A lefthanded reserve who could play anywhere in the outfield, Aldrete enjoyed his best season in San Francisco in 1987, hitting .325 with 9 homers and 51 RBIs when Giants regulars Candy Maldonado and Jeffrey Leonard were injured much of the season. The Sanford alumnus spent most of his career in Northern California; after the Giants traded him to the Expos for Tracy Jones before the 1989 season Aldrete returned to the Bay Area with the A's in 1993. That season, he set a career high with ten round-trippers.
Despite his value off the bench and in the clubhouse, Aldrete was dealt to the Angels in 1995 and on to the Yankees for pitcher Rich Monteleone in June 1996. He made his first-ever pitching appearance for New York late in the season and earned a World Series ring as the Bombers beat the Braves in six. A late addition to the Yankees' postseason roster when Ruben Rivera went down a with sore right shoulder, Aldrete's two appearances in the Fall Classic proved to be his last taste of major-league action. (SCL/JGR)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»September 7, 1986: Montreal's Floyd Youmans and Tim Burke combine to one-hit the Giants but lose 1–0 as Mike Krukow tosses a 2-hit shutout. Mike Aldrete's first-inning double drives in the game's only run.
»September 28, 1996:
The Yankees Andy Pettitte and four relievers clip the Red Sox, 4–2, pinning the loss on Roger Clemens (10–13) in his last appearance in a Boston uniform. Clemens strikes out 10 and allows homers to Mike Aldrete and Bernie Williams. The Sox are reluctant to grant the Rocket's request for a 4-year contract.
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