Álvaro Espinoza
From BR Bullpen
Alvaro Alberto Espinoza
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 181 lb.
- Debut September 14, 1984
- Final Game July 12, 1997
- Born February 19, 1962 in Valencia, Venezuela
[edit] Biographical Information
Alvaro Espinoza was signed as a free agent for the Houston Astros by scout Hank Izquierdo in 1978.
Espinoza was a good-field, no-hit utility infielder for the Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners. His best season was 1991 when he hit .254 and clouted nearly seven home runs. Sportscenter fans probably best remember him as "The Bubble Man" when, as a bench warmer for the 1995 Indians, he'd prank teammates by putting blown up bubblegum on their caps, his teammates none the wiser. He was a Pacific Coast League All-Star in 1993.
In 1998 Espinoza was the Montreal Expos minor league infield coordinator. He managed the Vero Beach Dodgers in 1999 and was the Los Angeles Dodgers roving minor league infield coordinator in 2000-2001. He had the same job with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2002. He was a coach on the big league Pirate staff in 2003 to 2005 and in 2006 he was the roving instructor again. After the season he was named infield coach of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees for 2007.
Espinoza is the brother of Roberto Espinoza, a long-time minor league coach.
[edit] Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Vero Beach Dodgers | Florida State League | 48-85 | 14th | Los Angeles Dodgers |
