Frank Taveras – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Frank Taveras put together an 11-year Major League Baseball career as a speedy shortstop, making his name with stolen bases and flashy defense. He was born in the Dominican Republic in 1949, broke into the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1971, and played until 1982, wrapping things up with the Montreal Expos.

Taveras retired from professional baseball in 1982. Injuries and less playing time made his final season a tough one.

People called him “The Pittsburgh Stealer,” and he really fit the mold of the speedy, light-hitting shortstop that was so common in the ’70s. Over his career, he stole 300 bases. In 1977, he led the league with 70 steals, setting a Pirates record at the time.

He only hit two home runs in more than 4,000 plate appearances, but teams valued him for his speed and his range at shortstop.

Let’s take a closer look at Taveras’ journey—from a small Dominican town to the big leagues, his peak years in Pittsburgh, and what led him to retire in 1982. His story really highlights the opportunities and struggles Latin American players faced in the early ’70s, and how the shortstop role was changing in pro baseball.

Early Life and Path to Major League Baseball

Frank Taveras was born on December 24, 1949, in Las Matas de Santa Cruz, Dominican Republic. The Pittsburgh Pirates signed him in 1968.

He spent three years developing in the minors before finally making his MLB debut in 1971.

Birthplace and Childhood in Dominican Republic

Franklin Crisóstomo Taveras Fabián came into the world in Las Matas de Santa Cruz, the biggest city in Monte Cristi province. Even decades later, this northwestern Dominican town had fewer than 20,000 people.

Frank grew up in a baseball-crazy family with at least four siblings. His brothers were Ramón and Rodrigo, and his sisters were Magalys and Eunice.

Baseball ran deep in Monte Cristi. Local legends included the Olivo brothers, Diómedes and Chi-Chi, who both made it to the majors in their 30s and 40s—a pretty wild feat.

Young Frank played ball in the Dominican countryside. At home, people called him Boroto and Berenjena (“Eggplant”).

By 18, Taveras played for the National Police team. He was supposed to work at a livestock fair, but he paid a friend 20 pesos to cover his shift so he could go play baseball instead.

Signing as an Amateur Free Agent

Pittsburgh’s superscout Howie Haak spotted Taveras and signed him for a $3,500 bonus in January 1968. Haak, who had a knack for finding talent in Latin America, brought the teenager to Santo Domingo.

They signed the deal at the El Embajador hotel, after meeting at Estadio Quisqueya. When Taveras debuted in 1971, he became just the 28th Dominican player to reach the big leagues.

That winter, Taveras started playing in the Dominican pro league. He joined Águilas Cibaeñas and stuck with them for 10 seasons.

During his first three Dominican winters, he mostly rode the bench, playing just 10 to 20 games a year and hitting .292 in 130 at-bats.

Development in the Minor Leagues

Taveras kicked off his pro career in spring 1968 at the Class-A level. Over his first three seasons, he bounced around five minor league teams, learning the ropes.

In 1969, the Pirates brought him to spring training. That’s where he met Roberto Clemente, whom Taveras later called “my guide, my mentor, my counselor.”

At 21, in 1971, Taveras’ career suddenly took off. He played 87 games in Double-A and 48 at Triple-A Charleston.

Manager Joe Morgan praised Taveras’s fielding, saying, “If I had known Taveras was going to play shortstop the way he did, he would have been in our lineup sooner.”

When MLB rosters expanded in September 1971, the Pirates called up Taveras. He made his debut on September 25, 1971, against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium, coming in as a pinch-runner in a 15-inning game.

Major League Debut and Early Career with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Frank Taveras made his MLB debut with the Pirates on September 25, 1971, as a pinch runner in a 15-inning game against the Mets. After a couple of short stints in 1971 and 1972, he returned to the minors before finally grabbing the starting shortstop job in 1974.

MLB Debut in 1971

Taveras signed with the Pirates as an amateur free agent on January 8, 1968. He worked his way up through the minors for three years.

The Pirates called him up in September 1971, giving him his first taste of the majors. He made his debut at Shea Stadium against the Mets in a 15-inning marathon.

Manager Danny Murtaugh sent Taveras in as a pinch runner for Willie Stargell in the top of the 15th. The Pirates had walked Stargell intentionally with a runner on second and one out.

Taveras ran the bases, but the next hitter grounded into a double play. The Mets won 2-1 in the bottom of the 15th, but Taveras had made it to the big leagues at 21.

Limited Early Appearances and Role

Taveras went back to the minors for 1972. The Pirates called him up again that September for a quick look.

He played in four games as a backup shortstop. He didn’t get a hit in his first three at-bats.

Pittsburgh had a crowded shortstop situation. Veterans Gene Alley and Jackie Hernández were ahead of him.

Manager Bill Virdon wanted Taveras playing every day in the minors instead of sitting on the bench. In November 1972, Virdon said he’d rather see Taveras “playing every day at Charleston than sitting on our bench.”

In July 1973, the Pirates traded for Dal Maxvill, another light-hitting veteran, which pushed Taveras further down the depth chart.

