Surrounded by superstars, Bert Campaneris was a key contributor to the great Oakland
teams with his competitive spirit and superb play. His memorable debut with the Kansas
City A's (July 23, 1964) included two home runs, one off the first major league pitch
ever thrown to him. Bert became only the third player in big league history to hit
two homers in his first game. He made headlines in one of club owner Charlie Finley's
publicity stunts in 1965. On September 9, Campaneris played every position in a nine
inning game. He also led the A's in hitting (.270), edged his cousin,
Jose Cardenal,
for the league lead in steals (51), and led the league in triples (12). Campy became
one of baseball's all-time top base thiefs, stealing 649 bases to rank seventh all-time
on his
retirement and leading the
American League six times, including his first
four full seasons (1965-68).
When the A's moved to Oakland in 1968, Bert led the
league in hits (177) and at-bats. Though he struck out more than some leadoff hitters
and didn't walk much, he was a catalyst in the Oakland attack. Hitting from an extreme
crouch, the Cuban righthander would get on base and disrupt pitchers. He improved
consistently on defense, leading AL shortstops with 795 chances in 1972. An adept
bunter, he led the AL in sacrifice bunts in 1972 (20) and 1978 (40). Despite these
credentials, Bert is most associated with an unfortunate incident in the 1972 American
League Championship Series. In Game Two, he already had three hits, two steals and
two runs scored as he faced Detroit hurler Lerrin LaGrow. When LaGrow's pitch hit
Campaneris in the ankle, Bert flung his bat at the hurler. A near-riot ensued as
Detroit manager Billy Martin charged Campaneris. The batter and pitcher were both
ejected. Bert was suspended for the remainder of the playoffs, reinstated for the
World Series (in which he was hit by pitches three times), and suspended for the
first seven games of 1973. He was the shortstop on TSN's post-season AL All-Star
Team in 1973 and 1974. In 1976, his 52 steals helped the A's set an AL club record
with 341 steals. Like most of the A's, Campaneris played out his option, moving to
the Rangers. After a full season with Texas (1977), age and injuries limited Bert
to part-time, utility duty. He spent 1982 in the Mexican League. In 1983, at the
age of 41, Campaneris returned to the big leagues as a utility infielder with the
Yankees, playing for Billy Martin. He responded with a career-high .322 batting average
in 59 games and solid defense at second and third base.
(ME)
Bert Campaneris
