Dec
07
Checking in on Figueroa
ByEd Figueroa had a brief but memorable stint in the Major Leagues. In 1978, he became the first Puerto Rican to win 20 games and won a World Series while with the Yankees. He would go on to win just seven more games over the next three years as injuries cut short his career. Figueroa now owns a few restaurants in Puerto Rico, and Anthony McCarron checked in on him recently. It sounds like the stalwart from the late 1970s Yankees teams is enjoying himself these days.
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Great pitcher.It’s too bad he’s post season numbers weren’t better.He would have been more rememered.
Glad to see he’s living a great life.Boricua!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great trade for the Yanks. We got Mickey Rivers (loved the bat twirl) AND Figueroa for Bobby Bonds.
That late 70′s team was built on great, great trades made by GM Gabe Paul.
Graig Nettles-Traded by the Cleveland Indians with Jerry Moses to the New York Yankees for John Ellis, Jerry Kenney, Charlie Spikes, and Rusty Torres (1972).
Chris Chambliss and Dick Tidrow-Traded to the New York Yankees by the Cleveland Indians for Fritz Peterson, Steve Kline, Fred Beene, and Tom Buskey (1975).
Willie Randolph-Traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates with Ken Brett and Dock Ellis to the New York Yankees for Doc Medich (1975).
Lou Pinella-Traded by the Kansas City Royals with Ken Wright to the New York Yankees for Lindy McDaniel (1973).
Sparky Lyle-Traded by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later and Danny Cater. The New York Yankees sent Mario Guerrero (June 30, 1972) to the Boston Red Sox to complete the trade.
Yes, the Yankees and Red Sox made a trade, as difficult as that is to believe these days.
Check that-Lee MacPhail made the Nettles and Lyle deals. Paul took over in 1973 when George came in.
There were also a few clunkers – Stan Bahnsen for Rich McKinney and the Tippy Martinez/Rick Dempsey for Ken Holtzman, Elrod Hendricks and Rudy May trade – but overall, Gabe Paul did a great job.
Current fans should keep this in mind: Even very good GMs make trades that turn out bad. Just as hitters don’t bat 1.000, neither do GMs.
Nice find, Ben. I don’t know the average age of the RAB poster, but I suspect I’m one of the few who is old enough to remember watching him pitch as a kid in the 70′s. Nice to see him doing well and enjoying life.
“he still follows the game – like many former pitchers, he bemoans today’s specialization, where starters’ workdays last only six innings – and his memories of his career are as clear as a blue sky on a beautiful spring, baseball day.”
You hear this a lot from old timers, and its ironic coming from a guy who’s career was cut short due to arm injuries. Also, the 77-78 Yanks were known for getting lots of runs late in games as the starter began to get fatigued. Nettles made a career out of getting hits from the 7th inning on. Oh well.
Nice article,good to hear he is doing fine.And yes,bring him back to NY.