Minnie Mendoza

Cristobal Rigoberto Mendoza Carreras

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.

• Debut April 9, 1970
• Final Game June 7, 1970
• Born December 3, 1934 in Ceiba del Agua, Artemisa, Cuba
• Died September 9, 2024 in Murrells Inlet, SC USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Cristobal "Minnie" Mendoza was one of only four players born in Cuba to make his debut during the 1970s. The others were Oscar Zamora, Orlando Gonzalez, and Bobby Ramos. Mendoza played at least 20 years in pro ball, coming to the majors for sixteen games when he was 36 years old.

He appeared with the Minnesota Twins in 1970, a team which won 98 games and a division title. Although a "rookie", he was the oldest man on the squad and one of the ten oldest in the American League. In the minors, he spent ten seasons playing for the Charlotte Hornets.

Mendoza managed the 1974-1975 Indios de Ciudad Juarez, 1981 Miami Orioles and 1992 Burlington (NC) Indians. He was the Baltimore Orioles first base coach in 1988. He also managed in the Liga Colombiana de Béisbol Profesional.

In 2007-2008 (at least), Mendoza was the Cleveland Indians' Latin American field coordinator.

Year-By-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs
1974	Ciudad Juarez Indians	Mexican League	60-78	13th	none
1975	Ciudad Juarez Indians	Mexican League	58-80	14th	none
1981	Miami Orioles	Florida State League	44-92	10th	Baltimore Orioles
1992	Burlington Indians	Appalachian League	35-31	3rd	Cleveland Indians