Santana was a light hitter valued by the defensively erratic 1986 World Champion
Mets for his consistency at shortstop. Always a slow starter offensively, he hit
a career-low .218 that season, not getting his average above .200 until the end of
August, but was nonetheless in the lineup almost every day. He did have an important
RBI in the Mets' game-winning rally in the seventh inning of Game Seven of the World
Series.
Not a wide-ranging fielder, he used his strong arm to compensate for his
lack of speed, although he also gained notoriety for his "rainbow" throws that always
just beat the runner. He only gunned the ball when necessary. After joining the Yankees
for 1988, he played most of the season with an arm injury. Advised by the team doctor
that a winter's rest would cure his ills, it was discovered during spring training
that surgery was in fact necessary. He missed all of 1989, with any continuation
of his career in doubt.
(SH)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»December 11, 1987:
In the first trade ever between the Yankees and Mets that involves a ML player, the Mets send SS Rafael Santana and a minor leaguer to the Bronx for C Phil Lombardi and minor leaguers Darren Reed and Steve Frey.
»June 11, 1988: Batting seventh as the Yankees DH, ahead of Rafael Santana and Joel Skinner, pitcher Rick Rhoden hits a sacrifice fly in New York's 8–6 win over Baltimore. He is the first pitcher to start a game as a DH since the rule was adopted in 1973. Later, Jose Cruz replaces Rhoden as the DH.
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