Willie Montañez

Positions: First Baseman and Centerfielder
Bats: Left  •  Throws: Left
6-0, 170lb (183cm, 77kg)
Born: April 1, 1948  in Catano, Puerto Rico pr
Debut: April 12, 1966 (12,443rd in major league history)
vs. CHW 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 SB
Last Game: October 2, 1982
vs. NYM 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Full Name: Guillermo Montañez
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject

Nine Players Who Debuted in 1966

George Scott
Sal Bando
Reggie Smith
Rick Monday
Nolan Ryan
Don Sutton
Bob Watson
Nate Colbert
Stan Bahnsen

All-Time Teammate Team

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Notable Events and Chronology 

Sort bySearch Days, Events, Players Title (A - Z)Date (Newest)

October 7, 1969

The Cardinals trade Curt Flood in 7 player deal and Flood refuses to report to Philadelphia starting a dramatic change to the game

November 24, 1971

Earl Williams wins the National League Rookie of the Year honors

July 27, 1972

Marking the debut of manager Whitey Lockman, Fergie Jenkins allows one hit in the Cubs’ 4 – 0 win over the Phillies

June 13, 1976

The Mets sweep the Giants in a twin bill at Candlestick Park, The Gaints pick up Darrell Evans in a trade

July 13, 1977

Shea Stadium MLB game suspended due to a major black-out

December 8, 1977

New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Atlanta Braves complete an unusual four-team trade

February 15, 1980

San Diego Padres trade future Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry

August 26, 1980

San Diego Padres set a major league record by issuing six intentional walks against the New York Mets

Willie Montanez

Signed as a first baseman by St. Louis in 1965, lefthanded Willie Montanez was lost to the Angels in that November’s draft, but was returned to the Cardinals in mid-1966. On April 8, 1970, he was sent to the Phillies with pitcher Bob Browning as compensation for Curt Flood’s failure to report the previous October. Used in centerfield in lieu of Flood, Montanez hit a career-high 30 homers and drove in 99 runs as a rookie in 1971. He led the NL with 39 doubles and 22 outfield assists the following year. Returning to first base, he became the flashiest fielder at that position since fellow Puerto Rican Vic Power; famous for his snap catches, Montanez was widely considered a hot dog. He led NL first basemen in assists with the Phillies and Giants in 1975; with the Giants and Braves in 1976; and with the Mets in 1978. His wide-ranging, aggressive play also led to a league-leading 22 errors in 1976. He batted more than .300 each year from 1974 to 1976, but hit .287 in his All-Star 1977 season with Atlanta. He was traded nine times; twice the deals involved John Milner.

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Factoids, Quotes, Milestones and Odd Facts

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