Benny Ayala – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Benny Ayala made his mark in baseball history over a career that stretched from 1974 to 1985. The Puerto Rican outfielder burst onto the major league scene, becoming both the first New York Mets player and first Puerto Rican to hit a home run in his very first at-bat.

That debut against the Houston Astros on August 27, 1974, set the stage for a career that spanned four teams and ended with a World Series ring.

Ayala hit his peak with the Baltimore Orioles, winning a World Series in 1983 as a clutch platoon player and pinch hitter. Manager Earl Weaver loved his knack for big moments, especially since Ayala could really punish left-handed pitching.

Teams counted on him for those strategic matchups, and he didn’t disappoint.

Let’s take a look at Ayala’s journey through baseball, from his historic Mets debut to his championship run in Baltimore.

He showed that a player can build a long, meaningful career on specialized skills and a talent for rising to the occasion.

Benny Ayala’s Career Overview

Benny Ayala played in the big leagues for ten years, from 1974 to 1985, suiting up for four teams, including the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles.

He earned a reputation as a versatile player who could move around the diamond, finishing with a .251 career average, 38 home runs, and 145 RBIs.

Early MLB Debut and First Home Run

Ayala broke into the majors on August 27, 1974, with the New York Mets at just 23 years old.

His first game, against the Houston Astros, turned out to be unforgettable.

He got three at-bats and managed one hit—a home run that brought in an RBI.

That first impression was something special. Homering in his very first MLB game really highlighted his natural power.

Ayala became the 13,536th player in big league history. His early days with the Mets showed the kind of potential that would keep him around for a decade.

Teams Played For and Key Transfers

Over ten seasons, Ayala wore the uniforms of four different teams. He started with the New York Mets in 1974, then moved around as his career progressed.

He spent time with the St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Indians, too. But his biggest years came with the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles gave Ayala the most consistent role. They relied on his versatility season after season.

He played his final game on October 2, 1985, against the Seattle Mariners, wearing a Cleveland Indians uniform. The Indians released him as a free agent that November, closing the chapter on his major league run.

Position and Playing Style

Ayala brought flexibility to every club he joined. He spent most of his time in left field, but he also filled in at first base, right field, and as a designated hitter.

Managers often called on him as a pinch hitter, too.

Key positions played:

• Left field (primary)
• First base
• Right field
• Designated hitter
• Pinch hitter

At 6’1″ and 185 pounds, Ayala batted and threw right-handed. He had the build to deliver power when needed.

Across 425 games, he tallied 217 hits and scored 114 runs. His knack for clutch hitting made him a go-to option off the bench.

Ayala focused more on power than batting average. He launched 38 home runs in limited at-bats, proving he could change a game with one swing.

Highlights with the New York Mets

Benny Ayala wrote his name into Mets history by homering in his first at-bat. His stint with the team from 1974 to 1977 showed flashes of his power, but also the tough road young outfielders faced breaking into the majors.

Historic First At-Bat Home Run

On August 27, 1974, Ayala stepped up at Shea Stadium and made instant history. Batting sixth against the Astros, he faced Tom Griffin with one out in the second inning.

He turned on a high fastball, pulling it just inside the left field foul pole for a solo home run.

That made him the first National League player to homer in his first major league at-bat since Cuno Barragan way back in 1961.

The Mets organization had never seen anything like it. Ayala became the franchise’s first to achieve that feat, and the first Puerto Rican player to do it as well.

Around a dozen of Ayala’s family members watched from the left field mezzanine, celebrating wildly and hugging nearby fans. He actually used a borrowed bat from teammate Joe Nolan for the big swing.

Role as a Mets Outfielder

Ayala’s role with the Mets stayed pretty limited in 1974 and 1976. He played just 45 games total, wearing number 18 as a corner outfielder.

Competition for outfield spots was fierce. The Mets brought in Dave Kingman in 1975, which really cut into Ayala’s chances. He didn’t mesh well with manager Yogi Berra’s style, either.

When Joe Frazier took over as manager in 1976, Ayala got another shot. Frazier knew Ayala from their time together in the minors, but even that connection couldn’t get Ayala regular playing time.

He started only two games after Opening Day in 1976. His bat never got going—just three hits in 26 at-bats. One of those hits, though, was a pinch-hit home run off Jack Billingham, his last homer off a righty in the majors.

Major Transactions and Trades

The Mets signed Ayala as an amateur free agent on January 28, 1971. Scout Nino Escalera spotted him at Rio Piedras Junior College in Puerto Rico.

