Tony Taylor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This page is on the Major League Baseball player. For the former Scottish footballer and Canadian soccer coach see Tony Taylor (footballer). For the person of the same name convicted of federal charges with NFL quarterback Michael Vick in the dog fighting ring in Virginia, see Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation
| Tony Taylor | ||
|---|---|---|
| Infielder | ||
| Born: December 19, 1935 | ||
| Batted: Right | Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | ||
| April 15, 1958 for the Chicago Cubs |
||
| Final game | ||
| September 29, 1976 for the Philadelphia Phillies |
||
| Career statistics | ||
| AVG | .261 | |
| Hits | 2007 | |
| RBI | 598 | |
| Teams | ||
| Career highlights and awards | ||
|
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Antonio Nemesio (Sanchez) Taylor (born December 19, 1935 in Central Alava, Cuba) is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. From 1958 through 1976, Taylor played for the Chicago Cubs (1958-60), Philadelphia Phillies (1960-71 and 1974-76) and Detroit Tigers (1971-73). He batted and threw right-handed.
In a 19-season career, Taylor posted a .261 batting average with 75 home runs and 598 RBI in 2195 games.
Taylor started as a third baseman in the Giants organization, but came to the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 1958 where he was their starting third baseman in 1958 and 1959. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies early in the 1960 season. Despite the fact Philadelphia was a mediocre team, Taylor established himself and was named to the National League All-Star team that year.
A solid and dependable performer, Taylor holds the record having played in 1,003 games for the Phillies at second base, and his six steals of home, ranks him second on the Phillies' all-time list.
In 1963, Taylor hit .281 and collected career-highs in runs (102) and hits (182), and the next season, he made the defensive play that saved Jim Bunning’s perfect game. In 1970, he hit a career-high .301 average with 26 doubles, nine triples and nine homers.
Dealt to the Detroit Tigers in the 1971 midseason, Taylor helped them to a division title a year later. A free agent before the 1974 season, he signed again with the Phillies and became a valuable utility man and pinch hitter for his final three major league seasons.
Following his retirement as a player, Taylor coached for the Phillies and Marlins. One of the most popular Phillies ever, he was inducted into the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame in 2002.
[edit] See also
- 1972 American League Championship Series
- List of major league players with 2,000 hits
- List of players from Cuba in Major League Baseball
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
