Joe Azcue
Born: 8/18/1939 in Cienfuegos, Cienfuegos, Cuba
MLB Debut: 1960-08-03 | Final Game: 1972-09-29
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Jose Joaquin Azcue
Biography
Joe Azcue, born in 1939, was a skilled position player who made a significant impact in Major League Baseball from 1960 until his retirement in 1972. Over the course of his career, he played in 909 games, accumulating 712 hits and a batting average of .252. Known for his versatility, Azcue played primarily as a catcher and was recognized for his solid defensive skills and ability to handle a pitching staff. His offensive contributions included 50 home runs and 304 RBIs, showcasing his ability to drive in runs during crucial moments.
Azcue's career was highlighted by his selection to the All-Star team, an honor that underscored his talent during a competitive era in baseball. He played in a time when the sport was evolving, with the integration of players from diverse backgrounds and the rise of power-hitting. Beyond his statistics, Joe Azcue's legacy includes his role in fostering camaraderie among teammates and his contributions to the teams he played for, including the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals. His journey through the game reflects the dynamic nature of baseball during the 1960s and early 1970s, a time of both change and innovation in America's pastime.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 909 | 2828 | 201 | 712 | 94 | 9 | 50 | 304 | 5 | 207 | 344 | 0.252 | 0.304 | 0.344 | 0.648 | -2237.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | CIN | NL | 14 | 31 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0.097 | 0.0 |
| 1962 | KC1 | AL | 72 | 223 | 18 | 51 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 1 | 17 | 27 | 0.229 | -730.4 |
| 1963 | CLE | AL | 94 | 320 | 26 | 91 | 16 | 0 | 14 | 46 | 1 | 15 | 46 | 0.284 | 693.3 |
| 1963 | KC1 | AL | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 | 693.3 |
| 1964 | CLE | AL | 83 | 271 | 20 | 74 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 34 | 0 | 16 | 38 | 0.273 | -146.8 |
| 1965 | CLE | AL | 111 | 335 | 16 | 77 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 35 | 2 | 27 | 54 | 0.230 | -1048.7 |
| 1966 | CLE | AL | 98 | 302 | 22 | 83 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 37 | 0 | 20 | 22 | 0.275 | 253.1 |
| 1967 | CLE | AL | 86 | 295 | 33 | 74 | 12 | 5 | 11 | 34 | 0 | 22 | 35 | 0.251 | 506.7 |
| 1968 | CLE | AL | 115 | 357 | 23 | 100 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 42 | 1 | 28 | 33 | 0.280 | 376.2 |
| 1969 | BOS | AL | 19 | 51 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0.216 | -186.1 |
| 1969 | LAA | AL | 80 | 248 | 15 | 54 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 27 | 28 | 0.218 | -186.1 |
| 1969 | CLE | AL | 7 | 24 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0.292 | -186.1 |
| 1970 | LAA | AL | 114 | 351 | 19 | 85 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 24 | 40 | 0.242 | -1112.9 |
| 1972 | LAA | AL | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1972 | ATL | AL | 11 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0.143 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 868 | 773 | 5329 | 452 | 44 | 67 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | CIN | C | 14 | 6 | 66 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 1962 | KC1 | C | 70 | 64 | 363 | 42 | 6 | 5 |
| 1963 | CLE | C | 91 | 84 | 564 | 42 | 5 | 13 |
| 1963 | KC1 | C | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1964 | CLE | C | 76 | 70 | 510 | 36 | 4 | 2 |
| 1965 | CLE | C | 108 | 97 | 714 | 53 | 5 | 2 |
| 1966 | CLE | C | 97 | 87 | 588 | 40 | 7 | 3 |
| 1967 | CLE | C | 86 | 80 | 636 | 57 | 1 | 4 |
| 1968 | CLE | C | 97 | 90 | 699 | 50 | 3 | 11 |
| 1969 | BOS | C | 19 | 14 | 90 | 14 | 2 | 3 |
| 1969 | CAL | C | 80 | 75 | 437 | 52 | 4 | 10 |
| 1969 | CLE | C | 6 | 6 | 46 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| 1970 | CAL | C | 112 | 98 | 587 | 51 | 6 | 10 |
| 1972 | CAL | C | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1972 | ML4 | C | 9 | 2 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 867 |