Becoming the Starting Shortstop

Things changed after the 1973 season. Alley retired and Hernández was sent to the minors.

The Pirates released Maxvill in April 1974. The Associated Press wrote, “Taveras has long been regarded as the heir apparent to the post.” Team officials thought he had “all the tools to become a top-flight infielder.”

Taveras made the Pittsburgh roster in 1974 and never went back to the minors. Early in the season, he split time with Mario Mendoza, but by the second half, Taveras had locked down the job.

He played 126 games in his first full year, hit .246, and drove in 26 runs. He made 31 errors, but his defense improved as the season went on.

The Pirates won the NL East in both 1974 and 1975 with Taveras at shortstop. Manager Danny Murtaugh gave him the confidence to play loose, helping Taveras settle into his role.

Career Highlights and Peak Performance

Frank Taveras hit his stride in the late ’70s with the Pirates, becoming one of the National League’s top base stealers. His biggest moments included leading the majors in stolen bases and hitting a wild grand slam.

Stolen Base Leader in 1977

Taveras had his career year in 1977, leading all of Major League Baseball with 70 stolen bases. That’s when people started calling him “The Pittsburgh Stealer,” and his speed became his trademark.

He worked with the legendary Maury Wills during winter ball in the Dominican Republic. Wills taught him the technical stuff, and maybe more importantly, told Taveras not to be afraid to go for steals.

In 1977, Taveras stole 70 bags and was caught just 18 times, so he succeeded almost 80 percent of the time. That combo of volume and efficiency made him a nightmare for National League pitchers and catchers.

He broke the Pirates’ franchise record of 63 steals, which Max Carey had set back in 1916. Omar Moreno broke Taveras’s record the very next year with 71 steals.

Inside-the-Park Grand Slam

On August 5, 1977, Taveras hit his first regular-season home run in dramatic fashion. He smacked an inside-the-park grand slam off Reds pitcher Doug Capilla at Riverfront Stadium.

This was a big deal—Taveras only hit two home runs in his entire 11-year career. The grand slam was his only real power highlight in 4,399 plate appearances.

It happened during a tense doubleheader. Earlier that day, Taveras got hit by a pitch after stealing a base in a blowout, which led to a bench-clearing brawl.

Willie Stargell had made a bet with Taveras about hitting a homer. Stargell promised him $25 for an exhibition home run and $100 for one in a real game—so the grand slam came with a bonus.

Consistent Batting and Fielding Achievements

Taveras kept up steady offensive production despite his reputation as a light hitter. He finished with a .255 batting average and racked up 1,029 hits in 1,150 games.

His best years came with the Pirates from 1975 to 1978. On average, he played 146 games and got 576 plate appearances per season, hitting .250 with solid run production.

Taveras finished in the top three in National League steals four times. His 300 career stolen bases put him among the top base stealers of his era.

He could be erratic in the field, but he made plenty of highlight-reel plays at shortstop. Taveras often credited second baseman Rennie Stennett for helping him sharpen his defense in those early years.

Transition to the New York Mets and Later MLB Career

Frank Taveras joined the New York Mets in 1979 after a trade from Pittsburgh. He spent three seasons as their main shortstop.

His time in New York showed off his speed and defense. He finished up with a short stint for the Montreal Expos before retiring in 1982.

Trade Details and Circumstances

The Pirates traded Taveras to the Mets in May 1979 after he played just 11 games that year. Pittsburgh got shortstop Tim Foli in return.

For Taveras, the move was bittersweet. The Pirates won the World Series that season, while Taveras landed on a last-place Mets team.

Taveras had been the Pirates’ regular shortstop for five years, from 1974 to 1978. His trade marked the end of that chapter.

For the 29-year-old Taveras, the trade meant a fresh start. The Mets gave him a chance to be a key part of their rebuilding plans.

Contributions with the New York Mets

Taveras jumped in and made a difference with the Mets in 1979. He played in 164 games that season, combining 11 with Pittsburgh and 153 with New York.

His speed really stood out. Taveras led the Mets in stolen bases that year with 42. He also finished first on the team in triples with 9, at-bats with 645, and singles with 131.

Key 1979 Statistics:

• Batting average: .263
• Doubles: 26
• Stolen bases: 42 (team leader)
• Triples: 9 (team leader)

The 1980 season turned out to be Taveras’s best with the Mets. He hit a career-high .279 and had an impressive May, batting .362 and stringing together a 14-game hitting streak.

He made a big impact with his glove too. In 1979, he recorded 287 putouts, second in the league, and turned 92 double plays. Over his time with the Mets, he played 371 games at shortstop, which puts him seventh all-time in franchise history.

By 1981, Taveras played a smaller role during the strike-shortened season. He hit .230 in only 84 games as the Mets started to shift to Ron Gardenhire at shortstop.

Final Season with the Montreal Expos

The Mets traded Taveras to the Montreal Expos in December 1981. In return, New York got pitcher Steve Ratzer, who never ended up pitching a game for them.

