The Eastern Stars - Mark Kurlansky [105]
1969
Rafael Robles
Rafael Robles was born on October 20, 1947, in San Pedro de Macorís. The San Francisco Giants signed him prior to the 1967 season and then gave him up to the Padres in the 1968 expansion draft. He debuted in the major leagues on April 8, 1969, for the San Diego Padres and played his final game on June 10, 1972. He played shortstop, except for one game in which he played third base. His three-season career was entirely with the Padres. He died on August 13, 1998.
Santiago Guzmán
Santiago Donovan Guzmán was born on July 25, 1949, in the Angelina sugar mill. A right-hander, he was the first major-league pitcher from San Pedro de Macorís. The Cardinals signed him prior to the 1967 season. He debuted in the major leagues on September 30, 1969, for the St. Louis Cardinals, and played his final game on April 18, 1972. In a total of four seasons, all for the Cardinals, he had a 4.50 ERA.
1973
Pepe Frías
Jesús María Andújar Frías was born on July 14, 1948, in Consuelo. He played shortstop, second base, third base, outfield, right field, center field, and left field. The San Francisco Giants signed him on September 18, 1966, and the Expos signed him as a free agent on August 27, 1969. He debuted in the major leagues on April 6, 1973, for the Montreal Expos. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves on March 31, 1979, to the Texas Rangers on December 6, 1979, and to the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 13, 1980, and played his final game on August 26, 1981, for a total of nine seasons in the major leagues. Frías was a great defender and committed only 5 errors as second baseman and 10 errors as shortstop.
Rafael Batista
Rafael Sánchez Batista was born on October 20, 1947, in Consuelo. A first baseman, he debuted in the major leagues on June 17, 1973, for the Houston Astros and played his final game on April 27, 1975. He played in the major leagues for only two seasons, for a total of 22 games. In 1975 he had a .300 batting average.
1976
Joaquín Andújar
Joaquín Andújar was born on December 21, 1952, in the La Barca section of San Pedro de Macorís. A right-handed pitcher, he was signed by the Cincinnati Reds on November 14, 1969, and was traded to the Astros on October 24, 1975. He debuted in the major leagues on April 8, 1976, for the Houston Astros. He was traded to the Cardinals on June 7, 1981, and pitched his best seasons with them. He won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1982, received a Gold Glove in 1984, won 20 games in 1984 and 21 games in 1985, and won the World Series in 1985. In December 1985 he was traded to the Oakland Athletics and then back to the Astros, for whom he pitched his final game on September 30, 1988. He played a total of thirteen seasons in the major leagues, with a 3.58 ERA. He had to retire early because of leg problems.
Santo Alcalá
Santo Anibal Alcalá was born on December 23, 1952, in Villa Providencia, San Pedro de Macorís. A right-handed pitcher, the Reds signed him prior to the 1970 season. He debuted in the major leagues on April 10, 1976, for the Cincinnati Reds. His career was cut short by an injured pitching arm. During his two years in the majors he struck out 140 batters and had an ERA of 4.76. He pitched his final game on September 25, 1977, for the Montreal Expos.
Juan Ramón Bernhardt
Juan Ramón Coradin Bernhardt was born on August 31, 1953, in San Pedro de Macorís. He debuted in the major leagues on July 10, 1976, for the New York Yankees and played his final game on April 8, 1979. He primarily played as a designated hitter and third baseman.
Alfredo Griffin
Alfredo Claudino Baptist Griffin was born on October 6, 1957, in Consuelo. The Indians signed him on August 22, 1973. He played shortstop, second base, and third base, and was also a designated hitter. He debuted in the major leagues on September 4, 1976, for the Cleveland Indians. In 1978, while playing for the Cleveland Indians, he had a .500 batting average. On December 5, 1978, he was