David Green – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

David Green was a promising outfielder and first baseman from Nicaragua. He spent six seasons in Major League Baseball before his career ended in 1987.

Born David Alejandro Green Casaya in Managua, Nicaragua, on December 4, 1960, he broke new ground for his country. He became one of the first Nicaraguan players to reach the majors when he debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981.

Green’s MLB career ran from 1981 to 1987. He played mostly for the St. Louis Cardinals and had a short stint with the San Francisco Giants, appearing in 489 games and batting .268. His path to the majors started when Milwaukee Brewers scout Ray Poitevint spotted him playing for the Nicaraguan national team in 1978. That led to a big trade, sending him to St. Louis in a deal that included future Hall of Famers Ted Simmons and Rollie Fingers.

Green showed off his athleticism and earned praise as a top prospect. He helped the Cardinals during their 1982 World Series run and had flashes of brilliance, but personal struggles, especially with alcohol, held him back. Those struggles ultimately ended his professional career at just 26.

Early Life and Family Background

David Alejandro Green Casaya grew up in a baseball family in Managua, Nicaragua. His father, Eduardo Green Sinclair, was a legendary player nicknamed “The Black Gazelle.” The family tree included several accomplished athletes in other sports, too.

Birth and Childhood in Managua, Nicaragua

David was born in Managua, Nicaragua on December 4, 1960. He was one of ten kids raised by Eduardo Green Sinclair and Bertha Casaya.

His mother Bertha, from Managua, was of Indian and Spanish descent. Even though Eduardo came from Nicaragua’s Atlantic coast and had English roots, the family mostly spoke Spanish at home.

Athletic achievement seemed almost expected in the Green household. David’s sisters Isabel and Carlota became two of the best women’s basketball players in Nicaragua’s history. His brothers were Eduardo Jr., Alfredo, Leonardo, and Enrique. His other sisters were Sonia, Milena, and Geovanna.

The Green name carried serious weight in Nicaraguan sports. That probably created both opportunities and a fair bit of pressure for David as he started to find his own way.

The Green Family and Baseball Legacy

Eduardo Green Sinclair, called “The Black Gazelle,” stood out as one of Nicaragua’s greatest baseball players. He grew up in Bluefields and played from the early 1940s through the early 1960s.

Eduardo starred as an outfielder for the Cinco Estrellas club in Managua. That team dominated, winning nine national championships between 1944 and 1954. He also represented Nicaragua on the national amateur team.

David’s older brother, Eduardo Jr., played baseball too but didn’t have the same natural hitting ability. Broadcaster Tito Rondón once said, “He had the figure and the mechanics, he just couldn’t hit a lick.”

The family’s athletic genes didn’t stop at baseball. David himself set a Nicaraguan national record in the long jump, leaping 7.12 meters at the 1977 Central American Games in El Salvador.

Influence of Eduardo Green and ‘The Black Gazelle’

Eduardo Green shaped David’s development with a tough, demanding approach. People called him “Cabo” (corporal) because of his army rank, and he brought that same discipline to coaching.

At first, Eduardo focused on Eduardo Jr., hoping he’d carry on the family tradition. It took a while before he realized David had the real talent.

Once Eduardo saw David’s potential, he pushed him hard. Tito Rondón remembered Eduardo throwing batting practice to 15-year-old David at nearly 80 mph. If David struggled, his father would yell at him in English-accented Spanish.

Eduardo’s predictions about David turned out to be spot on. In 1978, he told Rondón that David would outdo him in hitting, throwing, and fielding, but wouldn’t match his speed on the bases. That proved true throughout David’s career.

Path to Major League Baseball

David Green’s journey from Nicaragua to the big leagues started with standout performances for his national team. His amateur success caught the eye of Milwaukee Brewers scouts. He signed a pro contract in 1978 and steadily moved up through the minors.

Amateur Career and Nicaraguan National Team

Green first got international attention playing for Nicaragua in amateur competitions in the late 1970s. His best showing came at the 1978 Amateur World Series, where he batted .310 and slugged .452 across 10 games.

