Tony Eusebio

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Tony Eusebio
Catcher
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 8, 1991 for the Houston Astros
Final game
October 7, 2001 for the Houston Astros
Career statistics
Batting average     .275
Hits     479
Home Runs     30
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Raul Antonio Bare Eusebio (born April 27, 1967 in San Jose de los Llanos, Dominican Republic) is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Houston Astros.

In 2000, Eusebio set a Houston Astros franchise record for consecutive games with a hit with 24, although the mark has since been surpassed by Jeff Kent and Willy Taveras. Because Eusebio was a catcher and did not play in every game, his 24-game hitting streak came over a span of 51 days, the longest time ever for a 24-game single season streak.[1] The streak tied for longest in the National League in 2000.

Eusebio was also reputed to be the slowest player in baseball history. He accumulated only 5 triples in his entire 10 year major league career, along with being thrown out at first base from Right Field numerous times. Still, this is not surprising when you consider his incredible girth.

Contents

[edit] Career

[edit] Minor Leagues (1985-1991)

Tony Eusebio signed with the Astros on May 30, 1985 as an undrafted free agent. He started his professional career at age 18 with the Gulf Coast League Astros that same year, although he only played in one game and had one at bat. After a year break, Eusebio rejoined the Rookie League team in 1987 and steadily rose through the Astros' minor league ranks playing at the High-A Osceola Astros in 1988 and 1989, the AA Columbus Mudcats in 1989 and 1990, the AA Jackson Generals in 1991, and the AAA Tucson Toros in 1991.

[edit] First taste of the Majors (1991)

On August 4, 1991 Eusebio was called up from the Jackson Generals when Astros catcher Scott Servais was placed on the 15-day disabled list after sustatining a broken bone in his right hand.[2] Five days later, Eusebio would make his Major League debut, starting a game on August 9, 1991 against the San Diego Padres.[3] Eusebio would go on to appear in 10 games for the Astros, hitting .105 in 19 at-bats.

[edit] Back to the minors (1992-1993)

Eusebio spent the 1992 season at the AA Jackson Generals, appearing in 94 games and hitting .307. In 1993, he played at the AAA Tucson Toros, appearing in 78 games and hitting .324. While at Tucson, Eusebio compiled a 24-game hitting streak before being placed on the disabled list.[4] He would go on to set a Tucson Toros record by extending this hitting streak to 30 games during a rehab stint in 1996.[5]

[edit] In the majors for good (1994-2001)

After hitting .625 during spring training in 1994, Eusebio made the Major League squad.[6] During the strike shortened season Eusebio hit .296 with 30 RBIs in just 55 games. His play was such that he won the starting catcher's job over previous starter Scott Servais,[7] and garnered consideration in the National League Rookie of the Year race.[8]

In 1995, Eusebio appeared in a career high 113 games for the Astros hitting an all-time best .299 and posting over 100 hits for the only time in his career. For much of the year Eusebio led the Astros in batting average, although his production tailed off in September. Entering the 1996 season, newly acquired catcher Rick Wilkins was expected to get most of the work behind the plate with Eusebio reserved to facing left-handed opposing pitchers.[9]Compounding his diminished role, Eusebio suffered a left-wrist sprain in spring training and later spent over a month on the disabled-list due to a cyst that was surgically removed from this the same wrist. Less than a week after returning to the lineup, Eusebio suffered a broken bone in his left hand and missed another month and a half.[10] Because of his multiple injuries, Eusebio appeared in only 58 games hitting .270.

Before the 1997 season, the Astros traded for catcher Brad Ausmus. After manager Larry Dierker made known his intentions to have Ausmus start a vast majority of games, Eusebio requested to be traded from the team.[11] Dierker would later agree to give Eusebio more playing time, although the manager made it clear he wished Eusebio would improve his defensive skills.[11] However, as the season wore on, Eusebio would gradually see less playing time due to a nagging knee injury. His playing time would later be reduced to only catching when Darryl Kile pitched, and the injury would force him to have arthroscopic surgery during the offseason.[12]

The 1998 season began with Eusebio in the same backup catcher role he occupied in 1997. After successfully recovering from offseason surgery, Eusebio made a noticeable offensive difference in the games he started.[13] After the season, the Astros traded away Brad Ausmus leaving a void at the starting catcher position. Expressing his confidence in Eusebio, Astros General Manager Gerry Hunsicker stated, "I can't make the Ausmus trade if we don't have Tony.".[14] Eusebio would split playing time with catcher Paul Bako during the 1999 season, ultimately hitting .272 and appearing in 103 games. Eusebio would also hit a home run in the last game played at the Astrodome, a 7-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves in the 1999 National League Division Series.

After the 1999 season, Eusebio became a free agent for the first time. In November of that year, he signed a 2-year $2.4 million contract with the Astros.[15]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Joseph, Duarte. "Astros summary", Houston Chronicle, 2000-08-30.
  2. ^ Hohlfeld, Neil. "Astros summary", Houston Chronicle, 1991-08-04.
  3. ^ Custred, Jayne. "Padres gain series split, winning 5-3", Houston Chronicle, 1991-08-09.
  4. ^ Murphy, Michael. "Mouton swinging hot bat in Tucson", Houston Chronicle, 1993-08-30.
  5. ^ Thompson, Carlton. "Astros Summary", Houston Chronicle, 1996-06-18.
  6. ^ Hohlfeld, Neil. "Eusebio, Hampton on roster", Houston Chronicle, 1994-03-31.
  7. ^ Hohlfeld, Neil. "Blockbuster trade breaks up the Astros", Houston Chronicle, 1994-12-29.
  8. ^ Hohlfeld, Neil. "Strike also cut short several Astros' chances at winning postseason awards", Houston Chronicle, 1994-10-16.
  9. ^ Truex, Alan. "Astros' position-by-position breakdown", Houston Chronicle, 1996-02-15.
  10. ^ Hohlfeld, Neil. "Eusebio's return could boost offense", Houston Chronicle, 1996-08-08.
  11. ^ a b Truex, Alan. "Astros' Eusebio can hit, but he's not catching on", Houston Chronicle, 1997-02-09.
  12. ^ Thompson, Carlton. "Eusebio to have surgery on right knee", Houston Chronicle, 1997-10-05.
  13. ^ Hohlfeld, Neil. "Eusebio producing as backup backstop", Houston Chronicle, 1998-05-27.
  14. ^ Blinebury, Fran. "Eusebio provides catching safety net", Houston Chronicle, 1999-02-26.
  15. ^ Thompson, Carlton. "Eusebio agrees to two-year deal", Houston Chronicle, 1999-11-27.

[edit] External links

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