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Monday, June 14, 2010

Former major leaguer Oscar Azocar dies

Farewell Oscar Azocar…and one classic card.

Former major leaguer Oscar Azocar, a free-swinging outfielder when he debuted for the New York Yankees in 1990, died Monday. He was 45.

The native Venezuelan died at a hospital in Valencia, said Diogenes Nazar, press spokesman for one of Azocar’s former teams, the Navegantes del Magallanes.

Repoz Posted: June 14, 2010 at 09:51 PM | 56 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: obituaries, padres, yankees

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1. puck Posted: June 14, 2010 at 09:59 PM (#3559105)

Wow, that was young. I remember him..."his OBP is lower than his batting avg???" Well, it was for a little while during his rookie season.

2. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: June 14, 2010 at 10:09 PM (#3559117)

I remember him..."his OBP is lower than his batting avg???" Well, it was for a little while during his rookie season.

getting 2 BB's in 218 PAs will do that for ya

3. retro-shiite Posted: June 14, 2010 at 10:32 PM (#3559127)

As Bill James once pointed out, the only player with two "cars" in his name.

4. willcarrolldoesnotsuk Posted: June 14, 2010 at 10:51 PM (#3559133)

Sad; so young.

I remember him fondly. He was not a very good player, but he was fun to watch, and he seemed pleasant.

One specific little tidbit I remember (or perhaps misremember), as related by some TV announcer: When playing in left field, and the ball was not hit to him, he apparently had a habit of running down to third base to back it up for errant throws. Some other players poked fun at him for doing this, and asked why he always busted his ass down to third base. Confused by the question, he replied that he did it because that's what he's supposed to do.

5. Sweatpants Posted: June 14, 2010 at 10:53 PM (#3559135)

Unless someone has passed him in the past couple of years, he still holds the record for most career steals without being caught (for the time that we have complete data). RIP.

6. Rich Rifkin Posted: June 14, 2010 at 10:56 PM (#3559136)

As Bill James once pointed out, the only player with two "cars" in his name.

Oscar Azocar was an hombre azucarado, a sweet man. Sorry he has died. Or as Ray DiPerna might say, "Never cared for him."

7. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: June 14, 2010 at 10:57 PM (#3559137)

RIP. Doesn't say how he died.

Azocar, along with Alvaro Espinoza, epitomized those bad early-90s Yankee teams in my mind, despite the fact that he only played 65 games for the franchise.

8. willcarrolldoesnotsuk Posted: June 14, 2010 at 10:59 PM (#3559141)

Yeah, here's confirmation for the "back up third" thing: A Usenet post from 1990 (shortly after he was traded from the Yankees to the Padres) where someone says he saw Azocar run down to third base when a runner on first tried to steal second, so that in case the throw got past the 2B/SS, he would be in place to back up a throw to third from center field.

link

9. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:01 PM (#3559144)

As Bill James once pointed out, the only player with two "cars" in his name.

Not anymore

10. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:10 PM (#3559153)

Taiwan News says he died of a heart attack, and Taiwan News has never lied to me.

11. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:12 PM (#3559156)

Azocar, along with Alvaro Espinoza, epitomized those bad early-90s Yankee teams in my mind, despite the fact that he only played 65 games for the franchise.

Indeed. He's long been my go-to reference for the futility of the 1990 Yankees. He did break up a Tom Candiotti no-hitter, as I recall.

12. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:19 PM (#3559165)

RIP

13. baudib Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:20 PM (#3559166)

Indeed. He's long been my go-to reference for the futility of the 1990 Yankees.

Mine is either the excitement over Hensley "Bam Bam' Meulens or Mel Hall being the team's big-hitting outfielder.

14. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:27 PM (#3559169)

To me, the bottom of the eighth inning of the Andy Hawkins game is the early 1990's Yankees.

15. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:32 PM (#3559172)

Mine is either the excitement over Hensley "Bam Bam' Meulens or Mel Hall being the team's big-hitting outfielder.

C'mon, you've got to link Meulens to Kevin Maas, the new M&M boys!

16. Leroy Kincaid Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:35 PM (#3559174)

My sister's boyfriend at the time (now husband) name was/is Oscar and I would often refer to him as Oscar Azocar. He had no idea what I was talking about.

17. Crispix Attacks Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:36 PM (#3559175)

For some reason all I know about Mel Hall is that he was a total jerk to teammates. I must have read it in that book about Bernie Williams or something. Whatever the source was, it didn't even say whether Mel Hall was a pitcher or hitter or what kind of player he was, just that rookies hated him and other players told the rookies not to be bothered by his jerklike behavior.

18. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:39 PM (#3559177)

19. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:40 PM (#3559179)

Something else you need to know about Mel Hall. He's eligible for parole in 2031.

20. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:43 PM (#3559182)

Ah, that's right. He's also a child sex offender.

21. Crispix Attacks Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:45 PM (#3559186)

One thing about the late Oscar Azocar...he was not a child sex offender. He will be missed.

