#313-314 Luis Aparicio-In Action

Fiery competitor, an All star 10 times over....Made the squad 7 consecutive years, then 3 consecutive years later on....Synonymous with the position of Shortstop....took to the field in 2581 contests over 18 years, never deviating position.... an OK .262 BA lowered by the occasional off season....Value lay in stolen bases and glove; 9 time award winner and 9 consecutive times top AL base thief.... HOF material and he was inducted circa 1984....Illustrious career began with Go-go White Sox beginning 1954....moved over to the Orioles....Return trip to Chicago....hit a career best .313 1970 when the Sox were at their worst...acquisition by Red Sox was the team's answer to deficit at 3rd base....Rico Petrocelli shifted to over to the right as Luis took his spot... Results were a mixed bag...speed had diminished....Batting ranged .233 in 1971 to a .273 to 1973...Released spring training 1974....vetoed an offer from George Steinbrenner to take over Yankee’s SS spot....Diminutive but incredibly durable averaging 144 games a season in addition to playing 19 consecutive years of winter ball in native Venezuela...Rookie of the year 1956.