Winston Enriquillo Llenas Dávila (a.k.a. Chilote) (born September 23, 1943) is a former Major League Baseball infielder/outfielder who played for the California Angels from 1968 to 1969, and again from 1972 to 1975. He also played one season in Japan for the Taiheiyo Club Lions in 1976.
| Winston Llenas | |
|---|---|
| Utility player | |
| Born: September 23, 1943 Santiago, Dominican Republic | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 15, 1968, for the California Angels | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 14, 1975, for the California Angels | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .230 |
| Home runs | 3 |
| Runs batted in | 61 |
| NPB statistics | |
| Batting average | .227 |
| Home runs | 6 |
| Runs batted in | 19 |
| Teams | |
| Member of the Caribbean | |
 Baseball Hall of Fame | |
| Induction | 2008 |
Early life and family edit
Llenas was born to Rafael Antonio Llenas Díaz (the son of Enrique Llenas Domínguez and Mercedes Díaz Andreu) and Magda Aracelis Dávila; he had 4 brothers and 5 sisters.[1] Winston’s paternal grandparents had Catalan roots.[2][3]
Career edit
Llenas signed with the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent before the 1961 season, then was released by them on June 16, 1962. He had played in 153 games for the A's organization in the Sophomore League and the Florida State League, batting .232 and committing 60 errors. About 5+1⁄2 months later, at age 19, he signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Angels. (December 2, 1962)
As Llenas grew older, he became a solid minor league hitter. He made his major league debut on August 15, 1968 against the Washington Senators at Anaheim Stadium. He started at third base, batted sixth in the lineup, and went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in a 3–1 win over starting pitcher Frank Bertaina. Typically, he made a throwing error on the first ground ball hit to him.
His best season was 1973, when he led the American League in pinch-hits (16) and pinch-hit at-bats (56). He also had career highs in games played (78), batting average (.269), and runs batted in (25). He was used quite often as a pinch-hitter throughout his MLB career. The most games he started at any one position was at third base. His best position, however, was second base, where he handled 111 total chances without making a single error.
Career totals for 300 games include a .230 batting average (122-for-531), 3 HR, 61 RBI, and 50 runs scored.
In the Dominican Winter League he has been a champion in 19 of the 20 crowns of Aguilas Cibaeñas as a player, manager, general manager and president.
In 2008, Llenas gained induction into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame as part of its 12th Class.
Facts edit
- Pinch-hitting for Nolan Ryan with two out in the bottom of the 9th against Milwaukee Brewers starter Earl Stephenson, banged a walk-off single to right to win the game, 1–0. {Anaheim Stadium—July 5, 1972}
- Hit a combined .323 (20-for-62) against All-Star pitchers Vida Blue, Jim Kaat, Sparky Lyle, Mel Stottlemyre, and Wilbur Wood
Minor league highlights edit
- Hit .346 for the Tri-City Angels of the Northwest League in 1964
- Tied for the Texas League lead in home runs with 25 while playing for the El Paso Sun Kings in 1966
- Led the Mexican League with 113 RBI while playing for the Charros de Jalisco in 1967
- Led the Pacific Coast League with 108 RBI while playing for the Hawaii Islanders in 1970
References edit
- ^ Irizarri, Evelyn (1 August 2012). "Winston (Chilote) Llenas: "Detrás de cada éxito hay más de 20 fracasos" - Periódico El Caribe - Mereces verdaderas respuestas".
- ^ Espinal Hernández, Edwin Rafael (24 May 2014). "Catalanes en República Dominicana en 1854 (1 de 4)" (in Spanish). Dominican Institute of Genealogy. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
- ^ González Hernández, Julio Amable (12 March 2005). "La Familia Llenas" (in Spanish). Dominican Institute of Genealogy. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
- 1975 Baseball Register published by The Sporting News
External links edit
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Winston Llenas - Baseball Biography
- The Baseball Archive (Mexican League franchises 1949–1981)