22. Bruce Markusen Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:51 PM (#3559190)

Mel Hall was a pretty good ballplayer when used properly, that is as a platoon left fielder who would ideally bat about sixth or seventh in the lineup. Unfortunately for the Yankees of the early 1990s, they needed Hall to play more regularly and had him batting fifth or sixth, if not higher. On those Yankee teams, he was actually one of their best players, which tells you all you need to know about the quality of those clubs.

By the way, that's a great card of Azocar. He wasn't much of a major league player, but seemed like a fun-loving guy who was always ready to play hard.

23. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: June 14, 2010 at 11:57 PM (#3559197)

Azocar was just before my real consciousness as a fan. Looking back at his numbers, it stuns me this guy was ever regarded as a prospect. Nonetheless, it appears he was a quality guy and his death can only be described as tragic.

I believe Hall lived in the Trump Tower during his time with the Yankees, dated a HS girl--I think he went to her prom--and had a panther for a brief period. The idea of him mocking Bernie Williams is hard to believe, though it was obviously true.

24. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar Posted: June 15, 2010 at 12:01 AM (#3559203)

The idea of him mocking Bernie Williams is hard to believe, though it was obviously true.

You know the old saying: "He who earns tens of millions of dollars more than Mel Hall, doesn't have a felony child sex abuse conviction, and is widely loved by Yankees fans laughs best." So suck it, Mel Hall.

25. willcarrolldoesnotsuk Posted: June 15, 2010 at 12:05 AM (#3559210)

I believe Hall lived in the Trump Tower during his time with the Yankees, dated a HS girl--I think he went to her prom--and had a panther for a brief period.

I'm sorry - is this some figure of speech with which I am not familiar, or do you literally mean that he kept a large and powerful feline?

26. Tom Nawrocki Posted: June 15, 2010 at 12:07 AM (#3559212)

As Bill James once pointed out, the only player with two "cars" in his name.

What about Carney Lansford?

27. willcarrolldoesnotsuk Posted: June 15, 2010 at 12:11 AM (#3559217)

Mel Hall and Jim Leyritz were teammates on the Yankees from 1990 to 1992. Is it possible that one of these teams has, or will have, the major league record for time served?

28. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: June 15, 2010 at 12:15 AM (#3559219)

Mel Hall and Jim Leyritz were teammates on the Yankees from 1990 to 1992. Is it possible that one of these teams has, or will have, the major league record for time served?

Luis Polonia adds a couple of months to the 1990 total. And Steve Sax confessed to killing a lot of people.

29. Crispix Attacks Posted: June 15, 2010 at 12:16 AM (#3559223)

Noted cocaine aficionado Pascual Perez was also on the 1990 Yankees. He was in jail for months in the Dominican Republic during his career which should count at least double.

Jesse Barfield didn't go to jail himself, but adds to the sadness total.

Deion Sanders's mysterious relationships with college football players have not yet led to any jail time, but he was arrested for both fishing and assault.

30. Pat Rapper's Delight Posted: June 15, 2010 at 12:19 AM (#3559226)

I wish more of today's mercenary Yankees squad were just like Azocar.

31. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: June 15, 2010 at 12:20 AM (#3559227)

Dave Winfield was wanted in Canada for a while.

32. willcarrolldoesnotsuk Posted: June 15, 2010 at 12:23 AM (#3559235)

Heh - citation needed, but Wikipedia on Sax:

Teammate Pedro Guerrero, an outfielder pressed into service at third base in 1983, once reportedly stated that his first thought whenever he was in the field was "I hope they don't hit it to me," while his second thought was "I hope they don't hit it to Sax."

33. Rich Posted: June 15, 2010 at 12:58 AM (#3559277)

As Bill James once pointed out, the only player with two "cars" in his name.

He needed two cars because he hated to walk (career ISO D = .022).

34. Ron J Posted: June 15, 2010 at 01:41 AM (#3559317)

#33, a repeat because he was a favorite topic of conversation among several of the guys in my strat league.

"I no walk. He walk me" after his first major league walk.

He was probably right too. The guy who pulled it off (Vance Lovelace) walked 6 of the 17 batters he faced (and hit one) in what was for some reason his last year in the majors. I guess there's really not much call for a LOWGY.

I'm honestly not certain whether he or Manny Sanguillen had the biggest strike zone I've ever seen. Sanguillen could bloop anything he could reach for a single, but the major constraint in pitching to him was that the catcher had to at least be able to reach the pitch (maybe not even that if there was nobody on). One of the most amazing hitters I've ever seen. Not all that good maybe, but really amazing.

35. The importance of being Ernest Riles Posted: June 15, 2010 at 01:51 AM (#3559323)

Carney Lansford

Or Honda Toyotaman?

36. Voros McCracken, Human Shield Posted: June 15, 2010 at 01:59 AM (#3559328)

One of my favorite players to reference from the 90s because of the non walking. RIP Oscar.

37. Baseball-Birthdays.com Posted: June 15, 2010 at 02:05 AM (#3559335)

Manny Sanguillen

yeah, fond memories of Manny tomahawking at anything within reach :)

RIP, Oscar.

38. Crispix Attacks Posted: June 15, 2010 at 02:10 AM (#3559340)

What about Datsun Mazdazaka?

