Ángel Mangual – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ángel Mangual wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1976 after seven seasons as an outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics. People called him “Little Clemente.” Born in Puerto Rico on March 19, 1947, Mangual became a key role player during one of baseball’s most successful dynasties.

His career ran from 1969 to 1976, and he picked up three World Series championships with the Athletics between 1972 and 1974.

Mangual traveled from the baseball fields of Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico, all the way to the top of professional baseball. He really squeezed the most out of his opportunities.

He never actually became a full-time starter, but he made himself valuable as a versatile player who could help out in both the infield and outfield. His story gives you a peek into the unsung role players who helped create championship teams during baseball’s golden age.

The Puerto Rican outfielder finished with a career batting average of .245, 22 home runs, and 125 RBIs in 450 games. That only tells part of his story, though.

He made his mark with clutch performances in big moments, like when he hit a walk-off single in the 1972 World Series. When you look at Mangual’s career, you see how determination and teamwork fueled his success during one of baseball’s most competitive decades.

Early Life and Background

Ángel Luis Mangual grew up in a baseball-loving family in Puerto Rico in the mid-1940s. Baseball meant a lot to the island’s culture.

His family’s connections to professional baseball and Puerto Rico’s rich baseball tradition shaped his path to the majors.

Birthplace and Childhood in Puerto Rico

Ángel Luis Mangual was born on March 19, 1947, in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico. That small town on the island’s south coast was known for sugar cane.

Growing up in Puerto Rico in the 1950s, Mangual lived in a culture where baseball was everywhere. The island had already produced several major league players by that time.

Roberto Clemente was the national baseball hero when Mangual was a kid. Like a lot of Puerto Rican families, the Manguals idolized Clemente and worshipped baseball.

That environment made it easy for a young boy to start dreaming about baseball. For many, including Mangual, the sport was more than just entertainment—it was a possible path to success and recognition.

Family and Baseball Roots

Baseball ran deep in the Mangual family. His younger brother, José “Pepe” Mangual, also made it to the major leagues.

Pepe played six seasons in Major League Baseball from 1972 to 1977. He spent time with the Montreal Expos and New York Mets.

Their older cousin, José “Coco” Laboy, played in the majors too. So, professional baseball wasn’t just a dream in their household—it was something people actually achieved.

Key Family Members:

• José “Pepe” Mangual – Younger brother, MLB player (1972-1977)
• José “Coco” Laboy – Older cousin, MLB player

Ángel had role models and plenty of guidance at home. His family knew exactly what it took to make it to professional baseball.

Path to Professional Baseball

When Ángel Mangual was 19, Pittsburgh Pirates scout Francisco “Pancho” Coímbre noticed him in 1966. Coímbre was already a legendary Puerto Rican scout who had discovered Roberto Clemente.

The Pirates signed Mangual as an amateur free agent. That connection to Clemente made the signing even more meaningful.

Coímbre’s reputation for finding Puerto Rican talent made him a respected figure on the island. When he showed interest in Mangual, it validated the young player’s potential.

The signing capped off years of baseball development in Puerto Rico. Mangual soon left his hometown to chase his professional baseball dreams in the United States.

That was the start of what would become a seven-year major league career. The foundation he built in Puerto Rico stayed with him during his journey.

Professional MLB Career Overview

Ángel Mangual played seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1976. Fans called him “Little Clemente” as he put up a .245 batting average with 22 home runs and 125 RBIs.

He found championship success with the Oakland Athletics, winning three straight World Series titles from 1972 to 1974.

MLB Debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Mangual made his MLB debut on September 15, 1969, at age 22 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He came in as a pinch hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies and grounded out in his only plate appearance during a 4-3 loss.

He only played six games with Pittsburgh that year. He appeared as a defensive replacement in three games and pinch-hit in two others.

The Pirates sent Mangual back to the minors for the entire 1970 season. He was the last outfielder cut from spring training that year.

On October 20, 1970, Pittsburgh traded Mangual to the Oakland Athletics. He was the player to be named later in the deal that brought Mudcat Grant to the Pirates a month earlier.

Playing with the Oakland Athletics

Mangual spent six seasons with the Oakland Athletics from 1971 to 1976. He became part of their championship dynasty.

He batted .286 with 4 home runs and 30 RBIs in his first season. His most memorable moment came on July 9, 1971, when he hit a walk-off single in the 20th inning against the California Angels. That ended the longest scoreless game in American League history.

Mangual finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 1971, behind Chris Chambliss and Bill Parsons. Team owner Charlie Finley liked the walk-off hit so much that he offered to buy Mangual a $200 suit.

The outfielder won three consecutive World Series championships from 1972 to 1974. In Game 4 of the 1972 World Series, he delivered a walk-off single against the Cincinnati Reds in the bottom of the ninth inning.

His batting average slipped to .246 in 1972, and defensive struggles limited his playing time. Reggie Jackson ended up playing almost four times as many games at center field as Mangual that year.

