The Secret Weapon
The Jose Oquendo Bio
by James Kunz
Jose Oquendo was born July 4th, 1963 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.
Signed by the New York Mets at age 16 out of Caimito, Puerto Rico, he carried the "all-field, no-hit label" that condemns many players to low-profile careers. In 1983, he was the Mets' full time shortstop, and although a fine fielder, the Mets never saw him becoming an adequate fielder
Therefore, on April 2nd, 1985 he was traded to the Cardinals with Mark Davis in exchange for Angel Salazar and John Young. In 517 at bats with the Mets, Oquendo had only managed to hit .217, with 86 strikeouts and 13 extra base hits. Although the main reason he was signed was insurance in case Ozzie Smith wasn't re-signed, he became somewhat of a Utility Man Extraordinare, and hit .297 in 1986, his first season with St. Louis.
Nicknamed "The Secret Weapon"; he played eight different positions including pitcher in 1987, and all nine positions in 1988. Indeed, on May 14, 1988, he became the first non-pitcher in 20 years to get a ML decision in the Cardinals' 75, 19-inning loss to the Braves. The Cardinals had used seven pitchers when Oquendo was brought in to pitch the 16th inning. He shut out the Braves for three innings before surrendering the game winning two runs.
Oquendo made himself into a better-than-average batter, hitting .291 with 28 doubles, 48 RBI's, and a 23 game hit streak in 1989. However, his true brilliance was displayed in the field, when he tied for the all-time single season record for Second Basemen in Fielding Percentage, .994.
That year, he led the league in Fielding Percentage, Putouts, Assists and Double Plays, becoming the first Second Basemen in 33 years to lead all those categories in one year.
Despite all those achievements, despite setting the record for fewest errors in a season by a second baseman in 1990 (3), he was passed over for the Gold Glove both times by Ryne Sandberg.
Oquendo was the quintessential Herzog Cardinal, aside from the fact that he didn't steal bases. He worked harder than any other player on the team, arriving at the ballpark hours early to work out, take extra batting practice, and field hundreds of extra ground balls. According to Former Cardinals hitting coach Johnny Lewis, "Since day one, Jose has worked harder at his trade than any one I've ever seen."
Although he was signed to a four year contract in 1991 to play shortstop, the plan changed when Smith kept bringing a high level of play. Eventually he eased back into a utility role when prospects such as Luis Alicia and Geronimo Pena were fitted for second base.
Although 32, he retired after the 1995 season, his offensive skills highly diminished. Nonetheless, he had played professional baseball for 18 years, and had become a fine all around player.
James Kunz was born December 16th, 1986. Although he lives in New York, he has been a devout Cardinal fan ever since 1996, and was in Arizona to see Jose Jimenez's no-hitter. He hates the Reds, can't stand the Cubs, and loathes the Astros. We are very pleased to welcome James Kunz to the Birdhouse Team. Check back for his future player bios, coming soon.
