#267 Dave Concepcion

Not a star....yet….it almost did not look so at the time….skinny as a rail…was able to latch on the 1970 edition of the Big Red…OK season in a shortstop by committee situation…started to get more playing time in the next years but BA suffered mightily, just over .200…future uncertain for the light hitting Venezuelan …for no particular reason started hitting the ball in 1973…despite a midseason injury was efficient at the plate hit .286 and doubled production…showed the baseball world he was back with arguably his best season….stole 40 bases and garnered more power with 14 home runs in 1974…surprising given Dave hit a single home run in over 800 minor league at bats…for the next 11 seasons Concepcion plays and stays in Reds infield….last Red Machine Cog standing after teammates left….collects gold gloves and  all star 9 out of 10 years…assumed role of team captain….becomes a role player in 1986 but astounds by using 104 to collect a BA of .319 in 1987 ….released after 1988 season but established as one of the best in position….like his idol Luis Aparcio played winter ball in Venezuela…served as an Aragua Tiger.