Zoilo Versalles
From BR Bullpen
Zoilo Casanova Versalles Rodriguez (Zorro)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10", Weight 150 lb.
- Debut August 1, 1959
- Final Game September 28, 1971
- Born December 18, 1939 in Veldado, Cuba
- Died June 9, 1995 in Bloomington, MN USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Zoilo Versalles played twelve seasons in the majors but is best known for winning the 1965 American League MVP award. Although he is sometimes remembered as a light hitter, it must be recalled that he played most of his career during the second dead-ball era when everyone's stats were down.
Versalles won two Gold Gloves in his career, and led the league in triples three times, runs once, doubles once, total bases once, extra base hits once, and hit-by-pitch once. Although he never led the league in stolen bases, he finished as high as third.
Zoilo was born in Cuba the same year as Cookie Rojas.
Versalles was signed as a free agent in 1958 and was already in the majors in 1959 at age 19. He spent the first nine of his major league seasons with the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins organization. From 1962-65 he showed some power, hitting 17, 10, 20, and 19 home runs.
In 1966, when he hit .249, the league hit .240.
Zoilo came to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968 but hit only .196 (the team hit .230) - partly because of a back injury. In 1969 he hit .236 split between two teams (the league hit .246). After not being in the majors in 1970 (he played in Mexico), he finished out his career with the 1971 Atlanta Braves. In 1972 he was in Japan.
He struggled after leaving baseball. He couldn't read or write English, according to his New York Times obituary, and held a series of menial jobs. Eventually he lost his home, had to sell his awards, and lived on disability payments and Social Security. He suffered two heart attacks and had to have stomach surgery. He died at age 55.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 2-time AL All-Star (1963 & 1965)
- AL MVP (1965)
- 2-time AL Gold Glove Winner (1963 & 1965)
- AL At Bats Leader (1965)
- AL Runs Scored Leader (1965)
- AL Total Bases Leader (1965)
- AL Doubles Leader (1965)
- 3-time AL Triples Leader (1963-1965)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1964)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1965)
| AL MVP | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 1965 | 1966 |
| Brooks Robinson | Zoilo Versalles | Frank Robinson |
