José Tartabull – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

José Tartabull isn’t exactly a household name, but if you dig into baseball history, his nine-year run in Major League Baseball definitely left its mark. Born in Cuba in 1938, Tartabull played outfield from 1962 to 1970. He suited up for the Kansas City Athletics, Boston Red Sox, and Oakland Athletics during a pretty transformative era for the sport.

Tartabull’s top moment came in the 1967 pennant race. His clutch throw from right field helped the Boston Red Sox grab a victory that kept them tied for first in the American League. That play against the Chicago White Sox really showed off his speed and sharp defensive instincts. He made himself a valuable role player, even though he hit just .261 with only two home runs over 749 games.

He started out in Cienfuegos, Cuba, and eventually made an impact on one of baseball’s wildest seasons. Tartabull’s story gives you a glimpse into the challenges and small wins of a journeyman player during baseball’s golden age.

He bounced between three organizations and left a lasting influence on the game. His son Danny’s future All-Star career only adds to the deeper connections that make baseball’s history so interesting.

Early Life and Background

José Milages Tartabull Guzmán was born on November 27, 1938, in Cienfuegos, Cuba. He spent his childhood there before making his way to American baseball.

His early years in Cuba shaped his athletic development. Later, he became the father of future MLB star Danny Tartabull.

Childhood in Cienfuegos, Cuba

Tartabull grew up in Cienfuegos, a coastal city on Cuba’s southern shore. Born in 1938, he came of age at a time when baseball ran deep in Cuban culture.

The island had a rich baseball tradition going back to the late 1800s. Cuban players built a reputation for speed and athleticism, traits that would later define Tartabull’s career.

His childhood in Cienfuegos gave him a solid foundation for baseball. The warm weather meant he could play year-round, which really helped young athletes like Tartabull develop their skills.

Family and Personal Life

His full name was José Milages Tartabull Guzmán. He eventually became known not just for his own baseball career, but also as the father of Danny Tartabull.

Danny Tartabull ended up having a much bigger MLB career. In fact, Danny hit as many home runs in his first ten games with the Seattle Mariners as José did in his entire nine-year career—just two.

The Tartabull name became pretty well-known in baseball circles. The connection between father and son created a unique legacy that spanned two generations.

Move to the United States

Tartabull left Cuba for the United States to chase his dream of playing professional baseball. He was part of a bigger wave of Cuban players looking for opportunities in American baseball during the 1950s and early 1960s.

He broke into the majors at 23 years old on April 10, 1962, with the Kansas City Athletics. That debut kicked off his nine-year MLB career.

The move meant a huge life change for him. He had to adjust to a new country, a new culture, and the fiercely competitive world of American pro baseball.

Path to Major League Baseball

Tartabull’s journey to Major League Baseball started in Cuba and took him through several minor league teams across North America. Scouts noticed his speed and defensive skills, which led to his debut with the Kansas City Athletics in 1962.

Minor League Experience

Tartabull first played with the Regina, Saskatchewan club in 1957 after American scouts traveled through Cuba. That semipro team in Western Canada gave him his first taste of organized baseball outside his home country.

In 1958, Giants scout Alex Pompez signed Tartabull to a professional contract. He split time between Hastings in the Nebraska State League and Michigan City in the Midwest League.

Tartabull went back to Michigan City in 1959, played outfield, and led the league in several defensive categories. He topped the charts in putouts, assists, and double plays.

In 1960, he broke through with Eugene, Oregon, in the Class-B Northwest League. Tartabull batted .344, showing real improvement at the plate.

His best minor league season came in 1961 with Victoria in the Class-A Texas League. Tartabull led the league in runs scored and stolen bases, and he tied for the lead in triples. Those stats earned him a spot on the league’s All-Star team.

Debut in Major League Baseball

The San Francisco Giants traded Tartabull to the Kansas City Athletics before the 1962 season. People called him an “obscure outfielder,” but he impressed manager Hank Bauer during spring training with his defense and speed.

Tartabull competed for an outfield spot against Gino Cimoli, Bobby Del Greco, Manny Jimenez, and Bill Lajoie. His strong spring earned him the starting center field job when Bauer finalized the roster.

He made his Major League Baseball debut on April 10, 1962, as a defensive sub in center field. He started the next day against Minnesota, going 0-for-4 against Camilo Pasqual.

Tartabull picked up his first hit on April 12, 1962, with a single off the Twins’ Joe Bonikowski. In his rookie season, he started 67 games in center field and played in 107 total games. He finished with 310 at-bats and a .277 average, making a name for himself in the American League.

Major League Career Overview

Tartabull played nine seasons in Major League Baseball from 1962 to 1970. He spent time with the Kansas City Athletics, Oakland Athletics, and Boston Red Sox.

His career spanned a period of big change in baseball, including the Athletics moving from Kansas City to Oakland.

