#60 Manny Sanguillen

If not for a backstop named Bench, would have the apex of the catching position of the 70's.....played a different game than Bench....hitting for average which he did excelled not for power.....free swinger, never took a pitch be didn’t like...somewhere there may be rare footage of Manny getting a walk.....brought in other assets, strong defensively, a robust arm, great work ethic, positive energy, and speed, unusual for the position......A Panamanian, early liability was his language barrier with the English, but in time adapted and overcame....earned praise as a non-verbal communicator....infectious smile.....a brief tryout in 1967 showed promise but showed a need for seasoning....returning in 1969 wrestled starting spot from Jerry May finishing with a .303 BA....Onward and upwards, Manny improves each of the next two consecutive years with +.300 average....arguably the best NL catcher in 1971, edging Bench who had an off year....Crowning achievement was game management as the Bucs upset the favored Orioles in the Fall Classic.....Manny cools off a bit in next few years but remains near the top of his peers with a BA always above .280....returns to +.300 mark with a .328 accomplishment in 1975 reaching highs in OBP and SLG.....was traded to Oakland for 1977 in a typical swap involving the rights to manager Chuck Tanner.....steady body of work in light of a team gutted by free agency....returned to Steel City in a reserve role for next three years....one last blaze of glory circa 1979.....a walk off hit in game 2 bringing home his replacement Ed Ott as the Pirates repeat another WS victory over the Orioles....Traded to Cleveland for 1980 but was released in spring training.....A Pirate icon hitting .299 over 12 years in the gold and black....personal opinion Manny is the GOAT of Pirate backstops.....still active with the franchise reminding the faithful of better days.