Luis Aparicio

Luis Aparicio (born April 29, 1934 in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela) is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. From 1956 through 1973, Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox (1956-62, 1968-70), Baltimore Orioles (1963-67) and Boston Red Sox (1971-73). He batted and threw right handed. '

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April 29 - 1934 - Maracaibo, Zulia State - Venezuela - Shortstop - Major League Baseball - Baseball Hall of Fame - 1956 - 1973 - Chicago White Sox - Baltimore Orioles - Boston Red Sox

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Aparicio came from a baseball family. His father, Luis Sr. was a notable shortstop in Venezuela and owned a Winter League team with Aparicio's uncle, Ernesto.

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Aparicio was heavily scouted by the Cleveland Indians, but Chicago White Sox GM Frank Lane, on the recommendation of fellow Venezuelan shortstop Chico Carrasquel, signed Aparicio for $5,000 down and $5,000 in first year salary. He played well in the minors and then led the American League in stolen bases in his debut year of 1956, winning both the MLB Rookie of the Year and The Sporting News Rookie of the Year awards.

Related Topics:
Cleveland Indians - GM - Frank Lane - Venezuela - Chico Carrasquel - American League - 1956 - ''MLB'' Rookie of the Year - ''The Sporting News'' Rookie of the Year

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Over the next decade, Aparicio set the standard for the spray-hitting, slick-fielding, speedy shortstop. He led the AL in stolen bases in niine consecutive seasons (1956-64) and won the Gold Glove Award nine times (1958-62, 1964, 1966, 1970). He was also a ten-time All-Star (1958-64, 1970-72) and a key player on the 1959 "Go-Go" White Sox that won the American League pennant that year. The White Sox were generally successful during his tenure, but when he showed up overweight and had an off year in 1962, the White Sox dealt him to the Baltimore Orioles the following season.

Related Topics:
Gold Glove Award - All-Star - 1959 - American League - 1962

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Aparicio regained his form in Baltimore and was ninth in the MVP balloting in 1966 when he helped the Orioles reach the World Series, which they won. He returned to the White Sox for the 1968 season and had his best overall offensive season in 1970, hitting .312 and scoring 86 runs. He put in three more seasons with the Boston Red Sox before retiring for good.

Related Topics:
MVP - 1966 - World Series - 1968 - 1970 - Runs

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At his retirement, Aparicio was the all-time leader for most games played, assists and double plays by a MLB shortstop and the all-time leader for putouts and total chances by an AL baseball shortstop. Through the 2005 season, Aparicio holds the major league record of 2581 games played in the position. Amazingly, he never played in another position than shortstop.

Related Topics:
Games played - Assist - Double play - Putout - Total chances - 2005

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Luis Aparicio was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.

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