He scored 9 runs in the tournament. On the basepaths, he struggled a bit, managing just 3 steals in 6 tries.

Green didn’t limit himself to baseball. He picked up a Silver Medal at the 1978 Central American and Caribbean Games, cementing his reputation as one of Nicaragua’s top prospects.

Those international games gave Green crucial experience against tough competition. People started comparing his raw talent to Hall of Famers like Roberto Clemente.

Scouting and Signing with Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers spotted Green during their scouting trips in Central America. They signed him as an amateur free agent in 1978, just two years after Dennis Martinez became the first Nicaraguan to reach the majors.

Brewers scouts liked Green’s size, speed, and bat. At 6’3″ and 170 pounds, he looked like the kind of outfielder teams dream about.

The Brewers saw him as a can’t-miss prospect with superstar upside. His signing was part of MLB’s growing interest in Latin American talent in the late ’70s.

Some folks questioned Green’s real age during his career. Officially, he was born in 1960, but there was some talk that he might have actually been born in 1959.

Minor League Progression in the United States

Green started his pro career in the Brewers’ minor league system after signing in 1978. He climbed through different levels, learning to adjust to American baseball and culture.

His best minor league season came in 1982 with the Louisville Redbirds, after the Cardinals traded for him. There, he hit .345 and slugged .575 at Triple-A.

The Cardinals’ coaches worked with him on his hitting and defense. That success in Louisville earned him a call-up to the majors later that year.

Even after his MLB debut, Green kept playing in the minors. He returned to Louisville in 1987, batting .356 in 50 games before getting his last shot with the Cardinals.

Major League Career Overview

David Green played six seasons in the majors from 1981 to 1987, mostly with the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League. He won a World Series with them in 1982 and bounced around a bit before wrapping up his MLB career.

St. Louis Cardinals: First Years

Green made his MLB debut on September 4, 1981, with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was just 20 and became the fourth Nicaragua-born player to make it to the majors, and the first in the National League.

The Cardinals got him from the Brewers in a seven-player trade that included Ted Simmons and Rollie Fingers. Green quickly found a spot in the lineup.

In 1982, Green split time between the Cardinals and their Triple-A team in Louisville. He hit .345 and slugged .575 in the minors.

He played in all seven games of the 1982 World Series, helping the Cardinals win their first championship since 1967. That was really the high point of his early career.

Green stuck with the Cardinals through 1983 and 1984, settling in as a regular outfielder and first baseman. In 1984, he hit 15 home runs, almost half of his career total of 31.

San Francisco Giants and Trades

The Cardinals traded Green to the San Francisco Giants in February 1985 as part of the Jack Clark deal. That trade meant Green missed out on the Cardinals’ 1985 pennant run.

Green played the 1985 season with the Giants in the NL West. The new setting didn’t really spark much improvement in his hitting.

After 1985, the Giants traded him back to the Brewers. But he never played for Milwaukee and instead headed to Mexico.

In 1986, Green played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes in Japan. That move kept him away from MLB for the whole season.

All those trades and the move overseas really threw off Green’s career momentum. He couldn’t get steady playing time or find his groove at the plate.

Return to the Cardinals and Retirement

Green came back to the Cardinals organization in 1987 for his last MLB season. He spent most of the year with Louisville, hitting .356 in 50 games.

The Cardinals called him up for 14 games that season. His last MLB game came on October 4, 1987, against the New York Mets.

Green got one hit in three at-bats in his final appearance. He didn’t play in the Cardinals’ postseason that year.

He finished up his MLB career with a .268 average, 31 homers, and 180 RBIs in 489 games. He played 383 of those games with the Cardinals.

After leaving MLB, Green kept playing in the minors through 1991. He never made it back to the big leagues, though he kept trying.

World Series and Peak Performances

Green hit the peak of his career during the 1982 season, when he helped the Cardinals win the World Series. He came through with some clutch performances in big postseason moments, showing why people thought so highly of him.

