Willie Montanez
From BR Bullpen
Guillermo Montanez Naranjo
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 1", Weight 193 lb.
[edit] Biographical Information
Willie Montanez made his major league debut at the age of 18 in 1966 with the California Angels but didn't reach the big leagues again until 1970. Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, Montanez finished second in the 1971 NL Rookie of the Year voting to the Braves' Earl Williams. Montanez played first base and outfield for nine different major league teams. He had a .279 lifetime batting average and was an All-Star in 1977 with the Atlanta Braves. Montanez, then in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization, had the distinction of being the player substituted for Curt Flood when Flood refused to report to the Phillies following his trade from the Cardinals in 1969.
- First Baseball Card appearance 1971 Topps.
Willie played for the Caguas Creoles and the Santurce Crabbers of the Puerto Rican Winter Baseball League.
When Montanez broke into the majors in 1966, another rookie on the team was 20-year-old Jay Johnstone, who would later team up again with Montanez on the Phillies.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1971 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
- NL All-Star (1977)
- NL Singles Leader (1976)
- NL Doubles Leader (1972)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 2 (1971 & 1977)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1971)
- 100 RBI Season: 1 (1975)
- 200 Hits Season: 1 (1976)
