1976 Topps #580 - Bert Campaneris

• Bert Campaneris had a long career as a major league shortstop. Bert was signed out of Cuba by the Kansas City A's in 1961. Bert played in the minors from 1961-1964 and was brought up to Kansas City in late July 1964 after batting .325 in  AA Birmingham. Campaneris hit two home runs in his first major league game on July 23, 1964 -- the first home run was off of Jim Kaat on the first major league pitch he ever saw. Bert batted .257 in 67 games for the A's in 1964.
• Campaneris was the first player to play all nine positions in a game on September 8, 1965. Bert played in 144 games in 1965 and batted .270. He led the AL with 51 stolen bases. This was the first of six AL stolen base titles for Campaneris. 
• Bert continued to play a steady shortstop for the A's through the 1976 season. He was usually right around the league average in fielding for shortstops. He didn't have very high on base percentages,  but when he did get on base Bert was usually wreaking havoc. He stole at least 40 bases every year from 1965-1970 and his lowest stolen base total as a full-time player was 24 in 1975.
• Bert's best year was in 1968. He batted .276 in an offensively-challenged year and led the AL with 177 hits. Campaneris made his first AL All Star team and finshed 11th in MVP voting.
• A's Campaneris Shooting for New Theft  Mark - July 1970 Baseball Digest
• Campaneris made six AL All Star teams:
• 1968 SS (0 for 1)
• 1972 (didn't play in game)
• 1973 starting SS (0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts)
• 1974 starting SS (0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts)
• 1975 starting SS (2 for 2)
• 1977 SS (0 for 1, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 strikeout)
• Campaneris saw a lot of post-season action with the A's (and later with the California Angels) in the 1970s:
• 1971 ALCS (2-12, .167 in 3 games)
• 1972 ALCS (3 for 7, .429, 3 runs scored in 2 games)
• 1972 World Series (5 for 28, .179 in 7 games)
• 1973 ALCS (7 for 21, .333 in 5 games)
• 1973 World Series (9 for 31, .290 in 7 games)
• 1974 ALCS (3 for 17, .176 in 4 games)
• 1974 World Series (6 for 17, .353 in 5 games)
• 1975 ALCS (0 for 11, .000 in 3 games)
• 1979 ALCS (one defensive appearance, no at bats)
• The reason why Bert played in only two games in the 1972 ALCS was because of an incident that happened late in game 2 of the series. Campaneris had three hits, two stolen bases, and two runs when he faced Detroit pitcher Lerrin LaGrow in the 7th inning. A pitch hit Campaneris on the ankle and Bert flung his bat out at LaGrow. A big brawl ensued and Bert was ejected from the game and suspended for the rest of the ALCS.
• After the 1976 season the once-great Oakland A's were only a shell of a team due to trades and free agent defections. Bert left as a free agent and signed with the Texas Rangers. Campaneris had a typical season (150 games, .254 batting avearage) and led the AL with 40 sacrifice hits. Bert really struggled in 1978 and batted only .186 in 98 games. Bert played in eight games in 1979 before being traded to the California Angels on May 12 for Dave Chalk. Campaneris batted .234 in 85 games for the Angels in 1979.
• Campaneris was a part-time player for the Angels in 1980 (.252 in 17 games) and in 1981 (.256 in 82 at bats). Bert played in the Mexican League in 1982 and then signed with the New York Yankees in 1983. Campaneris spent a couple of weeks in AAA and then batted .322 in 60 games for the Yankees. Campaneris retired after the 1983 season.
• Bert Campaneris: He Sparked Championship A's of 1970s- November 1990 Baseball Digest
• Bert now lives in Scottsdale, AZ and participates in old-timers games and golf tournaments for the Major League Baseball Players' Alumni Association.
• Liked to face: Geoff Zahn (.545 in 22 AB); Mike Paul (.476 in 21 AB); Lindy McDaniel (.440 in 25 AB)
• Hated to face: Rich Gale (.000 in 15 AB); Dick Woodson (.048 in 21 AB); Bill Parsons (.091 in 22 AB)

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