Francisco Sánchez (minors01)

Francisco Sánchez de León (Panchón)

Born November 7, 1935 in Coclé Province Panama

BR register page

Biographical Information

Francisco Sánchez had a brief pro career before starring in Ecuador.

Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates at age 18, he was 0-1 for the 1955 Billings Mustangs, his only game as a pro. He obtained Ecuadorian citizenship in 1960. He would it 51 homers for Reed and Emelec in his career in Ecuador, a record until 2002, and also pitched sometimes. His teams won titles in 1960, 1961 and 1967.

He also played for the Ecuadorian national team, in the 1963 South American Championship, 1966 South American Championship and 1970 Bolivarian Games. He helped them win their only two South American Championships (through 2019); he was not the only Panamanian on the squads, which included Raúl 'Látigo' Gutiérrez, Ricardo ‘Chico’ Rodríguez, July Trottman, Pedro Fuentes and Manuel ‘Mikemo’ Pérez.