Ranking the Catchers With a commanding presence behind the plate and a rocket arm, Johnny Bench was the best defensive catcher in history. But that wasn’t all. The powerful right-handed slugger won a pair of Most Valuable Player awards and led the Reds to six division titles, four pennants, and two championships. He hit…
test Gene Tenace Positions: Catcher and First BasemanBats: Right • Throws: Right6-0, 190lb (183cm, 86kg)Born: October 10, 1946 in Russellton, PADraft: Drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in the 20th round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft from Valley HS (Lucasville, OH).High School: Valley HS (Lucasville, OH)Debut: May 29, 1969 (Age 22-231d, 10,447th in MLB history)vs. DET 4 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SBLast Game: September 30, 1983 (Age 36-355d)vs. PHI 1…
1980 – The Cardinals and Padres complete the first major trade at the annual winter meetings in Dallas, TX. Reliever Rollie Fingers, who won 11 games and saved 23 for San Diego in 1980, and 24-year-old catcher Terry Kennedy, who hit .254 for St. Louis, are the keys in the 11-player swap.
On March 16, 1978, high-priced free agent Andy Messersmith separates his shoulder in an exhibition game for the New York Yankees. A 20-game winner both for the Angels and Dodgers, Messersmith will never win a game for the Yankees. He will pitch one more season in 1979 before retiring. Messersmith will however leave an impact…
San Diego Padres sign veteran free agents Rollie Fingers and Gene Tenace
1976 – The first mass-market free agent re-entry draft is held at the New York Plaza Hotel. Among those available are Reggie Jackson, Willie McCovey, Joe Rudi, Don Gullett, Gene Tenace, Nate Colbert, Rollie Fingers, Don Baylor and Bobby Grich. McCovey and Colbert are the only two players not selected, but McCovey will catch on with the Giants in spring training and have a banner year at his old first base position.
Major League Season Recap 1972 World Series – Oakland A’s AL over Cincinnati Reds NL 4 games to 3 World Series MVP – Gene Tenace Babe Ruth Award – Gene Tenace ALCS Oakland A’s over Detroit Tigers 3 games to 2 ALCS MVP – NLCS Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh Pirates 3 games to 2 NLCS MVP – Awards – Cy…
Oakland A’s defeat the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2, to win their first World Series in Oakland On October 22, 1972, at Riverfront Stadium The transplanted Oakland A’s, capturing their first championship in 42 years, become the first Bay Area team to win a world title when they defeat the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2, to win their first…
1972 – In Game 5 of the World Series, Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds hits a home run on the first pitch of the game off Catfish Hunter as Cincinnati beats the Oakland Athletics, 5 – 4.
Johnny Bench, with runners on second and third base in Game 3 of the World Series, strikes out looking with a full count when a trick play dupes him. The Cincinnati slugger, believing he being given an intentional walk after the A’s manager visits the mound and catcher Gene Tenace returns to his position to call for a wide ball 4, is fooled when the A’s backstop quickly crouches behind home to catch a called strike three from Rollie Fingers.
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