Joe Azcue

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Joe Azcue
Catcher
Born: August 18, 1939 (1939-08-18) (age 68)
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 3, 1960
for the Cincinnati Reds
Final game
September 29, 1972
for the Milwaukee Brewers
Career statistics
Batting average     .252
Hits     712
RBI     304
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • All-Star in 1968

José Joaquín Azcue López (born August 18, 1939 in Cienfuegos, Cuba) is a former catcher in Major League Baseball. Nicknamed "The Immortal Azcue", he debuted in 1960 with the Cincinnati Reds. Over the course of his career, he also played for the Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, California Angels and Milwaukee Brewers. In 1968, he was selected to the American League All-Star team.

Azcue began his career when he was signed by the Cincinnati Redlegs as an amateur free agent in 1956.[1] He spent the following few years rising up the minor league ranks. He was part of the Cienfuegos Elephants of the Cuban League, and was part of their championship team, winning both the Cuban League title and the Caribbean Series during the 1959-1960 season.[2] He later made his major league debut during the 1960 Cincinnati Reds season. He made his debut on August 3 against the Chicago Cubs, getting a hit in three at-bats.[1] However, he finished the season with a batting average of only .097, and was sent back to the minor leagues at the end of the season.[1] He played in the Cuban League for Cienfuegos again during the offseason, and on December 20, 1960, he was purchased by the Milwaukee Braves.[1]

Azcue hit into the first ever unassisted triple play on July 29, 1968, turned by Ron Hansen of Washington. He caught two no hitters in his career (Sonny Siebert, Clyde Wright).

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Joe Azcue Statistics. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-21.
  2. ^ Eberenz, Leo J.. "Cuba Caribbean Kings for Fifth Year in Row", The Sporting News, 1960-02-24, p. 24. 

[edit] External links


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