Zoilo Versalles
Quite possibly the most unlikely player to have ever won a Most Valuable Player Award, little Zoilo Versalles had a career year in 1965, helping the Minnesota Twins to their first pennant. Playing shortstop, "Zorro" was a fan favorite from Cuba, originally signed by the Washington Senators. With a flare for making diving plays and unorthodox throws, he won two Gold Glove Awards. In the 1965 World Series he socked a three-run homer to win Game One.
Played For
Washington Senators (1959-1960)
Minnesota Twins (1961-1967)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1968)
Cleveland Indians (1969)
Washington Senators (1969)
Atlanta Braves (1971)
Best Season: 1965
Versalles led the AL with 666 at-bats, 126 runs scored, 308 total bases, 45 doubles, 12 triples, and 76 extra-base hits. A little leadoff hitter, Versalles was capable of pulling the ball down the short left field line in Minnesota, and he hit 19 homers in '65.
Factoids
Four times in his career, Zoilo Versalles collected the only hit in a one-hitter.
On July 3, 1963, Minnesota shortstop Zoilo Versalles tied an American League record when he committed five errors in a doubleheader.
Born
Zoilo Casanova (Rodriguez) Versalles was born on December 18, 1939, in Veldado
Died
June 9, 1995, Bloomington, MN
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: SS
Primary Team: MIN
Major League Debut
August 1, 1959
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1959
Willie McCovey
Billy Williams
Maury Wills
Tommy Davis
Jim Kaat
Tim McCarver
Jim Perry
Mike Cuellar
Zoilo Versalles
Nicknames
Zorro, The Cuban Comet
Similar Players
Eddie Miller, Johnny Logan, Spike Owen, Rafael Furcal
Post-Season Appearances
1965 World Series
Awards and Honors
1963 AL Gold Glove
1965 AL Gold Glove
1965 AL MVP
Notes
On September 10, 1962, Versalles singled in the eighth inning to spoil Dean Chance's no-hit bid. Chance went on to pitch a one-hitter... On September 2, 1964, he did the same thing to Milt Pappas in the eighth inning... Four days later, on September 6, 1964, Versalles slugged a two-run homer off Boston's Bill Monbouquette for a 2-1 victory. It's the only hit of the game for Minnesota... On May 28, 1968, Zoilo'z fifth-inning single was the only safety off Jim Maloney of the Reds.
All-Star Selections
1963 AL
1965 AL
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