Escalera could offer up to $125,000, but landed Ayala for just $7,000. That bargain became a talking point between the two later on.

On March 30, 1977, the Mets traded Ayala to the St. Louis Cardinals. In return, they got second baseman Doug Clarey, who had played just nine games in 1976.

That trade ended Ayala’s time in the Mets system. He’d spent six years there, from rookie ball to brief big league stints. Moving to St. Louis set him on the path to his best years with Baltimore.

Baltimore Orioles Tenure and Achievements

Benny Ayala thrived with the Baltimore Orioles between 1979 and 1985, making the most of his role as a platoon player under Earl Weaver. The Orioles leaned on him against left-handed pitching, leading to World Series appearances and some of his best moments.

World Series Victory in 1983

Ayala played a key part in the Orioles’ 1983 World Series win. He appeared in several postseason games during his Baltimore run, batting .429 in playoff situations.

The 1983 season stood out as the highlight of his career. As a key bench player, he contributed throughout the regular season and playoffs.

Earning a World Series ring capped off years of hard work as a role player. That championship validated everything he’d given to the game.

Key Platoon Moments

Earl Weaver used Ayala almost exclusively against lefties during his Orioles years. Ayala actually faced left-handed pitching in 86 percent of his career plate appearances.

His most famous moment came in Game 3 of the 1979 World Series. He crushed a two-run homer off John Candelaria, a lefty, keeping Baltimore close.

Weaver knew how to play to Ayala’s strengths, using him as a perfect example of the Orioles’ “deep depth” approach.

Memorable Performances

Ayala’s best season came in 1980, when he hit .265 with 10 homers and 33 RBIs in 76 games. That year really showed what he could do for Baltimore.

On September 5, 1980, he came up big with an eighth-inning, pinch-hit three-run homer off Oakland’s Bob Lacey, nearly sparking a comeback in an 8-7 win.

His only two-homer game in the majors happened on June 10, 1979, against the Texas Rangers. Both were solo shots off lefty Jon Matlack, who used to be his Mets teammate.

Notable Career Statistics and Records

Benny Ayala put together a ten-year major league career from 1974 to 1985, hitting .251 with 38 homers and 145 RBIs across 425 games.

His most productive seasons came in Baltimore, where he became a trusted platoon player and pinch hitter.

Major League Statistics Overview

Ayala’s numbers show how he made the most of his chances as a part-timer. In 865 at-bats, he picked up 217 hits and finished with a .739 OPS.

His top season came in 1982 with the Orioles. He hit .305 with 6 home runs and 24 RBIs in 128 at-bats, posting a .823 OPS and a 123 OPS+, well above average.

Power was always part of his game. He hit 38 home runs in just 865 at-bats—one every 22.8 at-bats, which stacks up well against many regulars of his era.

Ayala played in the 1979 and 1983 World Series with Baltimore. In 1979, he batted .333 with a home run in four games against the Pirates.

Minor League Performance

There’s not a ton of detailed information on Ayala’s minor league stats. He worked his way up the ladder before debuting with the Mets in 1974.

His time in the minors helped him get comfortable playing all over the field—outfield, first base, and DH.

That experience shaped his versatility, which became his calling card in the majors.

Platoon and Splits Insights

Ayala’s career numbers show how teams used him for platoon advantages. As a right-handed hitter, he was a weapon in certain matchups.

The Orioles got the most out of him by making him their go-to designated hitter and pinch hitter. In 1980, he played 76 games but racked up 191 plate appearances.

Career Position Breakdown:

• Designated Hitter: Main role in Baltimore
• Left Field: Most frequent defensive position
• First Base: Sometimes filled in
• Right Field: Occasional duty

Ayala’s ability to deliver in limited at-bats made him a valued bench presence. Managers knew they could count on him for a key pinch-hit or a matchup against a tough lefty.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Benny Ayala wrapped up his major league career in 1985 after a solid ten years as a role player.

After leaving MLB, he kept playing in other leagues and got involved in helping Puerto Rican baseball players through community work.

Final MLB Season in 1985

Ayala wrapped up his final season in Major League Baseball in 1985, when he was 34. He played his last game on October 2, 1985, closing out a career that ran from 1974 to 1985.

During his time in the majors, Ayala stepped up to the plate 951 times. He really thrived against left-handed pitching, and 86 percent of his at-bats came against southpaws.

