Aurelio Monteagudo – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Aurelio Monteagudo grew up in Cuba and pitched right-handed, making a name for himself over seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1963 to 1973. Folks called him “Monty” for short, and he earned a reputation for his screwball pitch while bouncing around five different MLB teams: the Kansas City Athletics, Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, and California Angels.

He hung up his glove after the 1973 season, with his last big-league outing coming on September 28, 1973, for the Angels.

His dad, René Monteagudo, had played in the majors too, so baseball was pretty much in his blood. Aurelio’s journey started in Caibarién, Cuba, but after Fidel Castro took over, the family left for Venezuela. At 19, he broke into the big leagues as a rookie, which is pretty wild if you think about it.

He didn’t rack up a ton of wins—just a 3-7 record and a 5.05 ERA over 72 games—but his story fits right into the bigger picture of Cuban ballplayers chasing their dreams far from home during some pretty rough times.

Monteagudo didn’t stop after leaving MLB. He kept pitching in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League and the Mexican League for several more years. Later, he found success as a manager in Mexico, but tragically, he died in a car accident in 1990, just nine days before turning 47.

Aurelio Monteagudo’s Early Life and Background

Aurelio Faustino Monteagudo Cintra was born into a baseball family in Cuba. Political changes shook up his childhood, and his move from Cuba to Venezuela really shaped how he grew up and learned the game.

Family and Heritage

Aurelio entered the world on November 19, 1943, in Caibarien, Cuba. His dad, Rene Monteagudo, also played in the majors and finished with a 3-7 record.

He grew up in a baseball household, so the sport was always around. Aurelio got a front-row seat to the game thanks to his father’s experience.

The Monteagudo family had deep Cuban roots, and baseball was already huge in Cuba back in the ’40s and ’50s.

Having a dad who’d played in the majors set the bar high for young Aurelio. The family already knew the ups and downs of pro baseball.

Move from Cuba to Venezuela

After Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, the Monteagudos left Cuba. Like a lot of Cuban families, they had to look for a new place to call home.

Aurelio was about 16 when they landed in Venezuela. That move happened right when he was getting serious about baseball.

Venezuela became their new home, and it was a crucial time for Aurelio’s development as a player. Adjusting to a new country and baseball scene couldn’t have been easy.

Many Cuban families faced the same challenges, trying to start over in a new place while still holding onto their baseball dreams.

Early Baseball Influences

Aurelio sharpened his baseball skills in both Cuba and Venezuela. His dad’s pro experience gave him some real hands-on guidance.

Venezuelan leagues gave young players like Aurelio a shot to show what they could do. The country had a solid baseball tradition and plenty of scouts watching.

Growing up between two baseball cultures gave Aurelio a fresh take on the game. Cuban and Venezuelan baseball each had their own spin on how to shape players.

His early exposure to the pros through his dad helped him get ready for what was coming. That background paid off when he made it to the majors at 19.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Aurelio Monteagudo pitched in the majors from 1963 to 1973, ending up with a 3-7 record and a 5.05 ERA over 72 games. He played for five teams, mostly coming out of the bullpen with that screwball of his.

MLB Debut and Kansas City Athletics

Monteagudo made his MLB debut on September 1, 1963, with the Kansas City Athletics. Just 19, he started throwing his screwball and quickly found a spot in the Athletics’ pitching rotation.

He spent a little over three seasons with Kansas City, from 1963 to 1966. During that stretch, he worked as both a starter and reliever, picking up skills from the coaching staff.

The young pitcher flashed some promise with the Athletics. His screwball became his go-to pitch, helping him work through tough lineups.

Kansas City gave Monteagudo a shot at pitching in all kinds of situations. That kind of experience definitely shaped how he approached the game.

Stints with Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox

The Houston Astros traded for Monteagudo on May 17, 1966, marking his first move in the big leagues. He finished the 1966 season with Houston and picked up Venezuelan citizenship by year’s end.

His time with the Astros was short but pretty important. Pitching in the National League exposed him to new hitters and different game plans.

On July 16, 1967, the Chicago White Sox signed Monteagudo as a Venezuelan citizen. This was a fresh start for him in the American League.

The White Sox mostly used Monteagudo out of the bullpen. He spent the 1967 season helping out their relief corps.

Kansas City Royals and California Angels Period

Monteagudo headed back to Kansas City in 1970, this time with the brand-new Kansas City Royals. The expansion squad gave him a chance to bring his screwball back to familiar territory.

