Mario Mendoza
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Mario Mendoza (born December 26, 1950 in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico) is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1974-78), Seattle Mariners (1979-80) and Texas Rangers (1981-82).
While playing for the Mexico City Reds in 1970, Mendoza was known as Manos de Seda or Silk Hands. [1] His ability for picking grounders prompted the Pirates to purchase his contract. [2] Mendoza was primarily a shortstop, and the epitome of a "good field, no hit" player, compiling a lifetime .215 batting average and .262 slugging percentage. Mendoza also rarely stole a base or drew a walk, resulting in a well-rounded offensive ineptitude that caused him to be little more than a defensive substitute throughout most of his career.
After platooning with Frank Taveras in Pittsburgh, Mendoza requested a trade following the 1978 season. The one exception regarding his offensive struggles was 1979, when the Mariners, in the third year of their existence, gave Mendoza almost 400 at bats over 148 games. He responded with a .198 batting average. [3]
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[edit] Mendoza Line
Mendoza's most lasting contribution to the game was having his name associated with the "Mendoza Line," meaning a batting average below .200. The term was reportedly bestowed by George Brett, who came up with it when using Mendoza as an example of poor hitting during an interview. [4] The remark caught the attention of ESPN announcer Chris Berman, and the Mendoza Line became part of popular culture. It should be noted that Brett also praised the defensive abilities of Mendoza during an interview during the 1980 season when Brett was pursuing .400. Brett opined that Mendoza robbed him of sure base hits on several occasions with exceptional defensive plays.
The Mendoza Line expanded into other forms of popular culture. The TV program Beverly Hills 90210 would use the phrase in reference to Brandon's marginal grades in high school. [5] Even in Mendoza's native land of Mexico, announcers for ESPN Deportes would make use of it.
[edit] Managing Career
After he was released by the Texas Rangers in 1982, Mendoza joined the Pittsburgh Pirates Triple A affiliate in Hawaii. Mendoza became a player-coach for the Hawaii Islanders but left after the 1983 season. [6] Bill Bavasi, an executive with the then-known California Angels felt Mendoza was someone who had potential as a manager because he felt that Mendoza could relate to all types of different personalities.
In 1992, Mendoza would become the manager of the Angels' Class A affiliate in Palm Springs. [7] In 2000, Mendoza would have the opportunity to coach his son Mario, Jr. Father managed son at the Angels' Class A affiliate in Lake Elsinore in 2000. [8] Mendoza, Sr. would spend 10 seasons with the Angels and one season with the San Francisco Giants organization before returning to Mexico in 2003. Mendoza would go on to manage four different teams in Mexico. His most recent managing position was with the Piratas de Campeche. [9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Sports Illustrated, July 2, 2007, p. 114
- ^ Sports Illustrated, July 2, 2007, p. 114
- ^ Sports Illustrated, July 2, 2007, p. 116
- ^ Sports Illustrated, July 2, 2007, p. 116
- ^ Sports Illustrated, July 2, 2007, p. 116
- ^ Sports Illustrated, July 2, 2007, p. 117
- ^ Sports Illustrated, July 2, 2007, p. 117
- ^ Sports Illustrated, July 2, 2007, p. 116
- ^ Sports Illustrated, July 2, 2007, p. 114
- Mendoza's Heroes: Fifty Batters Below .200, Al Pepper, 2002, Poco Press
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
