Mariano Duncan Nalasco(born March 13, 1963) is a Dominican formersecond basemanandshortstopwho played for theLos Angeles Dodgers,Cincinnati Reds,Philadelphia Phillies,New York Yankees,andToronto Blue JaysofMajor League Baseballand theYomiuri GiantsofNippon Professional Baseballduring his 12-year career. He was the infield coach and first base coach for theLos Angeles Dodgersunder managersGrady LittleandJoe Torre.Duncan was anMLB All-Starin 1994 and won twoWorld Serieschampionships as a player.
| Mariano Duncan | |
|---|---|
 Duncan with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007 | |
| Second baseman/Shortstop | |
| Born:March 13, 1963 San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic | |
Batted:Right[a] Threw:Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB:April 9, 1985, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| NPB:April 3, 1998, for the Yomiuri Giants | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB:September 17, 1997, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| NPB:September 17, 1998, for the Yomiuri Giants | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .267 |
| Home runs | 87 |
| Runs batted in | 491 |
| NPB statistics | |
| Batting average | .232 |
| Home runs | 10 |
| Runs batted in | 34 |
| StatsatBaseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
As player
As coach | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Playing career
editLos Angeles Dodgers
editDuncan was signed by theLos Angeles Dodgersas an undrafted free agent on January 7, 1982. He played in the Dodgers minor league system for three seasons with theLethbridge Dodgersin 1982,Vero Beach Dodgersin 1983 andSan Antonio Dodgersin 1984. He stole 56 bases for Vero Beach and 41 bases for San Antonio, and at San Antonio he tiedStu Pedersonfor the league lead in triples.[1]He made his major league debut, starting at second base, for the Dodgers on April 9, 1985 against theHouston Astros,and was 0 for 4 in his debut. He got his first major league hit on April 10 against Astros pitcherJoe Niekro.
In his rookie season, July 6, 1985, vs.St. Louis Cardinals,Duncan accomplished the rare feat of bunting for a double where the ball was untouched and did not roll beyond the base paths. The Dodgers won the game 8-3.[2][3]
He stole 38 bases in his rookie season and finished third in the rookie of the year voting.
Cincinnati Reds
editDuncan was traded by the Dodgers to theCincinnati RedswithTim Learyon July 18,1989forLenny HarrisandKal Daniels.[4]
Philadelphia Phillies
editDuncan signed with thePhiladelphia Phillieson April 14, 1992. He played three seasons for the Phils before being claimed off waivers by the Reds on August 8, 1995.
New York Yankees
editOn December 11, 1995, Duncan signed with theNew York Yankees,and he spent a season and a half in New York. In his only full season in 1996, he hit.340 with 56 runs batted in.[5]
Duncan coined the phrase, "we play today, we win today... das it!" which became the mantra for the 1996 World Series champion New York Yankees. Many of the players wore T-shirts with the slogan under their uniforms daily.[6]
In 1997, he played in 50 games, hitting just.244 with 13 runs batted in. On July 6, 1997, Duncan andKenny Rogerswere traded to theSan Diego PadresforGreg Vaughnand two minor league players. The deal was voided days later due to Vaughn failing his physical.[7]
Toronto Blue Jays
editDuncan was traded to theToronto Blue Jayson July 29, 1997 for minor leaguer Angel Ramirez. He spent a half of the season with the Blue Jays.[8]
Yomiuri Giants
editDuncan played one season for theYomiuri Giantsin 1998.
Career statistics
editIn 1279 games over 12 seasons, Duncan compiled a.267batting average(1247-for-4677) with 619runs,233doubles,37triples,87home runs,491RBI,174stolen bases,201walks,913strikeouts,.300on-base percentageand.388slugging percentage.Defensively, he recorded a.963fielding percentage,primarily at second base and shortstop. In 43 postseason games (3 World Series, 7 playoff series) he batted.243 (37-for-152) with 14 runs, 1 home run, 12 RBI and 7 stolen bases.
Highlights
edit- Member of the Reds'1990 World Champion team,the Phillies'1993 National League Champion team,and the Yankees'1996 World Champion team.
Coaching career
edit- 2003:Gulf Coast Dodgers
- 2004:Jacksonville Suns
- 2005:Las Vegas 51s
- 2006–2010:Los Angeles Dodgers
- 2011–2012:Tennessee Smokies
- 2013–2014:Daytona Cubs
- 2015–2016, 2018:Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- 2017:Iowa Cubs
- 2018:West Michigan Whitecaps
- 2019:Kingsport Mets
- 2020:Columbia Fireflies(Season Cancelled)
- 2021:Brooklyn Cyclones
- 2022:Binghamton Rumble Ponies
See also
editNotes
edit- ^Duncan batted as aswitch hitterbetween 1985 and 1987.
References
edit- ^King, David (2004).San Antonio at Bat: Professional Baseball in the Alamo City.Texas A&M University Press.ISBN9781585443765.
- ^"Mariano Duncan Bunt Double!" Los Angeles Dodgers "" St. Louis Cardinals "".YouTube.
- ^"Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals Box Score, July 6, 1985".
- ^"Mariano Duncan".
- ^"Mariano Duncan Stats".
- ^"We Play Today, We Win Today, Das It: The Out of Nowhere Greatness of Mariano Duncan".riveraveblues.com.River Avenue Blues (reposted from the New York Daily News). February 3, 2016.RetrievedApril 7,2023.
- ^"Yankees-Padres 5-player trade not going to happen".July 6, 1997.
- ^"Mariano Duncan Stats".
External links
edit- Career statistics fromMLB,orESPN,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors),orRetrosheet
- Mariano Duncanat SABR (Baseball BioProject)
- Mariano Duncanat Baseball Almanac