Retirement from Baseball in 1976

Mangual’s final MLB season came in 1976, and his performance dropped off. He played just 8 games, batting .167 with only one RBI.

His last major league game was on June 20, 1976, at age 29. He never played in another MLB game after that.

He wrapped up his career with 450 games played over seven seasons and a .245 batting average. In total, he had 304 hits, 22 home runs, and 125 RBIs.

In a 2018 interview, Mangual spoke warmly about his Athletics teammates. He credited players like Reggie Jackson, Joe Rudi, and Ray Fosse for supporting him during his career.

Later, Mangual auctioned off his personal replica of the 1972 Commissioner’s Trophy in August 2010. Owner Charlie Finley had given a trophy to every Athletics player.

Key Achievements and Highlights

Ángel Mangual’s seven-year career brought several standout moments, including three World Series championships with the Oakland Athletics. He also earned recognition as one of the top rookies in 1971.

His most memorable moment came during the 1972 World Series with a clutch game-winning hit that helped Oakland secure its first championship in over 40 years.

Topps All-Star Rookie Honors

Mangual got noticed as one of baseball’s top newcomers after his strong 1971 season with the Oakland Athletics. He made the Topps All-Rookie team after batting .286 in 94 games.

He finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting and second in The Sporting News balloting for top rookie. Chris Chambliss of the Cleveland Indians won both awards.

Mangual’s strong showing as a bench player and part-time starter earned him that recognition. Against right-handed pitching, he batted .322 that year.

World Series Championships

Mangual played on three straight World Series championship teams with the Oakland Athletics from 1972 to 1974. Those wins made the A’s one of the dominant dynasties of the early 1970s.

The 1972 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds gave Oakland its first championship since the franchise was in Philadelphia in 1930. Mangual played a crucial role in that historic win.

He stayed on as a contributor during the 1973 and 1974 World Series championships. Even with limited playing time in later seasons, Mangual remained on the roster as Oakland completed its three-year championship run.

Historic 1972 World Series Game

Mangual’s biggest moment came in Game 4 of the 1972 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. With Oakland down 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth, he delivered a game-winning pinch-hit single off reliever Clay Carroll.

There were runners on first and third, and the infield played in. Mangual used an inside-out swing to push the ball past second baseman Joe Morgan for the win.

“When I hit the ball, the first thing that came to mind was that it was a double-play ball,” Mangual said after the game. “I wouldn’t even look at the ball. I just put my head down and prayed that it would go through.”

That game marked the first time in World Series history that a team got three pinch hits in one inning. The A’s went on to win the series in seven games.

Major Awards and Recognitions

In 1969, Mangual took home Eastern League Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors while playing for York. He led the league with 26 home runs and 102 RBIs in 133 games, finishing second in batting average at .320.

His minor league success earned him the nickname “Little Clemente” because people compared him to Puerto Rican superstar Roberto Clemente. Pittsburgh scout Francisco “Pancho” Coímbre, who also signed Clemente, discovered Mangual in 1966.

Mangual finished his major league career with a .245 batting average, 22 home runs, and 125 RBIs in 450 games. He played his last game on June 20, 1976, at age 29.

Statistical Performance and Playing Style

Angel Mangual’s seven-season MLB career from 1969 to 1976 featured modest offensive numbers and defensive versatility as an outfielder. At 5’10” and 180 pounds, he had the physical tools typical of players from baseball’s pre-steroid era.

Offensive Statistics and RBI Totals

Mangual put up a career batting average of .245 over 450 major league games. His offensive production stayed steady but never really took off during his years with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics.

Career Offensive Numbers:

• Batting Average: .245
• Home Runs: 22
• RBIs: 125
• Hits: 304
• Runs Scored: 122

His best offensive year came in 1971 with Oakland. He batted .286 with 4 home runs and 30 RBIs in his first full season with the A’s.

In 1972, his average dipped to .246 with 5 home runs and 32 RBIs. He reached his highest RBI numbers during his middle years with Oakland, helping the team during its championship runs.

Mangual’s offense dropped off by his final season. In 1976, he managed just a .167 batting average with only one RBI in 8 games.

Defensive Roles and Versatility

Mangual mostly played center field, but he ran into defensive struggles during his career. His fielding was shaky in key seasons with the Oakland Athletics.

In 1972, he committed 5 errors while playing center. That led to less playing time, and Reggie Jackson took over most of the center field duties.

Still, Mangual had his moments on defense. He often entered games as a defensive replacement or pinch-hitter, which showed his value as a utility player.

The Athletics used him in important situations, even if he wasn’t always starting. His defensive versatility helped the team during their three consecutive World Series championships from 1972 to 1974.

Physical Attributes and Athleticism

At 5’10” and 180 lb, Angel Mangual had the kind of build you’d expect from an MLB outfielder in his era. He batted and threw right-handed, which gave his approach a certain steadiness.

His frame fit well for a center fielder, but his athleticism wasn’t limitless. People called him “Little Clemente,” a nod to Roberto Clemente, who was a big deal in his family.

