Charlie Sands

Charles Duane Sands

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 215 lb.
• School Morehead State University
• High School Newport News High School
• Debut June 21, 1967
• Final Game May 8, 1975
• Born December 17, 1947 in Newport News, VA USA
• Died August 22, 2016 in Naples, FL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Charlie Sands graduated from Newport News High School in Newport News, VA. An example of a player having his career destroyed by being a Rule V Draft pick, he was drafted by the New York Yankees from the Baltimore Orioles system in the 1966 draft after only one year of class A ball. He sat on the Yankees bench the entire year of 1967 and only pinch hit once the entire season, striking out. He got publicity in his first year for catching the entirety of the (then) longest game in pro baseball history, a 29-inning affair that began on June 14, 1966 and lasted until the early hours of the next day. His career was spent almost entirely as a third string catcher, a position no longer in existence in major league baseball.

Led the Dominican Winter League in Home Runs during the 1971-1972 season while playing for Aguilas Cibaenas.

He played eight years in the minors, mostly in the International League and Pacific Coast League. In 1973 with the Salt Lake City Angels he hit .302 with 22 home runs. In 1976 he had 18 home runs in 85 games with the Tucson Toros.

Notable Achievement

• Won a World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1971