March 9: The Man With the Golden Gun is Born

The Main Event

Benito Santiago (born 1965) – Veteran catcher who played one season with the Phillies in 1996. Santiago was a former National League Rookie of the Year and five-time All-Star earlier in his career, and he provided experience behind the plate for Philadelphia late in his playing days.

Benito Santiago was one of the most recognizable catchers of his era, known for his powerful throwing arm, strong bat, and unusual one-knee catching stance that became his trademark behind the plate. Born March 9, 1965 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Santiago signed with the San Diego Padres as a teenager and quickly emerged as one of the top catching prospects in baseball.

He made his major league debut in 1986 and exploded onto the scene the following year. In 1987 he won the National League Rookie of the Year Award after batting .300 with 18 home runs and 79 RBIs. That season also featured one of the most remarkable streaks ever produced by a catcher. Santiago recorded a hit in 34 consecutive games, which at the time set the major league record for the longest hitting streak by a rookie. The streak drew national attention and cemented his reputation as a rising star.

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Santiago was one of the premier catchers in the game. He earned five All-Star selections and won three Gold Glove Awards with San Diego. His ability to control the running game became legendary. Runners knew they were taking a risk any time they tried to steal against him because of his quick release and strong, accurate arm, earning him the moniker of “The Man With the Golden Gun.”

Journeyman Years

After nearly a decade with the Padres, Santiago entered a long second phase of his career that saw him play for several teams. He spent time with the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants. His most memorable moment from this period came with San Francisco in 2002 when he helped the Giants reach the World Series. Santiago was 37 years old at the time and provided veteran leadership along with timely hitting during the postseason run.

Despite bouncing between teams, Santiago remained a respected veteran presence. Managers valued his ability to handle pitching staffs and guide younger pitchers through games. By the time he reached his late 30s, he had already built a résumé that included more than 2,000 hits and nearly two decades in the majors.

Time with the Philadelphia Phillies

Santiago joined the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent prior to the 1996 season. Santiago played in 136 games that season, hitting 30 home runs and driving in 85 while producing a line of: .264/.332/.503/.835. Santiago provided the Phillies with a veteran presence to work with the pitching staff and provide offensive punch to the lineup, and quickly became a respected presence in the clubhouse. Teammates often spoke about his baseball knowledge and his ability to help pitchers prepare for opposing hitters.

End of His Playing Career

Santiago’s stint with the Phillies ended after the 1996 season, when he again became a free agent and signed with Toronto.

When his career ended, Santiago had played 20 major league seasons. He finished with over 1,800 hits, hit 217 home runs, and a reputation as one of the most durable catchers of his generation. His distinctive crouch behind the plate, powerful arm, and long career made him a memorable figure in baseball throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s.

Philadelphia Baseball Events for March 9

• March 9, 1943 – The Phillies completed a trade with the Brooklyn Dodgers, sending second baseman Al Glossop and veteran outfielder Lloyd Waner to Brooklyn in exchange for first baseman Babe Dahlgren. The move reunited Lloyd Waner with his brother Paul Waner on the Dodgers, however, the pair didn’t actually become teammates until 1944 because Lloyd Waner temporarily retired to work in a defense plant during World War II.

MLB Events for March 9

• March 9, 1981 – The Chicago White Sox sign prized catcher Carlton Fisk. The future Hall of Fame receiver was declared a free agent in February after the Boston Red Sox failed to mail him a contract by the deadline imposed under the Basic Agreement. Fisk batted .289 with 18 home runs for the Red Sox in 1980.

ICYMI

• Philly Baseball News – Kemp, Reyes Homer for Phils
• PBN Extra Innings – The Sunday Seven: Disciplined Hitters and the ABS Challenge System (subscription req’d.)

Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for March 9

• Al Atkinson (born 1864) – Pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association in 1884 and again in 1886-1887. Went 42-36 in 82 starts with the A’s compiling a 4.36 ERA.
• Terry Mulholland (born 1963) – Left-handed pitcher who had two stints with the Phillies (1989–1993 and 1996). He was an All-Star in 1993 and threw a memorable no-hitter for Philadelphia on August 15, 1990 at Veterans Stadium.
• Koyie Hill (born 1979) – Catcher who spent the 2014 season in the Phillies organization, appearing in a handful of major league games for the club. Hill was known throughout his long career as a defensive-minded catcher and respected clubhouse veteran, playing primarily with the Chicago Cubs.

Hall of Famers Born on March 9

• Billy Southworth (born 1893) – Left-hand hitting outfielder who played 13 major league season with five different teams, but was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a manager. He managed 13 seasons – 7 with St. Louis and 6 with the Boston Braves – winning two World Series championships and an NL pennant with the Cardinals and adding an NL pennant with the Braves. Went 620-346 as a manager.
• Arky Vaughan (born 1912) – Voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1985, Vaughan played 14 seasons – 10 with Pittsburgh, four with Brooklyn – with 96 home runs, 926 RBI a .318/.406/.453/.859 slash line.

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