Sam Parrilla

From BR Bullpen

Samuel Parrilla Monge

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 11", Weight 185 lb.

Debut April 11, 1970
Final Game May 11, 1970
Born June 12, 1943 in Santurce, P.R.
Died February 9, 1994 in Brooklyn, NY USA

[edit] Biographical Information

In 1943 Sam Parrilla was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. An outfielder, he was half Puerto Rican and half Italian decent. Before the season started Parrilla was signed as an amateur free agent by the 1963 Cleveland Indians. He was spotted and signed by Cleveland Indians scout Jose Seda.

He started his professional baseball career in 1963 with the class A Midwest League Dubuque Packers. He appeared in 118 games had 434 at bats, with 104 base hits for a .240 batting average. He spent several years in the minors before being sent to the 1969 Philadelphia Phillies in an unknown transaction.

The 1969 Phillies sent him to Raleigh-Durham Phillies of the Carolina League. There he had a great season, in just 95 games he led the league in grand slams (3), was second in homers with 28 and third in RBIs with 85.

Parrilla finally got to the big show, making his debut on April 11, 1970. He would appear in only 11 games. Sam pinch hit in a 4-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, which ended a Phillies win streak. In his last game, on May 11, 1970, a 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, he played right field and went hitless in three at bats. This year would be his only appearence in the major leagues.

On December 16, 1970 he was traded by the Phillies along with Jim Hutto and Grant Jackson to the Balitimore Orioles for Roger Freed.

The 1971 Orioles sent him to the Rochester Red Wings where he had another good season, hitting .333 in 375 at bats. Sam was in AAA ball in 1972 but did not live up to expectations and this would be his last season in professional baseball.

Retired from baseball for some 20 years, Parrilla was driving his car in Brooklyn, NY in the winter of 1994 when he was rammed from behind by a Jeep that contained several passengers. Both he and the other driver decided not to report the accident to their insurance companies, agreeing to meet a few days later when Sam would collect the money for the damage to his car.

On the afternoon of February 9, 1994 Sam showed up to get his money at the corner of Hoyt and Pacific Streets. An argument ensued and Sam was shot once in the chest by a 15 year old assailant at point blank range. he was taken to Long Island Hospital in Brooklyn, Where he died from his wound. Parrilla was just 50 years old.

Minor League Career Batting Statistics