Taveras spent his last major league season with the Expos in 1982, and honestly, things didn’t go so well. His performance dropped off quite a bit.

Montreal brought him in for his veteran presence, hoping he could help. But his offense just wasn’t there anymore, and at 32, he started to feel the effects of age.

After the 1982 season, Taveras decided to retire, wrapping up an 11-year career. He finished with a .255 batting average, 300 stolen bases, and just 2 home runs in the big leagues.

He stole 90 bases as a Met, which puts him 16th all-time for the franchise. That really shows how he made things happen with his speed instead of power.

Career Statistics and Playing Style

Frank Taveras hit .255 over his 11-year MLB career from 1971 to 1982. People mostly remember him as a speedy shortstop with solid defense. Back in 1977, he led the National League with 70 stolen bases while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates—pretty wild, right?

Career Batting and Fielding Summary

Taveras played in 1,150 games and picked up 1,029 hits across three teams. He scored 503 runs, notched 214 RBIs, and held things down at shortstop.

He never really hit for power. Taveras managed just 2 home runs in his whole career, so he definitely focused on making contact.

He drew 249 walks and struck out 474 times. His on-base percentage sat at .301, and his slugging percentage was .313, giving him a .614 OPS.

Career Totals:

• Games: 1,150
• Hits: 1,029
• Batting Average: .255
• Doubles: 144
• Triples: 44
• Home Runs: 2

Stolen Bases, Caught Stealing, and Runs

Taveras really made his mark as a base stealer, swiping 300 bags during his career. His best season came in 1977, when he led the National League with 70 steals.

He got caught stealing 106 times, so his success rate was about 74%. That’s pretty efficient and made him a real threat on the bases.

His speed helped him score runs too. Taveras crossed the plate 503 times, and in 1979 alone, he scored 93 runs.

The Pirates leaned on his speed during their strong years in the mid-1970s. He created chances by stealing bases and kept pitchers on edge.

Recognition and Unique Records

Fans gave Taveras the nickname “Pittsburgh Stealer” when he played for the Pirates. It fit—he was always a threat to swipe a bag.

His 1977 season stands out the most. Leading the league with 70 steals put him among the top base stealers of his time.

He played for three teams: the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, and Montreal Expos. The bulk of his career was with Pittsburgh, where he played 724 games over eight seasons.

Baseball Almanac notes Taveras debuted on September 25, 1971, at age 21. He stuck around for over a decade, thanks mostly to his defense and his knack for being a utility guy through the ’70s and early ’80s.

Legacy, Retirement, and Life After Baseball

Frank Taveras wrapped up his MLB career in 1982 after 11 seasons. He left a legacy built on speed and base stealing. His time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the nickname “The Pittsburgh Stealer” really summed up his impact—he changed games with his legs, not his bat.

Impact on Teams and MLB

Taveras played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1971-1979), New York Mets (1979-1981), and Montreal Expos (1982). Pittsburgh saw his biggest contributions, especially when he was their main shortstop from 1975 through 1978.

The Pirates counted on Taveras’s speed during his best years. He averaged 146 games per season from 1975-1978, and his steady stolen base numbers helped Pittsburgh win National League East titles in 1974 and 1975.

He finished his career with a .255 average, 668 runs scored, and 320 stolen bases. He led the league in steals twice, including a career-high 70 in 1977.

His defense could be a bit shaky. Pirates manager Chuck Tanner once said fans booed Taveras because “every time he made a mistake, everybody was all over him.”

Nickname: The Pittsburgh Stealer

Taveras picked up the nickname “The Pittsburgh Stealer” during his best baserunning years in the mid-1970s. It really captured his role as the Pirates’ top base stealer.

After working with Maury Wills in the 1975 Dominican winter season, Taveras’s stolen base numbers took off. Wills taught him technical tricks and gave him the confidence to run, telling him “not to be afraid” out there.

In 1976, Taveras stole 58 bases and only got caught 11 times. The next year, he swiped 70 and got caught just 18 times, leading all of Major League Baseball.

On September 17, 1977, Taveras stole his 64th base of the season at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium. That broke the Pirates’ franchise record of 63, which Max Carey had set way back in 1916.

Post-Retirement Activities and Legacy

The Montreal Expos released Taveras on August 13, 1982, after he hit just .161 in his final season.

He wrapped up his playing career at age 32, finishing with 11 seasons in the majors.

Even after hanging up his cleats, Taveras kept his ties to baseball, mostly through his family.

His son, Frank Taveras Jr., played minor league baseball from 1993 to 2002. That kept the baseball legacy going for another generation.

Taveras really embodied an era when light-hitting shortstops could stick around thanks to their defense and speed.

He stood out as one of the early Dominican players in MLB, being just one of 28 Dominicans to reach the majors by 1971.

He finished with a .255 batting average and only two home runs, which says a lot about how baseball has changed.

These days, teams expect shortstops to hit more than players like Taveras did back in the 1970s and early 1980s.