Frank Sands

Franklyn Sands

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight: 165 lb.

• Born December 2, 1948 in Nassau, Bahamas

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Local journalist Fred Sturrup viewed Frank Sands as one of the three best catchers in the history of the Bahamas, along with Ed Moxey and Sydney Outten. He originally signed as a 17-year-old with the Houston Astros in 1966, playing 53 games in the Northern League (low Class A) and six more at Cocoa (regular Class A). He batted .236 overall. During his first year as a pro, Sands handled five future big-league pitchers for Bismarck-Mandan: Tom Griffin, Roric Harrison, Wayne Twitchell, Bob Watkins, and Scipio Spinks. In 2012, Spinks said, "He was a good friend and a helluva catcher."

The Minnesota Twins organization then drafted Sands and jumped him all the way up to Triple A for 1967. He got into 46 games as a backup to Cuban veteran Hank Izquierdo, batting .255. In 1968, the Twins moved him down to the Class A Carolina League so he could develop as a full-time player. Although he hit just .212 in 122 games, he had nine homers and gained recognition as a good receiver with a "whip-like" arm.

Then a freak accident destroyed his career. On October 6, in the Florida Instructional League, Sands was warming up pitcher Tom Hall. Hall bounced a breaking ball in the dirt, and it caromed up and off Sands' mitt into his cheekbone. A sliver of bone punctured his eye from the inside. Sands knew immediately that he had lost the eye. Scipio Spinks observed, "After his accident, it was mandatory for catchers to wear a mask while warming up pitchers."

Frank spent four weeks in the hospital, and as soon as he got out, the first thing he wanted to do was put on his uniform and get out for batting practice. He was determined to come back, despite the obstacle he faced in batting with impaired depth perception. Twins owner Calvin Griffith liked the young man very much and gave him every opportunity. In fact, Griffith said that Sands would have a job for life with the organization if he wanted it.

Sands came to spring training in 1969 – as a pitcher – and he was reassigned to the minors early on, since it was apparent that his disability was too much to overcome. Still, he got the opportunity to pitch in the minors. He hurled four innings in three games for Orlando (Class A) but had to abandon that effort too because he broke his arm while delivering a pitch. Nonetheless, that fall the Florida Major League Baseball Scouts Association named him the Most Courageous Player of 1969.

It's impossible to tell whether Sands would have made the majors, though Fred Sturrup firmly believed he had the stuff. Frank was still just 20 when his pro career ended, and he was still maturing as a player. Good defensive catchers have always been in demand.

Sands was still able to play for several years as a catcher in the Bahamas Baseball Association.

References

• "Sands Has One Eye, Fighting Heart", The Sporting News, March 29, 1969, p. 7.
• Barry, David: "A Profile In Baseball Courage: Frank Sands And His Dream", St. Petersburg Times, April 5, 1969 [1]
• Richman, Milton: "Twins' Sands Has Big League Attitude", United Press International, March 15, 1969 [2]
• Sturrup, Fred: "Frankie Sands missed Major League status by a hair", Freeport News, April 19, 2010 [3]