Tony Bernazard
From BR Bullpen
Antonio Bernazard Garcia
- Bats Both, Throws Right
- Height 5' 9", Weight 160 lb.
[edit] Biographical Information
The Montreal Expos signed Tony Bernazard on November 13, 1973 and he played his first pro ball as a 17-year old rookie for the Kinston Expos in the class A Carolina League in 1974. He would spend six years in the minors with his 1978 year with the Denver Bears being his best when he had 479 at-bats with 137 hits, including 9 home runs for an even .300 batting average. Tony also led the American Association, in 1978, scoring 107 runs.
Tony would get his first taste of the big leagues with the 1979 Montreal Expos and over the next 10 seasons he would see the inside of six different club houses. Next would be the Chicago White Sox then the Seattle Mariners, 1984 through 1987 would find him with the Cleveland Indians. Bernazard had an 0-for-44 streak at the plate with the 1984 Indians, finishing at .221. He peaked in 1986, when he batted .301 that included 169 base hits and 73 RBI. Tony also set a club record for homers by a switch hitter (17). This season, on July 1, he became the first Indian to homer from both sides of the plate in one game.
Eventually, his bat could not compensate for his inadequacy as a fielder, and he was traded to the Oakland Athletics in July of 1987.
In 1988, Bernazard signed with Japan's Nankai Hawks. He hit .315/.386/.509 his first year there, then slammed 34 homers and drove in 93 in 1989. In 1990, he slumped to .275/.375/.482 with 13 homers. He had a 28-game hitting streak in 1988.
The 1991 Detroit Tigers gave him his last try but it was over and Tony was released on May 7, 1991.
Career Batting Statistics
| League | G | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | AVG | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minors | 665 | 2,354 | 594 | 85 | 24 | 21 | .241 | .317 |
| Majors | 1,071 | 3,700 | 970 | 177 | 30 | 75 | .262 | .387 |
| Japan | 308 | 1,160 | 335 | 60 | 1 | 67 | .289 | .516 |
| Total | 2,044 | 7,220 | 1899 | 322 | 55 | 163 | .262 | .391 |
[edit] Other Information
- Bernazard was first taught to play by Vic Power in his native Puerto Rico.
- In 2008, Tony Bernazard is the "Vice President, Player Development" for the New York Mets.
[edit] Sources
Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball: Third Edition
Baseball-Reference.com
SABR MILB Database:page
