Luis Aguayo
From BR Bullpen
Luis Aguayo Muriel
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 9", Weight 185 lb.
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[edit] Biographical Information
Luis Aguayo had the kind of career that latter-day salary structures would probably not allow: a quiet ten-year career as a modestly-paid utility infielder. He spent nine of those seasons with the same team, the Philadelphia Phillies. Starting infielders came and went, but Aguayo was a fixture on the Phillies' bench during the 1980s.
Aguayo was capable of playing third base, second base, and shortstop, but third base was considered his best position. The conventional wisdom was that he lacked the range and arm to handle shortstop for an extended period of time. Aguayo's first big league break came in the spring of 1980, when he briefly took over as the Phillies' second baseman when Manny Trillo went down with an injury. However, he spent most of 1980 in the American Association, where he led the league in errors. After spending 1981 as a utility infielder for the Phillies, Aguayo was part of trade rumors that had him going to the Chicago Cubs with Larry Bowa and Dick Davis for Ivan DeJesus and Bill Caudill. Unfortunately for Phillies fans, the trade was restructured to include Ryne Sandberg instead.
Aguayo remained in Philadelphia in 1982, but spent most of 1983 in Triple A Portland. He returned to the big leagues to stay in 1984. In 1987, Aguayo raised some eyebrows by popping 12 homers in 209 at bats. This was held out by some as evidence of that season's "rabbit ball," but Aguayo (who was reputedly a dead fastball hitter) did have some pop in his bat.
On July 15, 1988, Aguayo was traded to the New York Yankees for Amalio Carreno. He signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1989 and finished up his major league career riding their bench. Aguayo played briefly for Triple A Edmonton in 1990 and Triple A Pawtucket in 1991.
After retiring, Aguayo coached at Triple A Pawtucket from 1993 to 1995, and managed the Rookie Gulf Coast League Red Sox from 1997 to 1998, Class A Lowell in 1999, Pioneer League Billings in 2004, and Gulf Coast League Reds in 2005-2006. On June 17, 2008 he was named first base coach of the New York Mets to replace the fired Tom Nieto.
He primarily wore number 16.
[edit] Quotes
- "Luis Aguayo is on deck. Aguayo hasn't exactly been reminding anybody of Rogers Hornsby lately." --Richie Ashburn
- "Aguayo's running at first base. He doesn't have great speed ... what am I saying? he doesn't have good speed, he doesn't even have average speed. The man is slow." --Richie Ashburn
[edit] Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | GCL Red Sox | Gulf Coast League | 31-28 | 5th (t) | Boston Red Sox | |
| 1998 | GCL Red Sox | Gulf Coast League | 27-33 | 10th | Boston Red Sox | |
| 1999 | Lowell Spinners | New York-Penn League | 34-42 | 10th (t) | Boston Red Sox | |
| 2004 | Billings Mustangs | Pioneer League | 37-37 | 5th | Cincinnati Reds | |
| 2005 | GCL Reds | Gulf Coast League | 22-32 | 11th | Cincinnati Reds | |
| 2006 | GCL Reds | Gulf Coast League | 18-34 | 13th | Cincinnati Reds |
