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35. Bobby Avila

35. Bobby Avila
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: April 2, 1924 in Veracruz, Ve Mexico
  • Weight: 175 lbs.
  • Height: 5'10"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: April 30, 1949
  • Final Game: September 29, 1959
  • TSN All-Star - 1954
  • MVP - 1951
  • MVP - 1952
  • MVP - 1954
 
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924014502592160934156 0.281
 

As Baseball spread in Mexico, it was only a matter of time before a Mexican would gain traction in the Majors.  The first such player was Bobby Avila.

After a few years in the Mexican League, the Cleveland Indians secured his services, and he joined them for 31 Games in 1949. After an 80-Game season for Avila in 1950, he became their starting Second Baseman, batting at least .300 in his first two years as a starter.  Avila did well, leading the American League in Tripes in 1952 and going to his first All-Star Game.

Avila peaked in 1954, winning the Batting Title with a .341 Average, finishing third in MVP tallies, and helping the Indians win the Pennant.  An All-Star again in 1955, Avila remained their starter until 1957.

In 1958, Avila went into a steep decline, and he was traded away to Baltimore after the season.  He bounced around for three Major League teams in 1959 before leaving the Majors at season's end.

With Cleveland, Avila accumulated 1,236 Hits with a .284 Batting Average, and he would stay a hero in Mexico until he died in 2004.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Second Base, Third Base
  • Acquired: Jumped from Puebla (Mexican League) before the 1948 Season.
  • Departed:

    Traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Russ Herman and $30,000 11/2/58.

  • Games Played: 1,207
  • Notable Statistics:

    688 Runs Scored
    1,236 Hits
    182 Doubles
    33 Triples
    74 Home Runs
    442 Runs Batted In
    75 Stolen Bases
    .284/.362/.392 Slash Line
    28.5 bWAR                     

    4 Playoff Games
    1 Run Scored
    2 Hits
    0 Doubles
    0 Triples
    0 Home Runs
    0 Runs Batted In
    0 Stolen Bases
    .133/.235/.133 Slash Line

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    All-Star (1952, 1954 & 1955)
    Highest Batting Average (1954)
    Most Triples (1952)
    Most Sacrifice Hits (1954 & 1955)
    Most Assists by a Second Baseman (1953 & 1954)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a Second Baseman (1956)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Second Baseman (1953)

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