1982 World Series Championship

David Green played a key role in the Cardinals’ 1982 World Series win over the Milwaukee Brewers. That championship was the highlight of his career and showed the organization’s faith in him wasn’t misplaced.

Green batted .200 with 2 hits in 7 World Series games. The numbers weren’t flashy, but he came through when the team needed him most.

His best game came in Game 5 against Brewers pitcher Mike Caldwell. That day, Green had two hits, including a double and a triple that helped keep the Cardinals in the series.

The title seemed to justify the Cardinals’ decision to trade Hall of Famers Ted Simmons and Rollie Fingers to get Green. Manager Whitey Herzog took a gamble on the young outfielder, and it paid off with a championship.

Postseason Highlights and Key Moments

Green’s postseason contributions went beyond the World Series. He had a huge moment in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves.

He led off the ninth with a single that started the game-winning rally. After advancing on a bunt, he scored the winning run on Ken Oberkfell’s clutch hit.

That performance helped the Cardinals get past the Braves and into the World Series. Green’s knack for getting on base and creating runs proved crucial during their title run.

He managed all this while dealing with a hamstring injury that cost him his starting center field job to Willie McGee. Even so, Green stayed ready and made an impact when he got the chance.

International and Later Professional Play

After his MLB days ended in 1987, Green kept playing professional baseball in Japan and Mexico. He spent a season with the Kintetsu Buffaloes in Japan and played several years in Mexican leagues.

Season with Kintetsu Buffaloes in Japan

Green joined the Kintetsu Buffaloes in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league in 1986. After a trade back to the Brewers in 1985, he decided to play overseas instead.

Playing in Japan marked a big shift for Green. The Buffaloes gave him a chance to keep his career going in a tough international league.

Japanese baseball brought its own style and culture. The league was known for discipline and strong fundamentals, giving Green a new challenge.

Career in Mexican Baseball Leagues

Green played several seasons in Mexico’s professional leagues. After his trade back to the Brewers in 1985, he chose to play in Mexico rather than stay in the Milwaukee organization.

The Mexican leagues gave Green steady work. Lots of former MLB players headed there to keep playing at a high level.

His time in Mexico let him stay in the game and make a living from baseball. Plenty of American players found success in those leagues during the ’80s and ’90s.

Post-MLB Minor League and Other Teams

Green went back to minor league baseball in 1987 with the Louisville Redbirds, the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate. He hit .356 in 50 games and earned a call-up to the Cardinals for 14 games late in the season.

He kept playing in the minors through 1991, pushing his professional career well past his time in the majors. You could say this period really showed how determined he was to keep playing, even if he couldn’t lock down a permanent big league spot.

While he played for Louisville, Green proved he still had real baseball skills. That strong batting average? It showed he could still compete at a high level.

Performance, Honors, and Legacy

David Green’s six-year MLB career had flashes of the talent that made him such a highly touted prospect. He finished with a .268 career batting average, 31 home runs, and 180 RBIs. Those are solid numbers, and his defensive versatility and speed got him plenty of attention as a rising star, at least before personal struggles slowed him down.

Batting Statistics and Fielding Roles

Green put up respectable offensive numbers during his MLB run from 1981 to 1987. Over 489 games, he batted .268, hit 31 home runs, and drove in 180 runs.

His best years came with St. Louis in 1982 and 1983. In ’82, he hit .283 in 76 games and looked like he might become a regular. The next year, he batted .284 and stole 34 bases, which really showed off the speed that had scouts comparing him to some of the game’s greats.

Green brought value with his defensive versatility too. He played both outfield and first base. At 6’3″ with a strong arm, he fit right in as an outfielder, covering ground and making tough throws look easy.

The Cardinals moved him around as needed, using his flexibility to fill gaps. Honestly, that adaptability helped him stick around, even when his bat cooled off in later years.

Accolades, Comparisons, and Reputation

Baseball experts gave Green a lot of credit for his raw talent. Scout Ray Poitevint once called him “the most talented prospect, physically and mentally” he had seen in 22 years.

