Rafael Batista Sánchez (November 12, 1945 – October 25, 2008) was a first baseman in Major League Baseball. He was born in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic. Batista died in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, at the age of 62.
Batista was signed by the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent before the 1965 season, and drafted by the Houston Astros from the Atlanta Braves in the 1967 minor league draft (November 28, 1967). He played for the Astros in 1973 and 1975.
During his two short stints with Houston, he got into a total of 22 games, mostly as a pinch hitter. He batted .280 (7–for–25) and was excellent in the field. In eight appearances at first base he recorded twenty-six putouts, one assist, no errors, and participated in one double play. In his one big league start (July 2, 1973 at the Astrodome) he went 0–for–4 against San Diego Padres starter and winner Clay Kirby. He later was acquired by the Cafeteros de Córdoba of the Mexican League before the 1976 season, and never again played in the Major Leagues.
George Edwin Haas (born May 26, 1935) is a former outfielder, coach, manager and scout in American Major League Baseball. Haas spent 14 years as a skipper in the farm system of the Atlanta Braves and replaced Joe Torre as Atlanta's manager after the 1984 season. His 1985 Braves squad went 50–71 (.413). With the Braves in fifth place in the National League West Division and 22 games out of the lead, Haas was fired on August 26, 1985, and succeeded by interim pilot Bobby Wine. His playing career in the Big Leagues spanned from 1957-60 for the Cubs and Milwaukee Braves
Offered is a very payroll check from the Braves Training camp in Waycross Georgia dated April 1, 1966 for $25 signed by Eddie Haas on the front and signed by Batista on the back (also Haas signed again on the back of the check).
Batista is a tough autograph due to his return to the Dominican after his playing days.
Item: 12811
|