He pitched just one season for the Royals. The team was still building, and Monteagudo added some veteran experience to their staff.

The California Angels picked him up for the 1973 season, which ended up being his last in the majors. He played his final MLB game on September 28, 1973.

After that season, the Angels traded Monteagudo and Chris Coletta to the Philadelphia Phillies for Denny Doyle on December 6, 1973. That move wrapped up an earlier deal from August, but Monteagudo never pitched for Philly.

1973 Season and Retirement

Monteagudo’s last season in the majors came in 1973 with the California Angels. He posted a 4.20 ERA across 15 games, picking up 3 saves as a reliever before his career wrapped up that December.

Performance with California Angels

Monteagudo joined the Angels in June 1973, coming over in a trade from the San Diego Padres. The Angels got him for Ron Clark on June 10, 1973.

He pitched in 15 games as a reliever for California, putting together a 2-1 record and a 4.20 ERA over 30 innings.

The righty gave up 23 hits, walked 16, and only struck out 8 batters. That strikeout rate—just 2.4 per nine innings—was definitely on the low side.

Monteagudo earned 3 saves for the Angels, working late in games. He finished 10 games, showing the team trusted him in those closing spots.

Control issues kept causing trouble for him, as his 4.8 walks per nine innings shows. He even hit 4 batters during the season, so command was a real problem.

Final MLB Games and Stats

Those 15 games in 1973 marked the end of Monteagudo’s seven-year big league run. His final stats included 30 innings and 18 runs allowed.

Looking at his career totals, Monteagudo pitched in 72 games, finishing with a 3-7 record and a 5.05 ERA over 132 innings.

His 1973 season was actually one of his better ones, with a 4.20 ERA—better than his career average. The 3 saves were also a personal best.

Monteagudo never really put up big strikeout numbers. He finished his career with just 58 Ks, and in 1973, he had only 8 in 30 innings.

Circumstances Around Retirement

The Angels traded Monteagudo to the Phillies on December 6, 1973. That move tied up an earlier deal from August, with Chris Coletta also heading to Philly.

Monteagudo didn’t end up pitching for the Phillies. So 1973 was it for him in the majors, retiring at 29.

It’s not exactly clear why he left the game at that point. He seemed to be in a stable spot, but sometimes that’s just how baseball goes.

Monteagudo’s career stretched from 1963 to 1973, covering five different teams. Not a lot of guys can say they lasted that long in the big leagues.

His last season with the Angels closed the book on a career that took him all over the majors.

Pitching Style and Career Statistics

Monteagudo put together a 3-7 record and a 5.05 ERA over 72 games in seven seasons. He started out as both a starter and reliever, but most of his success came out of the bullpen later on.

Pitching Role and Techniques

Monteagudo started his career pitching both ways for the Kansas City Athletics. He made 7 starts, but relief work seemed to suit him better.

His best year was probably 1970 with the Royals. He pitched in 21 games, all in relief, and posted a 2.96 ERA over 27.1 innings.

Standing 5-11 and weighing in at 185 pounds, he threw and batted right-handed.

He struggled with control early on. In 1964, he gave up 11 home runs in just 31.1 innings, which ballooned his ERA to 8.90.

Switching to relief helped him out. He ended up with 4 career saves and finished 31 games as the last guy on the mound.

Statistical Highlights

Monteagudo’s numbers show he had a tough time sticking at the major league level. He struck out 58 batters in 132 innings.

His ERA bounced around a lot:

• Best: 2.57 (1963, 7.0 innings)
• Worst: 20.26 (1967, 1.1 innings)
• Most effective season: 2.96 ERA in 1970

The Cuban-born pitcher gave up 122 hits and 62 walks during his career. He also hit 6 batters and threw 6 wild pitches.

His last season in 1973 with the Angels was solid. He put up a 4.20 ERA and 3 saves in 15 games.

Monteagudo never went the distance in a game or threw a shutout. He always came in either as a reliever or for short starts.

Comparison with Peers

Relief pitching in the ’60s and early ’70s was a different animal compared to now. Monteagudo’s 5.05 ERA was below average even for those days.

Back then, most relievers went more than an inning at a time. Monteagudo averaged about 1.8 innings per outing.

He didn’t rack up strikeouts like some of his peers, finishing with 4.0 Ks per nine innings—lower than the league average.

Pitchers on the Athletics and Astros during his time often had better numbers. Monteagudo’s role was usually pretty limited.

Most relievers in that era posted ERAs between 3.00 and 4.00. Monteagudo’s 5.05 put him on the lower end of the scale.

