Nickname: Tití
Position: Outfielder/Infielder/Designated Hitter
Number(s): 46
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Years Played As an Angel: 1981-1985
Angels’ Stats: .293 Avg., 25 HRs, 152 RBIs, 61 2Bs, 13 SBs
Career Stats: .274 Avg., 79 HRs, 476 RBIs, 190 2Bs, 104 SBs
How He Was Acquired: Signed as a free agent in 1981.
Why You Should Know Him: Beniquez had already played for four AL teams (Boston, New York, Texas, Seattle) when he came to California in 1981. He was a valuable backup outfielder for the Angels for five years.
Beniquez hit .265 in 196 at bats in 1982, then improved to .305 in 315 at bats in 1983 and .336 in 354 at bats in 1984. He finished the Anaheim portion of his career with a .304 average in 411 at bats in 1985. Beniquez finished tied for 25th in AL MVP voting in ‘84.
Beniquez got a base hit for the Red Sox during the legendary 1975 World Series between Boston and Cincinnati. He played for three more AL teams after leaving the Angels.
Memorable Moments/Games: The 1982 Angels, managed by Gene Mauch, led the AL in sacrifice hits. Beniquez had 16 of them in just 228 plate appearances.
Anecdotes and Quotes: Beniquez won a Gold Glove as a center fielder in 1977. He didn’t develop as a hitter until coming to the Angels. In fact, of players with more than 500 plate appearances for the Angels, only Rod Carew, Garret Anderson and Luis Polonia had higher batting averages.
Contributed by Brett Borden – AngelsWin.com Columnist
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