The 1970s baseball scene in Pittsburgh is often seen as dominated by larger-than-life figures who captured national attention. However, behind the legendary "Lumber Company" lineup from behind the plate was a lively, free-swinging artist from Panama, known for playing with a joy that brightened the entire field. Manny Sanguillén, popularly called “Sangy," had a smile as broad as the three rivers and an unorthodox, highly aggressive batting style that challenged traditional hitting methods. Instead of waiting for walks or the perfect pitch, he approached anything within a five-foot radius of home plate as a chance to make solid contact, making him one of the top offensive catchers of his era.
He made his initial appearance in 1967, but it wasn't until 1969 that Sanguillen secured the full-time starting catcher position. He became a consistent hitter during the regular season, managing to succeed in an era filled with top-tier pitching, thanks to his quick, short right-handed swing.
Sanguillen listed four seasons with a batting average over .300, an impressive feat for a catcher in the low-offense era of the 1970s. He was a key contributor to the legendary 1971 World Series champion team, batting .319 in the regular season and delivering 11 crucial hits in the seven-game series victory against Baltimore.
Despite his significant multi-dimensional value, Sanguillen spent much of his prime in the background of a competitive shadow. Nationally, his individual recognition was limited since Johnny Bench dominated the position as the gold standard. Locally, his steady performance was sometimes overshadowed by the star power of his legendary close friend Roberto Clemente and the towering Willie Stargell.
His exceptional defensive skills and quickness behind the plate earned him three consecutive All-Star selections from 1971 to 1973. Notably, in 1972, he had a standout season, finishing eleventh in the National League MVP voting after achieving a career-high .321 batting average.
To tackle structural needs on the mound, management made a bold trade after the 1976 season, sending the franchise's key player to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for manager Chuck Tanner. Reflecting his strong ties to Western Pennsylvania, Tanner later orchestrated a trade that brought Sanguillen back to the Steel City just before the 1978 season.
Although he served as a respected veteran reserve behind Ed Ott during his final three summers in town, his remarkable longevity paid off in the memorable 1979 "We Are Family" season. Off the bench in the crucial late innings of Game 2 in the World Series, he hit a legendary, game-winning pinch-hit single off Baltimore's Don Stanhouse, sparking the team's historic comeback and earning a place in club folklore as one of the few players to win world championship rings in both of the franchise's 1970s dynasties.
Sanguillen retired after the 1980 season, accumulating 1,343 hits and a .299 batting average for Pittsburgh.
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