Dámaso Blanco

Dámaso Blanco Caripe (born November 12, 1941 in Curiepe, Miranda State, Venezuela) is a former Major League Baseball third baseman/shortstop and right-handed batter who played for the San Francisco Giants (1972–74).

Blanco was the classic example of the fine fielder with a light bat. He was a decent hitter in the minors, where his batting and on-base averages were both quite respectable. He was 7-for-20 (.350) in 1972 (his first two hits coming in the same game, against Tom Phoebus of the Chicago Cubs on June 11), but was 0-for-13 in limited opportunities the next two seasons.

In parts of three seasons as a backup with the Giants, Blanco hit .212 (7-for-33) with two runs batted in, nine runs, one double and 3 stolen bases in 72 games. In the field he handled 46 of 48 total chances successfully (.958) and participated in 3 double plays.

He resumed his career in the Venezuelan Winter League, hitting .272 (704-for-2623) with 198 RBI, 289 runs, 72 doubles, 28 triples, and 70 steals in 754 games (1960–77).

After retiring at age 36, Blanco scouted briefly for the Cincinnati Reds before beginning a successful career as a journalist and baseball broadcaster in his native Venezuela.

See also

• List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• Retrosheet for Dámaso Blanco