Mangual could move—his speed and agility really came through in high-pressure moments. That walk-off single he hit in a 20-inning game against the California Angels back in 1971? It showed he could handle the spotlight.

He kept himself in shape and stuck to his playing weight throughout his career. That kind of consistency let him help three World Series championship teams, even if his stats didn’t always jump off the page.

Personal Life and Legacy

Ángel Mangual’s story stretches beyond his time on the field, thanks to his family’s deep baseball roots and his place in Puerto Rican sports history. His bond with his brother Pepe Mangual built a baseball dynasty, and after baseball, he faced both tough times and moments of recognition for what he gave to the game.

Relationship with Pepe Mangual

Ángel and his younger brother José “Pepe” Mangual shared a rare connection as both made it to the major leagues in the 1970s.

Pepe followed Ángel’s path, playing six seasons in MLB from 1972 to 1977. He took the field for the Montreal Expos and New York Mets while Ángel was still with the Oakland Athletics.

The Mangual brothers grew up in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico, where baseball was more than just a pastime—it was a family thing. Their cousin José “Coco” Laboy also made it to the majors, so the Manguals became one of Puerto Rico’s most accomplished baseball families.

With their careers overlapping, Puerto Rican fans got to cheer for two Manguals in the big leagues at the same time. That meant a lot during baseball’s expansion years.

Life After Retirement

After he retired in 1976, Mangual mostly stepped away from the public eye. His post-baseball life brought some challenges and periods of quiet.

Later on, he ran into legal trouble when a federal indictment accused him of being “an intermediary between drug-buyers and sellers.” It’s really not clear from public records if he served any prison time.

In 2010, Mangual decided to auction off his personal 1972 World Series championship trophy. Charlie Finley, the A’s owner, had given those trophies to all the players after their big win.

Mangual died on February 16, 2021, at age 73. With his passing, another chapter closed for Puerto Rican baseball players who broke through in the 1970s.

Lasting Impact in Puerto Rican Baseball

Mangual’s career helped put Puerto Rico on the map as a baseball talent hotbed in the 1970s. He and his brother Pepe showed just how much the island could offer the game.

Fans called him “Little Clemente,” tying him to Roberto Clemente, Puerto Rico’s baseball legend. Sure, Mangual never reached Clemente’s level, but the nickname spoke to the respect he earned.

The Manguals built a baseball legacy that stretched across generations. Their achievements opened doors for future Puerto Rican players in the majors.

Mangual won three World Series titles with Oakland, and that still stands out in Puerto Rican baseball history. His game-winning hit in Game 4 of the 1972 World Series remains one of the most unforgettable moments by a Puerto Rican player on the sport’s biggest stage.

Influence on the Oakland Athletics

Ángel Mangual made his mark on the Oakland Athletics in ways that went far beyond his batting stats during his six seasons with the team from 1971 to 1976. His clutch hitting and steady presence helped keep the Athletics’ championship dynasty rolling in the early 1970s.

Contributions to Team Success

Mangual played a key role in the Athletics’ three straight World Series wins from 1972 to 1974. In 1971, he played 94 games, hit .286, and finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year race.

His biggest moment came during the 1972 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. In Game 4, Mangual came up as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the ninth and knocked in the game-winning single. Gene Tenace scored, Oakland won 3-2, and they moved within a game of their first title since 1930.

That inning was wild—three pinch-hitters in a row got hits, a first in World Series history. Mangual’s clutch at-bat showed just how deep the team was and how manager Dick Williams knew how to use his bench.

Mangual only hit .246 with five home runs during the 1972 regular season, but his postseason heroics mattered when it counted.

Role in the Athletics Dynasty

Owner Charlie Finley looked at Mangual as the guy who might take over center field from Rick Monday, whom Finley doubted would become a star. Mangual’s flexibility let him play both center and right field for Oakland.

The Puerto Rican outfielder stuck with the Athletics through their entire championship run, playing a part in the 1972, 1973, and 1974 title teams. He gave the team a solid bench option and stepped in as a starter whenever injuries happened.

Mangual could play defense, though he had his ups and downs, and that gave manager Dick Williams more options. In 1972, he played 51 games in right field and 22 in center as the team tried out different lineups.

He knew the system and fit in well, making himself a valuable part of the Athletics during their most successful years.

Memorable Moments with Teammates

Mangual had a mix of positive moments and a few tense ones with his Oakland teammates. That clutch Game 4 hit in the 1972 World Series? Teammates swarmed him at first base, celebrating the game-winning single with a lot of emotion.

But not everything went smoothly. In 1973, Mangual got into a physical fight with pitcher Blue Moon Odom on a team flight. Odom’s cassette player blasted loud music, and things just boiled over.

There was another time Mangual lost his cool. When manager Williams sent Reggie Jackson to pinch-hit for him, Mangual threw his helmet out of frustration. Williams handed him a $200 fine for that, though Mangual insisted he only wanted to unwind.

Still, Mangual stuck with the Athletics’ championship core until the team waived him on August 31, 1976. That move ended his major league career at just 29.