in 1967, Cardenas and Johnny Bench had a run-in. Bench was just a few days removed from his first big league game, but had a presence about him already. Coming out from behind the plate, the muscular young catcher shouted defensive instructions to shortstop Cardenas. Leo didn't care for the 19-year old telling him where to play and told him in so many words in spanish. "What the hell you trying to do, rookie?! You trying to tell me where to play? I been in big leagues for seven years, you don't tell me where to play." Bench recalled in his biography, Catch You Later: "…it was part of something I had to do the minute I stepped into the pros. I had always believed I could handle any situation on a ball field."
Born
Leonardo Lazaro (Alfonso) Cardenas was born on December 17, 1938, in Matanzas
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: SS
Primary Team: CIN
Major League Debut
July 25, 1960
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1960
Willie Davis
Ron Santo
Joe Torre
Leo Cardenas
Deron Johnson
Dick McAuliffe
Matty Alou
Phil Regan
Ray Sadecki
Nicknames
Chico,Mr. Automatic
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1981 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.2% |
1982 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.2% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1961 World Series
1969 American League Championship Series
1970 American League Championship Series
Awards and Honors
1965 NL Gold Glove
Hitting Streaks
15 games (1972)
15 games (1970)
All-Star Selections
1964 NL
1965 NL
1966 NL
1968 NL
1971 AL
Best Strength as a Player
Johnny Bench described Cardenas as "a lanky, skinny Cuban blessed…with quick hands and those marvelous fluid motions in the field, and near blindness at the bat."
Largest Weakness as a Player
See latter part of the Becnh quote from his strengths.
Learn More about Leo Cardenas
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