Ossie Álvarez

Oswaldo Álvarez González

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 165 lb.

• Debut April 19, 1958
• Final Game April 26, 1959
• Born October 19, 1933 in Bolondron, Matanzas, Cuba
• Died March 8, 2008 in Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico

BR page

Biographical Information

Ossie Álvarez debuted in the major leagues as an infielder for the Washington Senators in 1958. He appeared in 87 games, had 196 at bats and 41 hits for a .209 average. He was traded twice before the start of the 1959 season, first on October 27th to the Cleveland Indians for veteran utility man Jay Porter, then on November 20th he was part of a major trade involving the Indians and the Detroit Tigers in which he and two top pitchers, Don Mossi and Ray Narleski, were sent to Detroit for Billy Martin and Al Cicotte. Ossie appeared in 8 games for the Tigers, getting one hit in two at-bats for his only other major league experience.

Álvarez started his minor league baseball career in 1952 with the Class C Big Spring Broncs. Ossie performed in eight leagues with 14 teams before getting his chance in the major leagues. His best season in the minors came in 1957 in the Southwestern League with the Midland Indians / Lamesa Indians. He appeared in 119 games, had 473 at bats with 171 hits for a .362 batting average. He tried his hand at pitching one game in 1956 with the Hobbs Sports and went 0-1. The 5' 10", 165 pound infielder was primarily known for his speed, having twice led baseball's minor leagues in stolen bases and, after his major league retirement, leading the Mexican League in stolen bases with 27 at age 30 in 1964. He retired from active playing after two games with the Jalisco Charros in 1966.

Ossie went to the Mexican Center League as manager for the Fresnillo Mineros in 1966. The team finished at 61-76 and Ossie was replaced by Marco Manzo. He also managed the Mexican League Durango Alacranes in 1974 and the Mexico City Tigres in both 1990 and 1991. Álvarez remained in baseball as a Latin American scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates for many years before joining the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks in the same capacity in 1996. He died in Guadalajara, Mexico on March 8, 2008.

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Playoffs	Notes
1966	Fresnillo Mineros	Mexican Center League		--	--	replaced by Marco Manzo on April 5
1972	Charros de Jalisco	Mexican League		3rd		replaced Cananea Reyes
1973	Zacatecas Tuzos	Mexican Center League	49-19	1st	League Champs
1974	Durango Alacranes	Mexican Center League	52-23	1st	League Champs
1976	Durango Alacranes	Mexican League		--	--	replaced Al Gallagher / replaced by Jorge Fitch
1977	Jalisco (MCL)	Mexican Center League	32-35	6th
1990	Tigres de México	Mexican League	73-50	2nd	Lost in 1st round
1991	Tigres de México	Mexican League	62-56	8th
1994	Tigres de México	Mexican League		--	--	replaced Gerardo Gutierrez / replaced by Porfirio Mendoza

Sources

Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball: Third Edition
baseball-reference.com
SABR MILB Database:Alvarez page