That 1970 season with Kansas City was probably his closest to league average. A 2.96 ERA that year put him in the same ballpark as solid relievers.

Legacy, Recognition, and Impact

Aurelio Monteagudo made his biggest mark on baseball after his MLB days, especially through his long career in Venezuelan pro ball. He played 20 seasons in Venezuela and, in 2009, earned a spot in the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame. That’s a pretty big deal and cements him as a key figure in the country’s baseball history.

Venezuelan League and Hall of Fame Induction

Monteagudo found real success in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Over 20 seasons, he put up a 79-81 record with 897 strikeouts and a 3.37 ERA.

His numbers in Venezuela honestly outshined what he did in MLB. You could really see his true talent as a pitcher there.

He played for five different Venezuelan teams during his career. These included Caracas (1963-68), Magallanes (1968), La Guaira (1968-74, 1976-82), and Portuguesa (1975).

On December 20, 1973, Monteagudo had one of those nights you never forget. He held the Cardenales de Lara hitless for 8⅔ innings—so close—until Faustino Zabala broke it up with a single to center field.

The Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Aurelio Faustino Monteagudo in 2009. That was nineteen years after his death.

This honor recognized how much he gave to Venezuelan baseball and how he helped raise the sport’s profile in the country.

Contribution to Baseball in Venezuela

Monteagudo’s impact on Venezuelan baseball went way beyond just stats. In 1966, he became a Venezuelan citizen, really embracing his new home and its baseball culture.

His steady play over two decades helped give Venezuelan pro baseball a sense of legitimacy. The league earned more respect, partly because of guys like Monteagudo who played at a high level and brought real professionalism.

After he wrapped up his playing days in 1981, Monteagudo jumped into management in the Mexican League. He really understood the game and could spot talent in other players.

His success in both Venezuelan and Mexican leagues showed that baseball didn’t have to stop at borders. This kind of cross-country play helped strengthen baseball ties across Latin America.

Influence on Future Generations

As the son of former major leaguer René Monteagudo, Aurelio kept the family’s baseball story going. That baseball legacy inspired other families to dream big, too.

His journey from Cuba to Venezuela, and eventually to MLB, showed young Latin American players that they could make it—even with all the political and geographic hurdles.

Monteagudo’s screwball became a bit of a legend among Venezuelan pitchers. He really mastered this tricky pitch, and plenty of young players tried to follow his example.

His Hall of Fame induction, even after his passing, still motivates Venezuelan players. It’s a reminder that dedication to the game in Venezuela can mean lasting recognition.

Personal Life, Post-Retirement, and Net Worth

After he retired from Major League Baseball in 1973, Aurelio Monteagudo stayed close to the sport. He faced personal challenges as a Cuban expatriate, but baseball remained a constant, even through tough times in Mexico.

Life After Baseball

Monteagudo returned to the California Angels organization as a minor league instructor after he hung up his glove. He shared his know-how with developing players, especially when it came to his signature screwball.

Switching from player to instructor seemed like a natural next step for him. He worked in the Angels’ farm system, helping young pitchers sharpen their skills.

Monteagudo’s experience as a big-league pitcher gave him a lot to offer. He stayed close to the game he loved, and his background—Cuban-born, with time in both the Athletics and Angels organizations—made him a pretty unique mentor.

Family and Personal Interests

Aurelio Faustino Monteagudo grew up in a baseball family. His father, René Monteagudo, pitched in the majors too, finishing his career with a 3-7 record.

Monteagudo was born in Caibarien, Cuba, on November 19, 1943. Political turmoil shaped his early life, and after Fidel Castro came to power, he moved to Venezuela.

A lot of Cuban players went through the same kind of upheaval back then. Friends and teammates called him “Monty,” a nickname that fit his easygoing personality.

Having lived in Cuba, Venezuela, and the United States, Monteagudo saw baseball—and life—from a pretty unique angle.

Net Worth and Later Years

No one really knows the exact details of Monteagudo’s net worth. Back in his era, players in the 1960s and early 1970s just didn’t make the kind of money we see today.

Most of them had to find work after their playing days ended. Monteagudo worked as a minor league instructor, which gave him a steady paycheck once he retired.

Coaching didn’t pay a ton, but it let him stay close to the game he loved. That’s something a lot of former players seem to value.

Sadly, Aurelio Monteagudo died in a car accident in Mexico on November 10, 1990. He was only 46, which feels too young, especially since he looked like he was finding a good rhythm in his coaching career.