Ozzie Canseco
From BR Bullpen
Osvaldo Canseco Capas
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 220 lb.
- School Miami-Dade South Community College
- Debut July 18, 1990
- Final Game May 13, 1993
- Born July 2, 1964 in Havana, Cuba
[edit] Biographical Information
Ozzie Canseco played three years in the major leagues, but he also had a long career in the minors and independent leagues (1983-2001) both as a pitcher and as a position player. As a pitcher in the minors, he appeared in 72 games; as a hitter in the minors, he appeared in 749 games; as a major leaguer, he appeared in 24 games. He also spent a little time in Japan.
He was drafted in the 2nd round by the New York Yankees in 1983. He was primarily a pitcher in 1983, 1984, and 1985. His best performance was in 1985 in 9 games with the Gulf Coast Yankees where his ERA was 1.57. His serious pitching career was all in Single A, although later as a Double A position player in 1989 he also pitched in 3 games for Huntsville.
He was converted into a position player in 1985 and 1986. He showed some power, culminating in his 1990 year in Huntsville where he hit 20 home runs in 97 games, and his 1992 year in Triple A Louisville where he hit 22 home runs in 98 games. In 1990, he was up in the majors part of the season, with the Oakland Athletics when they won the pennant. He did not appear in post-season play. In 1992, he was up in the majors part of the season with the St. Louis Cardinals. He also had 6 games with the 1993 St. Louis Cardinals.
He came back in 2000 and 2001 with the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League. He hit 48 home runs in 2000 and was named Atlantic League Player of the Year. The following year he was in 38 games, hitting .207.
Ozzie Canseco is the twin brother of Jose Canseco. The two were briefly teammates with the 1990 Oakland Athletics, and their combined M.L. home run total stands at 462. Despite his size and apparent power, Ozzie never hit an M.L. home run.
He was signed by the Kintetsu Buffaloes in January 1991, but didn't make the team and was released in June.
