1976 Topps #560 - Jorge Orta

• Jorge Orta played in the majors for 16 years (1972-1987), mostly as a second baseman. Orta was signed by the Chicago White Sox in 1972. Jorge started the 1972 season with the White Sox and started off well before tailing off in May. Orta played a total of 51 games for the White Sox in 1972 and batted .202. 
• Early in his career Orta was a below-average fielder. His defense improved, but he was never in the game for his glove.
• Jorge became the starting 2B for the White Sox in 1973. He batted .266 in 128 games in 1973. Orta had his first good offensive season in 1974, batting .316 with 10 HR and 67 RBI in 139 games.
• Orta made his first AL All Star team in 1975 (he didn't play in the game) and batted .304 with 11 HR and 83 RBI.
• In 1976 Jorge was used in the outfield and at third base. He batted .274 with 14 HR and 72 RBI in 158 games. Orta was moved back to second base in 1977 and batted .282 with 11 HR and 84 RBI.
• Jorge had his best fielding year at second base in 1978 (.984 vs. a league average of .980). Orta got hurt on September 1 and missed the rest of the season. He batted .274 with 13 HR and 53 RBI. In 1979 Orta was used as a DH more than at 2B. He batted .262 with 11 HR and 46 RBI in '79. After the 1979 season Jorge became a free agent and signed with the Cleveland Indians for five years at $250,000 per season.
• Orta was moved to right field for the 1980 season and responded with his second (and last) All Star season. Jorge didn't get into this All Star Game either, which must have been disappointing. Orta batted .291 with 10 HR and 64 RBI in 1980. In the strike-shortened 1981 season Jorge batted .272 with 5 HR and 34 RBI in 88 games.
• After the 1981 season Orta was sent to the LA Dodgers as part of the deal that sent Rick Sutcliffe to Cleveland. Jorge played in only 17 games in the field in 1982, as the Dodgers used him mostly as a pinch hitter. He appeared in a total of 86 games and batted .217 in 115 at bats. Orta was traded to the New York Mets after the 1982 season for Pat Zachry. Before the start of the 1983 season Jorge was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Steve Senteney.
• At this point in his career Jorge was mostly a designated hitter (he occasionally played in the outfield and pinch hit as well). He didn't appear in the field in his final three seasons (1985-1987). In 1983 Orta batted .237 with 10 HR and 38 RBI in 103 games. After the 1983 season Orta was traded to the Kansas City Royals for Willie Aikens.
• Jorge had a good year with the bat in 1984. He batted .298 with 9 HR and 50 RBI in 122 games during the regular season. Orta finally got a chance to play in the post season and went 1 for 10 in three games in the ALCS.
• Orta batted .267 with four HR and 45 RBI in 1985. He went 0 for 5 in two games in the ALCS and was 1 for 3 in three games in the World Series. He was involved in the famous play in the bottom of the 9th inning of game 6 of the World Series in which umpire Don Denkinger mistakenly called him safe at first base on a ground ball. The Royals went on to win Game 6 and also won Game 7 to claim the World Championship.
• Jorge batted .277 with 9 HR and 46 RBI in 1986. The Royals released Orta after the 1986 season but signed him again (for less money) before the start of the 1987 season.
• Orta didn't do much with the bat in 1987. He was batting .180 in 50 AB when he was released on June 17.
• Liked to face: Tom Buskey (.600 in 15 AB); Doug Bird (.517 in 29 AB); Dennis Eckersley (.500 in 50 AB)
• Hated to face: Mike Norris (.000 in 24 AB); Steve Renko (.053 in 19 AB); Nolan Ryan (.139 with 30 strikeouts in 79 AB)

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