Benny Ayala
| Benny Ayala | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Designated hitter/Left fielder | |
| Born:February 7, 1951 Yauco, Puerto Rico | |
Batted:Right Threw:Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 27, 1974, for the New York Mets | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 2, 1985, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .251 |
| Home runs | 38 |
| Runs batted in | 145 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Benigno Ayala Felix(born February 7, 1951) is a Puerto Rican formerMajor League Baseballplayer who had a 10-season career from1974to1985.He playedoutfield,first base,anddesignated hitter.He played for theNew York MetsandSt. Louis Cardinalsboth of theNational Leagueand theBaltimore OriolesandCleveland Indiansboth of theAmerican League.
Career
[edit]Ayala made his major league debut as the Mets' startingleft fielderatShea Stadiumon August 27, 1974. With one out and the bases empty, he hit ahome runin his firstat batoff theHouston Astros'Tom Griffinto open a three-runrally in the bottom of the secondinningin a 4–2 Mets victory.[1]Wearing uniform number 18 and strictly acorner outfielder,Ayala played in only 45 games with the Mets (23 in1974,22 in1976).[2][3]After spending 1974 with New York, he spent 1975 in the minors, 1976 with the New York Mets. He was traded from the Mets to theSt. Louis CardinalsforDoug Clareyduringspring trainingon March 20, 1977.[4]
He was acquired by theBaltimore Oriolesfrom the Cardinals forMike Dimmelon January 16, 1979 and assigned to theRochester Red Wings.His contract was purchased by the Orioles from the Red Wings3+1⁄2months later on April 30.[4]With Baltimore, Ayala routinelyplatoonedwithGary RoenickeandJohn Lowenstein.[5]
Ayala appeared in two World Series with Baltimore. In 1979, he belted a two-run homer in the Orioles' Game 3 win over the Pirates. In 1983, he made one pinch-hitting appearance against the Phillies. He singled home the tying run in Game 3 and later scored the winning run. The Orioles elected not to renew the option year on his contract on September 28, 1984.[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^New York Mets 4, Houston Astros 2; Tuesday, August 27, 1974 (N) at Shea Stadium (box score) – Retrosheet.
- ^Benny Ayala (uniform numbers worn) – Mets by the Numbers.ArchivedJanuary 8, 2009, at theWayback Machine
- ^Benny Ayala (statistics & history) – Baseball-Reference.
- ^abBaltimore Orioles 1980 Information Guide (scroll down to page 85).Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^Steve Wulf (July 12, 1982)."The Orioles' three-player platoon in leftfield has been a – 07.12.82 – SI Vault".Si. Archived fromthe originalon February 21, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 3,2014.
- ^"Sports People: Orioles Clean House,"The New York Times,Saturday, September 29, 1984.Retrieved January 22, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics and player information fromBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors)
- Wulf, Steve"It's The Right Idea For Left",Sports Illustrated,July 12, 1982
- 1951 births
- Living people
- Baltimore Orioles players
- Cleveland Indians players
- Columbus Clippers players
- Maine Guides players
- Major League Baseball designated hitters
- Major League Baseball first basemen
- Major League Baseball left fielders
- Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico
- Major League Baseball right fielders
- Memphis Blues players
- New Orleans Pelicans (baseball) players
- New York Mets players
- People from Yauco, Puerto Rico
- Pompano Beach Mets players
- Rochester Red Wings players
- Springfield Redbirds players
- St. Louis Cardinals players
- Tidewater Tides players
- Visalia Mets players
- West Palm Beach Tropics players