Dámaso Blanco

Dámaso Blanco Caripe (born December 11, 1941[1] in Curiepe, Miranda State, Venezuela), is a former Major League Baseball third baseman/shortstop and right-handed batter who played for the San Francisco Giants (1972–74).[2] In 1977, at the age of 36, he retired from baseball and began serving as a scout for the Cincinnati Reds for a short period of time. On his return to Venezuela, he began a successful career as commentator in the media.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Blanco and the second or maternal family name is Caripe.
Dámaso Blanco
Third baseman
Born: (1941-12-11) December 11, 1941
Curiepe, Venezuela
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 26, 1972, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
June 2, 1974, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
Batting average.212
Home runs0
Runs batted in2
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Venezuela
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1959 Chicago Team

Life and career

Blanco was the classic example of the fine fielder with a light bat. He was a decent hitter in the minors, where his batting and on-base averages were both quite respectable. He was 7-for-20 (.350) in 1972 (his first two hits coming in the same game, against Tom Phoebus of the Chicago Cubs on June 11),[3] but was 0-for-15 in his last times at bat, 0-for-13 in limited opportunities the next two seasons.

In parts of three seasons as a backup with the Giants, Blanco hit .212 (7-for-33) with two runs batted in, nine runs, one double and 3 stolen bases in 72 games. In the field he handled 46 of 48 total chances successfully (.958) and participated in 3 double plays.

He resumed his career in the Venezuela League, hitting .268 (704-for-2623) with 198 RBI, 289 runs, 72 doubles, 28 triples, 0 home run and 70 steals in 754 games (1960–77).

After retiring at age 36, Blanco scouted briefly for the Cincinnati Reds before beginning a successful career as a journalist and baseball broadcaster in his native Venezuela.

In 2014, Blanco gained induction in the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. He was inducted as well in the Hall in 2015, when the entire 1959 Pan American Games champion team was honored.

See also

References
  1. ESPN. "Dámaso Blanco". ESPN.com. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  2. Baseball Reference. "Dámaso Blanco". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  3. L Tusa C., Alfonso. "Damaso Blanco". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
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