Onix Concepción

Onix Cardona Concepción Cardona

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 6", Weight 180 lb.

• Debut August 30, 1980
• Final Game April 7, 1987
• Born October 5, 1957 in Dorado, P.R.

BR page

Biographical Information

Onix Concepción played seven big league seasons, almost exclusively with the Kansas City Royals. He is the cousin of minor league pitcher Orlando Lind and big leaguer Jose Lind. His nephew Jack López has played in the minors.

Debuting at the tail end of the 1980 season, Onix collected his first big league hit, a pinch single off Andy Hassler on September 10, 1980. He played in the World Series as a pinch-runner, kicking around in brief bursts the next few seasons before succeeding U.L. Washington as K.C.'s regular shortstop in 1984. He lost the job late in the 1985 season, hitting only .204 following a .284 season, as the Royals were headed to their second consecutive division title. Buddy Biancalana, who took over at shortstop, was considered a better fielder and went on to become an unlikely hero in the Royals win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Concepción appeared exclusively as a pinch runner, scoring the game tying run in the infamous Game 6. He played one final game in 1987, belting a pinch single off Jesse Orosco for the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 7.

Notable Achievement

• Won a World Series with the Kansas City Royals in 1985