39. Guapo Posted: June 15, 2010 at 02:15 AM (#3559349)

I believe Hall lived in the Trump Tower during his time with the Yankees, dated a HS girl--I think he went to her prom--and had a panther for a brief period.

This is the greatest post in the history of this website.

40. Davo Malvolio Posted: June 15, 2010 at 02:26 AM (#3559364)

Timothy Leary went 9-19 for the 1990 Yankees. He was also, of course, the most dangerous man in America.

41. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: June 15, 2010 at 02:28 AM (#3559366)

I'm sorry - is this some figure of speech with which I am not familiar, or do you literally mean that he kept a large and powerful feline?

I can't vouch for the exact species of big cat-- panther, tiger, leopard-- but I do remember hearing that Mel Hall caused a commotion one day by walking it into the Yankees' clubhouse on a leash.

42. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: June 15, 2010 at 02:31 AM (#3559372)

Timothy Leary went 9-19 for the 1990 Yankees. He was also, of course, the most dangerous man in America.
Page 1 of 1 pages

Timothey Leary's Dead

43. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: June 15, 2010 at 03:01 AM (#3559399)

IIRC, Mel Hall was the guy who wore batting gloves inhis back pocket so he could wave goodbye to the pitcher during his home run trot. 2031? Blackie Schwamb killed a guy and all he got was 10 years. Life was cheaper back then.

As for Azocar, that is a cool baseball card.

44. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: June 15, 2010 at 03:35 AM (#3559414)

The Indians manager once declared that an injury to Mel Hall cost his team 5 or games.

A bold claim

45. Bob Tufts Posted: June 15, 2010 at 03:43 AM (#3559418)

No, no, no, no, He's outside looking in.

If Hall and Polonia had only slept with co-workers they could have landed guest slots on ESPN's "Baseball Tonight".

46. jwb Posted: June 15, 2010 at 03:45 AM (#3559420)

Several former minor league players have been executed. Another was recently sentenced to death, but his death sentence was commuted.

And of course there's Tacks Latimer. Some guy name Daly wrote about him on SABR's site.

47. Tom Nawrocki Posted: June 15, 2010 at 03:56 AM (#3559425)

If Hall and Polonia had only slept with co-workers they could have landed guest slots on ESPN's "Baseball Tonight".

For those guys to sleep with co-workers, they'd have had to be running a lemonade stand.

48. Best Dressed Chicken in Town Posted: June 15, 2010 at 04:13 AM (#3559437)

This upsets me more than I thought it would have.

asked why he always busted his ass down to third base. Confused by the question, he replied that he did it because that's what he's supposed to do.

I have no memory of this, but god bless him for it.

In some ways I loved those c. 1990 Yankees more than the current ones.

49. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: June 15, 2010 at 04:23 AM (#3559442)

Don't forget Dave LaPoint. Don't believe he went to jail, but Giants fans hated him, which is good enough for me.

50. Tim Stauffer, Trot Nixon's Coming (Dan Lee) Posted: June 15, 2010 at 06:15 AM (#3559480)

The guy who pulled it off (Vance Lovelace) walked 6 of the 17 batters he faced (and hit one) in what was for some reason his last year in the majors.

Lovelace also inspired a classic Bill James line: "Wilder than a truckload of starving kangaroos."

51. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: June 15, 2010 at 01:54 PM (#3559596)

RIP Oscar. I have the card above. I seem to recall a blooper reel on TWIB with Azocar having a bat literally on fire in the dugout.

Ah, those 1989-1990 Yankees. I grew up with the Yankees kinda sucking and there was something kinda endearing about that. Alvaro Espinoza, Steve Sax, Mike Pagliorulo, Ed Whitson, Andy Hawkins, Wade Johnston, Luis Polonia, Dan Pasqua, Don Slaught, Cecilio Guante, John Candelaria, Claudell Washington, Randy Velarde - good times. And Sam Militello and Hensley Meulens were supposed to save them all.

52. RJ in TO Posted: June 15, 2010 at 02:05 PM (#3559607)

The Indians manager once declared that an injury to Mel Hall cost his team 5 or games.

A bold claim

It was actually pretty reasonable, since Mel Hall was on the Yankees at the time.

Incidentally, wasn't Mel Hall also the guy who put his wife and mistress up at the same hotel during spring training, resulting in a poolside brawl?

53. Wilson Posted: June 15, 2010 at 02:32 PM (#3559660)

RIP Oscar... those were some awful teams, but weirdly fun to root for.
His was my favorite name to hear Bob Sheppard announce.

54. Ron Johnson Posted: June 15, 2010 at 02:49 PM (#3559684)

#52 I thought that was Al Martin.

55. RJ in TO Posted: June 15, 2010 at 02:54 PM (#3559691)

#52 I thought that was Al Martin.

Given that Martin actually had bigamy charges laid against him, it's certainly possible that I'm mixing memories of the two players.

56. johnseal Posted: June 15, 2010 at 04:13 PM (#3559770)

I have another card (I think it's an Upper Deck) with a wonderful picture of Azocar hugging his bat. He may not have been a great player, but he clearly loved the game. RIP.

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Monday, June 14, 2010

Former major leaguer Oscar Azocar dies

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