Some of the big comparisons:

• Willie Mays (physical abilities)
• Roberto Clemente (overall talent)
• Vladimir Guerrero (hitting potential)
• André Dawson (athleticism)

People called him a five-tool player because he could hit, hit for power, run, field, and throw. That 1980 Eastern League All-Star nod really highlighted his minor league dominance.

Green wasn’t just a baseball guy, either. He actually set a Nicaraguan national record in the long jump—23 feet, 4¼ inches—at the 1977 Central American Games.

Still, personal problems kept him from reaching his full potential. His drinking issues, unfortunately, became well-known and definitely limited his career.

Influence on Nicaraguan Baseball

Green broke barriers as a Nicaraguan player in Major League Baseball. He became the fourth MLB player from Nicaragua and the first to play for both the National League and specifically for the Cardinals and Giants.

His success opened doors for future Nicaraguan players. He followed the path set by Dennis Martinez, who paved the way for Central American players in the ’70s. Green’s visibility helped MLB scouts notice Nicaraguan baseball talent.

The Green family brought a legacy of their own. His father, Eduardo Green Sinclair, was considered one of Nicaragua’s best ever, known as “La Gacela Negra” (The Black Gazelle).

David’s 1978 season in Nicaragua, when he hit .398 with 20 home runs and had a 30-game hitting streak, set a high bar for amateur players. His 156 hits from that year? Still a single-season record.

He also played in international competitions, like the 1978 Central American and Caribbean Games, where Nicaragua took home silver. That helped put Nicaraguan baseball on the map globally.

Personal Life, Later Years, and Death

David Green faced a lot of personal challenges during his career, from family struggles in Nicaragua to his own battle with alcoholism. After he retired from baseball in 1991, he lived a quieter life in St. Louis until he passed away in 2022 from respiratory failure.

Family, Challenges, and Off-Field Events

Green’s personal life had its share of tragedy and political turmoil back home. His father Eduardo, a former player on Nicaragua’s National Team, died in 1980 and never saw David make it to the majors.

The Nicaraguan government made things tough for Green’s family because of his fame. His brother Eduardo Jr. was jailed for writing a bad check, and Green worried about corruption. “I’ve got a lawyer working on it and hopefully, it will be only six months,” Green said. “But a lot of people who have been thrown into jail get killed and nobody knows about it.”

Green saved up to bring his mother Bertha and the rest of his family to the United States. His mother and 19-year-old brother Enrique finally made it to St. Louis in September 1983. Sadly, Bertha died there in early 1984 while David played winter ball in Mexico.

During the 1984 season, Green struggled with alcoholism. The team put him on the disabled list and sent him to a treatment facility for three weeks. Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog talked about Green’s struggles, saying he “hasn’t been reacting well on grounders, and he hasn’t been hitting at all.”

Legal Issues and Involvement in Notable Incidents

Records show Green didn’t face legal issues or get involved in criminal incidents during or after his career. His main struggle was with alcoholism, and the team treated it as a medical issue, not a legal one.

The Cardinals’ medical staff and rehab programs handled his substance abuse problems. They put him on the disabled list for treatment and brought him back after he finished the program.

His drinking continued to affect his performance with the San Francisco Giants in 1985. Manager Jim Davenport said Green was drinking again, though he never actually saw him drunk.

Retirement Life and Passing

After his last major league game in 1987, Green kept playing ball in the minors and even took his talents overseas. He spent a while with teams down in Mexico, and then he played for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes in Japan.

Green called it quits on professional baseball in 1991, retiring at just 30. He made his home in St. Louis, the city where he’d spent most of his big league career with the Cardinals.

In his later years, Green mostly stayed out of the spotlight. He and his wife, Georgia, kept things private, though she later shared some details about his final days.

On January 25, 2022, Green died at Christian Northeast Hospital in St. Louis. He was 61.

His wife said he suffered from respiratory failure after choking about a week before his death. During the transfer to the hospital, he had two heart attacks.

Green’s passing closed the chapter on a life that once seemed full of potential, though it never quite reached the heights folks had hoped for.