Sandy Nava
From BR Bullpen
Vincent Irwin Nava born Irwin Sandy
- Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
- Height 5' 6", Weight 155 lb.
- Debut May 5, 1882
- Final Game June 29, 1886
- Born April 12, 1850 in San Francisco, CA USA
- Died June 15, 1906 in Baltimore, MD USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Sandy Nava has a share of fame for being an early Hispanic in professional baseball. Some people call him the first Mexican-American since his mother was apparently from Mexico, but he was apparently born in San Francisco, CA. The term "apparently" is used because some sources say he was born in Cuba. If born in San Francisco, CA, then he is the first major leaguer born there.
Nava's father was English and Sandy was born with the decidedly un-Hispanic name Irwin Sandy. His photo appears in the book Baseball in Baltimore: The First Hundred Years, though, and he does seem to have some Hispanic features. He has a stocky build, suitable for a catcher. Yet another photo appears here (of the 1882 Grays): Sandy and others.
He caught 12 of Old Hoss Radbourn's starts.
Although Sandy hit only .095 in 1884, he had his most at-bats that year, and his team was the best in major league baseball.
