Manny Sanguillen
The sharpshooting catcher who out-hit rivals and won two World Series against the Orioles.
Manuel De Jesus Sanguillén Magan is a Panamanian former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1967 and from 1969 through 1980. He is most notably recognized for his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he helped secure five National League Eastern Division titles between 1970 and 1975. His career was highlighted by World Series victories in 1971 and 1979, both achieved against the Baltimore Orioles. Although often overshadowed by contemporary Johnny Bench, Sanguillén was considered one of the best catchers in the early 1970s, combining a high batting average with exceptional defensive skills.
- Character
- Defensive Catcher
- Primary Team
- Pittsburgh Pirates (1969–1980, 1967)
- Era
- Late 1960s – Late 1970s
- Status
- Retired / Hall of Fame Inductee (2024)
- Key Achievement
- 2x World Series Champion (1971, 1979) vs. Baltimore Orioles
- Defensive Record
- Led NL in assists once; 51.4% caught stealing rate in 1971
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Sanguillén's journey to baseball began remarkably late; he did not touch a ball until age nineteen after joining an Evangelical Baptist Church team. Known as a "bad-ball" hitter, he irritated opposing pitchers by hitting pitches outside the strike zone with two strikes on him. This aggressive approach meant he rarely walked, becoming the only player since 1900 to record at least six straight seasons with 475 plate appearances and fewer than 22 walks. Despite a career batting average of .296—fourth-highest for a catcher since World War II—his on-base percentage remained below league average due to this lack of patience.
In Their Own Story
In the 1971 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles, Sanguillén delivered one of his finest performances. Over seven games, he recorded an impressive .379 batting average with 11 hits, second only to teammate Roberto Clemente's 12. That same year, he finished third in National League catcher games caught (135) and led the league in assists (72). His defensive prowess continued into 1979, where he contributed a crucial two-out, game-winning single and RBI in Game 2 of the World Series against the Orioles, helping secure his second championship ring with Pittsburgh.
Reader's Guide
Sanguillén's career offers a unique perspective on the value of contact hitting over power. While he lacked the raw home run power of Johnny Bench, he compensated by consistently hitting for a higher average and maintaining elite defensive metrics, such as catching 37 runners stealing in 1971 with a 51.4% success rate. His versatility was tested briefly in 1973 when the Pirates attempted to move him to right field following Clemente's death, but he returned to his natural position by mid-June. His career also included a brief stint with the Oakland Athletics in 1977 before returning to Pittsburgh for his final seasons.
Did You Know?
- Sanguillén was the only player since 1900 to have six straight seasons with at least 475 plate appearances and fewer than 22 walks.
- He missed the tragic plane crash that killed Roberto Clemente in 1972 because he misplaced his car keys, leaving him devastated when he learned of the accident.
- Despite sharks swimming in the water, Sanguillen dove from dawn till midnight to help recover bodies after the plane crash, missing his teammates' memorial service for Clemente.
- He hit for a .379 average with 11 hits in the 1971 World Series against Baltimore, finishing second only to Roberto Clemente on the Pirates.
- Sanguillén was inducted into the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame in 2024.