In a game filled with excellent catchers, the one who stood out was the unlikeliest of all.
In 1988, Jose Oquendo caught an inning for the Cardinals in a game against the Mets at St. Louis.
In doing so, Oquendo became the first National League player in 70 years to play all nine positions in one season.
Before Oquendo, the last to accomplish the feat in the National League was Gene Paulette, primarily a first baseman for the 1918 Cardinals. Cesar Tovar of the American League Twins had played all nine positions in 1968.
On Sept. 24, 1988, the Mets, who already had clinched the National League East crown, jumped to a 6-0 lead in the second inning against the Cardinals.
Oquendo, 25, had started the game at his primary position at second base and moved to shortstop in the sixth inning, replacing Ozzie Smith.
With the Mets ahead, 10-1, Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog, looking to give the home crowd something to cheer, decided the time was right to play Oquendo at catcher.
Move over, Tony
In the seventh, Oquendo moved from shortstop to catcher, replacing starter Tony Pena, the National League leader among catchers in fielding percentage in 1988.
First up for New York with Oquendo behind the plate was Gary Carter, the Mets’ 1988 all-star catcher.
“I told (Carter), ‘Don’t foul it off. I don’t want to get hit,’ ” Oquendo said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Facing left-handed reliever Steve Peters, Carter obliged, flying out.
Tim Teufel was the next batter. With the count 3-and-1, Peters shook off Oquendo’s sign. Before he could offer another, Peters went into his wind.
“I told Teufel, ‘Get ready. I don’t know what’s coming,’ ” Oquendo told St. Louis writer Rick Hummel. “He was laughing. That’s why he fouled the pitch off.”
On the next pitch, a 3-and-2 curve called by Oquendo, Teufel swung and missed, striking out.
Easy as 1,2,3
Kevin Elster then lined out to third. It was the only one of the nine innings that the Mets were retired in order.
His goal accomplished, Herzog lifted Oquendo and replaced him with catcher Tom Pagnozzi in the eighth.
“It was fun,” Oquendo said. “I felt pretty good. I didn’t feel nervous at all.”
Said Peters to the Associated Press: “He called a good game … He’s got a nice, low target.” Boxscore
In 1988, Oquendo appeared in 69 games at second base, 47 at third base, 17 at shortstop, 16 at first base, nine in right field, four in center field, two in left field, one at catcher and one as a pitcher.
On May 14, 1988, Oquendo pitched four innings of relief against the Braves at St. Louis. Oquendo held Atlanta scoreless for three innings before the Braves scored twice in the 19th inning for a 7-5 victory. Boxscore
Oquendo took the loss, becoming the first non-pitcher to get a decision in a major-league game since the Yankees’ Rocky Colavito in 1968. Boxscore
Previously: Whiteyball: Willie McGee at shortstop; Ricky Horton in right
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