Oscar Acosta
Oscar Carlos Acosta
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 175 lb.
- School Lubbock Christian College
- High School Elida High School
- Born March 21, 1957 in Portales, NM USA
- Died April 19, 2006 in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, D.R.
Biographical Information[edit]
Oscar Acosta played in the minors from 1978 to 1982. He debuted with the Helena Phillies, going 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in five appearances. Acosta had injured his arm in college and was under orders to throw nothing but fastballs his first season [1]. In 1979, he pitched for the Peninsula Pilots and had a career year, with a 10-7, 3.04 season. He finished 9th in the Carolina League in ERA. Returning to Peninsula in 1980, he only pitched in 9 games, going 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA, 2 saves and a shutout. He resurfaced in the 1982 Mexican League, posting a 0-3, 6.75 record for the Plataneros de Tabasco to complete his career.
Acosta began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Texas Tech University in 1985. He moved to the pro ranks as a coach in the Texas Rangers organization with the Butte Copper Kings in 1988. He coached the Gastonia Rangers (1989), GCL Rangers (1990, 1993), Tulsa Drillers (1991) and Oklahoma City 89ers (1992). Moving to the Chicago Cubs' organization, he then coached the Daytona Cubs (1994) and GCL Cubs (1995). Next he coached the Columbus Clippers (1996-1998) for the New York Yankees. He managed the Lansing Lugnuts in the Midwest League in 1999.
Acosta was pitching coach of the Chicago Cubs in 2000 and 2001 and the Texas Rangers in 2002. In 2004, he became manager of the GCL Yankees and Latin American Coordinator, positions he held when he was killed in a car accident in 2006.
During his big league coaching career, Acosta primarily wore number 8.
His son, Ryan Acosta, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 2007 amateur draft, reaching AAA in 2011.
Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record[edit]
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Lansing Lugnuts | Midwest League | 73-67 | 6th | Chicago Cubs | Lost in 2nd round |
| 2004 | GCL Yankees | Gulf Coast League | 36-23 | 1st | New York Yankees | League Champs |
| 2005 | GCL Yankees | Gulf Coast League | 33-20 | 2nd | New York Yankees | League Champs |
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