Luis Aparicio
Luis Aparicio (born April 29, 1934) is a Venezuelan baseball shortstop who played Major League Baseball from 1956 to 1973.
Aparicio, born in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela broke into the major leagues in April 17, 1956, with the Chicago White Sox. He played for them until 1963 when he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles and played there until 1967. After this season was over, Aparicio was traded back to the White Sox where he played from 1968 to 1970. After the end of the '70 season he was traded to the Boston Red Sox where he played from 1971 to 1973 (September 28). The Red Sox released him before the start of the '74 season.
Aparicio's biggest accomplishments were leading the American League a record nine straight times in stolen bases (1956-64), stealing 506 bases in his career and winning the 1966 World Series with the Orioles.
At his retirement, Aparicio was the all-time leader for most games played, assists and double plays by a MLB shortstop and the all-time leader for putouts and total chances by an AL baseball shortstop. Amazingly, he never played in another position than shortstop.
Aparicio received widely recognition throughout his career, winning both the MLB Rookie of the Year and The Sporting News Rookie of the Year awards in 1956, being a 10-time All-Star (1958-64, 1970-72), and received the Gold Glove award nine times (1958-62, 1964, 1966, 1970). He is also the son-in-law of former White Sox outfielder Jim Rivera.
Luis Aparicio was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.
Milestone
- Between 1959 and 1960 the Luis Aparicio-Nellie Fox duo won twice Gold Gloves, starting a select list of eight shortstop-second baseman combinations have won the honor in the same season while playing together.
See also
