Jose Diaz (minors01)

Jose Diaz (Chico)

• Bats Right, Throws Right

Jose Diaz hit .339/~.442/.492 with 10 HR and 83 RBI for the 1953 Oshkosh Giants, finishing sixth in the Wisconsin State League in batting average and second in doubles (37). In 1957, he batted .311/~.363/.455 for the Pensacola Dons and led the Alabama-Florida League with 32 doubles; he was third in average. Two years later, he hit just .171 with 3 homers and 23 RBI for the Fort Walton Beach Jets.

Personal Remembrance

Jose "Chico" Diaz was a third baseman on the 1953 Class D Oshkosh Giants of the Wisconsin State League. He was from the Dominican Republic, and was about 21 years old. I remember him as a good hitter, with some power. He seemed to be physically strong though of small to average stature. (I was a pitcher on the Oshkosh team). I remember hearing that Chico had also been a boxer previously in his home country. Chico had a quick temper, as I remember, but got over it quickly. I considered him a good teammate and pretty dependable at third base. I believe he hit a bit over 300 in Oshkosh and then moved on to a higher classification in 1954, but I do not know what team(s) he played for after Oshkosh.

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Submitted by Bill O'Donnell