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Mario Mendoza

Positions: Shortstop and Third Baseman
Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right
5-11, 170lb (180cm, 77kg)
Born: December 26, 1950  in Chihuahua, Mexico
Debut: April 26, 1974 (13,490th in major league history)
vs. HOU 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game: May 22, 1982
vs. KCR 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Full Name: Mario Mendoza
Nicknames: Manos de Seda
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen

Notable Events and Chronology

SearchSearch Events, Dates and More Date (Newest)Title (A - Z)

December 12, 1980

In a ten player deal the Mariners receive Richie Zish and the Rangers receive Rick Honeycutt

May 22, 1982

In his last major league at-bat, Mario Mendoza, who will become a minor league hitting instructor, reaches first on a fielder’s choice, ending his nine-year career with a .215 batting average. The Ranger infielder’s name will become infamous, as players struggling at the plate will become known as performing below the ‘Mendoza Line.’

Mario Mendoza, shortstop for the Pirates from 1974 to 1978. Mendoza was signed as an amateur free agent in 1970 and slowly worked his way through the minors, earning promotions based more on his defense than his hitting. He is still often referenced to this day due to his poor hitting skills, when someone who has a batting average hovering near .200 is said to be near the Mendoza line. He hit below .200 in three of his five seasons in Pittsburgh and five times overall in his nine-year career. With the Pirates his best season was actually his rookie year when he hit .221 in 91 games. In was the only time in his five seasons in Pittsburgh he batted over 100 times. He played 324 total games with the Pirates, coming to the plate just 478 times, which resulted in a .204 average. He was traded to the Mariners in December of 1978.

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