Advanced billing with the albatross label of “the new Roberto Clemente”....ideal spawned in his native Puerto Rico.....such comparisons turned out to be way over extended....evidence of failing to achieve his advanced billing; started in Pittsburgh organization and garnered a few big club at bats in a call up....liabilities became evident, a poor fielder, weak against right handed pitching, and later a fiery temper.....Two stories abound with his attainment by the A’s....either a player to be named later or purchased outright; depending on the source....Decent MLB debut with the A’s in 1971 with a .287 BA.....even garnered a few ROY votes and a Topps Rookie award....Trouble with following up in 1972 with 40 point BA drop, stagnating his playing time as a late season influx of veteran outfielders joined the fray....the year did harvest the greatest moment of his career with a clutch WS game winning pinch hit....Mangual was relegated further down the Oakland bench with the addition of Bill North in 1973....BA dovetailed another 20 points....was able to regain playing time the following year and put up career numbers but only a marginal uptick in BA rubbed out Mangual’s chances of advancement....was only to play sporadically in 1975 and most relegated to minors in 1976....after a brief comeback chance in the Mexican league was out of baseball at age 32.....little is known about post baseball life but there was some allegations of involvement in a drug cartel in the late 90’s.....passed away in 2121....bloodlines include a brother, Pepe, and a cousin, Coco Laboy, who also were major leaguers.
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