Pancho Herrera
Born: 6/16/1934 in Santiago de Las Vegas, La Habana, Cuba
Died: 4/28/2005 in Miami, FL, USA
MLB Debut: 1958-04-15 | Final Game: 1961-10-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 220 lbs
Full name: Juan Francisco Herrera
Biography
Pancho Herrera, born in 1934, was a notable position player in Major League Baseball who made his mark during the late 1950s and early 1960s. His career spanned from 1958 to October 1, 1961, during a period characterized by the transition from the dominance of the deadball era to a more offensive-minded approach in the game. Herrera played in a total of 300 games, amassing 264 hits with a respectable batting average of .271. His offensive contributions included 31 home runs and 128 RBIs, showcasing his power and ability to drive in runs. Additionally, he demonstrated speed on the bases, finishing with 8 stolen bases throughout his career.
Herrera's playing style was marked by a combination of power and contact, making him a valuable asset to his teams during his brief but impactful career. While he may not have achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, his contributions to the game during a transformative era in baseball history are held in regard by those who appreciate the nuances of the sport. After retiring from baseball on April 15, 1961, Herrera left behind a legacy as a skilled player who navigated the complexities of a rapidly evolving game.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.600 | 0.600 | 1.200 | 1.800 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| 1954 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.750 | 0.750 | 1.500 | 2.250 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 975 | 122 | 264 | 46 | 8 | 31 | 128 | 8 | 113 | 271 | 0.271 | 0.349 | 0.430 | 0.779 | 1733.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | PHI | NL | 29 | 63 | 5 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 0.270 | 4.9 |
| 1960 | PHI | NL | 145 | 512 | 61 | 144 | 26 | 6 | 17 | 71 | 2 | 51 | 136 | 0.281 | 1262.7 |
| 1961 | PHI | NL | 126 | 400 | 56 | 103 | 17 | 2 | 13 | 51 | 5 | 55 | 120 | 0.258 | 466.3 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 260 | 235 | 2051 | 209 | 22 | 195 |
| 2B | 17 | 14 | 36 | 46 | 1 | 11 |
| 3B | 16 | 15 | 21 | 27 | 1 | 3 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | PHI | 1B | 11 | 3 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 1958 | PHI | 3B | 16 | 15 | 21 | 27 | 1 | 3 |
| 1960 | PHI | 1B | 134 | 122 | 1017 | 109 | 14 | 88 |
| 1960 | PHI | 2B | 17 | 14 | 36 | 46 | 1 | 11 |
| 1961 | PHI | 1B | 115 | 110 | 1003 | 96 | 8 | 104 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 260 |
| Second Base | 17 |
| Third Base | 16 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 23th | 1.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1960 | Rookie of the Year | NL | 2nd | 4.0 | 24 | 4 |