Frank Estrada

From BR Bullpen

Francisco Estrada Soto ("Paquin")

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 8", Weight 182 lb.
School Cuesta College
Debut September 14, 1971
Final Game September 14, 1971
Born February 12, 1948 in Navojoa, Sonora Mexico

[edit] Biographical Information

Catcher Frank Estrada was traded with Nolan Ryan to California but his only major league time consisted of a single game for the New York Mets. During a 30-year pro career, however, "Paquín" was behind the plate for roughly 4,000 games. That is far more than anyone else in pro baseball history.

Estrada holds the minor league baseball record for games caught (2,847). He spent 26 summers in the Mexican League, from 1966 to 1970 and 1974 through 1994, totalling 2,415 games. In the winters Estrada played 1,538 games across 30 seasons (1964-65 through 1993-94).

Estrada's best offensive season was early in his career - in 1970 the 22-year old backstop hit .303/.405/.529. He hit 18 homers, 10 more than his next-best year in Mexico; 11 triples, 7 more than his next-best season in Mexico; his slugging percentage was over 100 points above his 2nd best season in La Liga Mexicana; his 72 walks were 10 more than any other season there. Noted more for his defense than his bat, he hit .275 and slugged .357 in Mexico. He topped .300 5 times in the Mexican League but also hit .230 or less 4 times.

In 2000 he was selected to Mexico's Salon de la Fama as a player, but he is also the most successful manager in his nation's history.

Estrada has led teams to Mexican League titles in 1983, 1990 and 2004 (he had begun managing while still an active player). He managed the Mexican team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He managed Campeche in 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988 and 2003-2005. He also piloted Toluca (1984), the Leon Braves (1989-1991), Minatitlan Petroleros (1992-1994), Puebla Angels (1995), Langosteros de Cancun (1998-1999), Yucatan Lions (2000-2002) and Dorados de Chihuahua (2007 until April 2009).