Ayala hit 38 regular-season home runs, and 35 of those were off lefties. Teams like the Baltimore Orioles valued him as a platoon player because of this.

He played for four teams in his career: the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, and Cleveland Indians.

Later Playing Years and Senior Leagues

After MLB, Ayala kept playing by joining alternative baseball leagues. In the late 1980s, he played in the Senior Professional Baseball Association, which didn’t last long but offered a new kind of opportunity.

He joined the West Palm Beach team in Florida, taking part in this experimental league. The Senior League catered to former pros who still wanted to compete.

This league gave older players like Ayala a chance to stick around the game they loved. They got to show off their skills in a setting made for veterans.

The Senior Professional Baseball Association bridged the gap between his active playing days and his later community work. It showed just how much he still cared about baseball, even after his MLB days ended.

Community and Coaching Involvement

Ayala made his biggest impact after retiring, working with the Baseball Assistance Team (BAT). He stepped up as a strong advocate for former Puerto Rican players who had fallen on tough times.

In November 2007, Ayala partnered with the Calero & Sullivan Baseball Management firm to organize a groundbreaking meeting. This event brought together 118 former professional players from Puerto Rico and representatives from the Major League Baseball Players’ Alumni Association.

Key outcomes of this initiative included:

• Financial support for players in need
• Medical assistance for former professionals
• Connection with the Baseball Assistance Team resources

“There are really sad stories,” Ayala said in 2009. “And most of them are unknown, because ballplayers are proud. They don’t like to ask.”

Ayala’s advocacy grew from his understanding of the struggles many former players faced after retiring. Thanks to his own financial security, including a solid pension from MLB, he was in a position to help.

He saw that ex-players often ran into difficulties but didn’t want to ask for help. His efforts built a support network for retired Puerto Rican baseball players, offering both immediate relief and longer-term assistance.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Benny Ayala’s impact on baseball goes way beyond his stats. He stands out as a major figure in Puerto Rican baseball history and a great example of specialized role players. His work with the Baseball Assistance Team after retiring showed his dedication to helping fellow players.

Recognition in Puerto Rican Baseball

Ayala holds a unique place in Puerto Rican baseball history as one of only four major league players from Yauco. He was the first Puerto Rican player to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat, doing it on August 27, 1974, against the Houston Astros.

He shined in Puerto Rico’s winter league too. Ayala led the league in home runs twice and snagged the MVP award in 1973-74, even though he finished fifth in batting average.

That season, he hit .340 and tied for the league lead in RBIs with 46. The competition was tough back then, with Ayala going up against future stars like George Hendrick, Chris Chambliss, Mickey Rivers, and José Cruz Sr.

His MVP season really established him as one of the top power hitters in Puerto Rican pro baseball.

Contribution to Team Success

Ayala made his biggest mark with the Baltimore Orioles, fitting perfectly into the “deep depth” philosophy that manager Earl Weaver liked. He played a key role as a platoon player against left-handed pitchers, which proved vital during the team’s championship runs.

In the 1979 World Series, Ayala hit a memorable two-run homer off John Candelaria in Game Three. That blast helped spark a rally for the Orioles.

His performance really highlighted the value of specialized bench players in the postseason. Eighty-six percent of Ayala’s career plate appearances came against left-handed pitching, underscoring his specialized spot on the roster.

He hit 35 of his 38 regular-season home runs off southpaws, making him one of the most effective platoon hitters of his time.

As a member of the 1983 World Series championship Orioles, Ayala contributed to another Baltimore title. He appeared in 47 regular season games and provided veteran leadership to the squad.

Influence on Future Players

After his playing career ended, Ayala jumped in as a big supporter of former players through his work with the Baseball Assistance Team (BAT).

He saw that a lot of Puerto Rican players struggled with money after retirement. In 2009, he said, “there are really sad stories, and most of them are unknown, because ballplayers are proud.”

Ayala’s take on late development in baseball gave future players something to think about. He didn’t even pick up the game until he was 11.

He later pointed out, “if you start late, you don’t get bored.” He actually talked about this with Hall of Famers like Tom Seaver and Rusty Staub.

Ayala proved that a specialized role player could make a real impact. He showed that platoon systems in baseball weren’t just a theory.

Earl Weaver used him in ways that really brought out his strengths, letting the team get the most out of his talent.

After retiring, Ayala spoke up for players who needed help, especially those from Latin America. Many of these players faced language barriers or cultural challenges when they tried to get assistance.