Teams Played For: Athletics and Red Sox

Tartabull started his MLB career with the Kansas City Athletics on April 10, 1962, at 23. He stuck with the Athletics when the team moved to Oakland in 1968.

He spent most of his career with the Athletics franchise, playing for Kansas City from 1962 through 1967 and becoming a reliable outfielder in the American League.

After the move to Oakland, Tartabull continued with the Athletics through 1969. He played in 75 games during the 1969 season with Oakland.

Tartabull also played for the Boston Red Sox. His time with Boston included a standout moment in the 1967 pennant race when he threw Ken Berry out at the plate to win a critical game against the Chicago White Sox.

His final Major League Baseball appearance was on July 7, 1970, against the Minnesota Twins. He played just 24 games in his last season before stepping away from pro baseball.

Statistical Performance and Skillset

Tartabull batted and threw left-handed, stood 5 feet 11 inches, and weighed 165 pounds. He played outfield for his entire nine-year career.

He was known for his defense. That throw to nail Ken Berry at home plate in 1967 showed his arm and accuracy from the outfield.

Tartabull’s stats show he was more of a steady contributor than a star. He held a spot on MLB rosters for nearly a decade, which says a lot about his consistency.

After he finished playing in 1970, Tartabull stayed involved in baseball. He coached in the minors and managed the Houston Astros’ Class-A Sarasota team in the Florida State League.

His legacy kept going through his son Danny Tartabull, who also played in the majors. The Tartabull family became a multi-generational presence in pro baseball.

The 1967 Boston Red Sox Season and Tartabull’s Impact

The 1967 season was a wild turnaround for the Boston Red Sox. They jumped from ninth to first place in one of baseball’s most memorable campaigns.

Tartabull played a key role in this “Impossible Dream” season, even though people often called his arm the weakest in the Red Sox outfield.

Role in the Pennant Race

After Tony Conigliaro got beaned on August 18, 1967, Tartabull became a regular starter in right field. He was part of a three-man platoon with George Thomas and Jim Landis.

His defensive limitations were no secret. Boston sportswriters often joked about his weak arm. One even joked that manager Dick Williams considered a three-man relay to get the ball in from right field when Tartabull played.

Still, Tartabull contributed to what Williams called a real TEAM effort. The Red Sox found themselves in a tight pennant race with Minnesota, Chicago, and Detroit through August.

Heading into the crucial August 27 doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Boston held just a half-game lead over Minnesota. Chicago and Detroit were right behind them.

Tartabull’s Memorable Throw Against Ken Berry

On August 27, 1967, at Comiskey Park, Tartabull made the play everyone still talks about. Boston led 4-3 in the ninth inning. Ken Berry doubled and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt.

Duane Josephson hit a shallow fly to right. Tartabull caught it and had to make a split-second decision with Berry tagging from third.

“Line drive go deep in web and I have trouble getting ball out,” Tartabull explained in broken English. “I throw all the way hard as I can because nobody on bases and I don’t worry about bad throw.”

The throw sailed high, but catcher Elston Howard jumped up to grab it. Howard blocked the plate and tagged out Berry for a game-ending double play.

“If I make good throw and keep it low, I feel I throw him out,” Tartabull said. “Then I saw the throw go high and I say to myself, ‘Oh oh.'”

Manager Dick Williams gave him credit, saying, “You can quote me: It’s the best throw Tartabull has made for us all year.”

That play kept Boston in the thick of the pennant race. People just call it “Tartabull’s Throw” now. It even inspired a science fiction novel by Henry Garfield.

Legacy and Influence

Tartabull’s impact on baseball goes beyond just his stats. His family connections and that unforgettable defensive play still resonate with Red Sox fans today.

His most lasting mark came from that crucial throw in the 1967 pennant race and his role as father to future MLB star Danny Tartabull.

Notable Relationships in Baseball

Tartabull’s biggest baseball legacy lives on through his son Danny Tartabull. Danny became a prominent MLB player in the 1980s and 1990s.

Danny enjoyed a strong 14-year career as an outfielder and designated hitter, playing for teams like the Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, and New York Yankees.

Unlike his father’s contact-hitting approach, Danny became a power hitter. He racked up over 260 home runs, a pretty wild contrast to José’s two career homers.

The Tartabull family stands out as one of baseball’s notable father-son duos. José’s experience as a Cuban exile who stuck with baseball gave Danny a foundation for his own success in the majors.

After he finished playing in 1970, José stayed in the game as a minor league coach. He managed the Houston Astros’ Class-A Sarasota team in the Florida State League, helping develop future big leaguers.

Reputation Among Fans and Peers

José Tartabull really made his mark with Boston Red Sox fans thanks to one unforgettable moment during the team’s “Impossible Dream” season in 1967. On August 27 of that year, he fired a throw from the outfield that nailed Chicago White Sox player Ken Berry at home plate, sealing a crucial win.

That play happened when both teams sat tied for first place in the American League. People still talk about that throw—it even inspired a novel called “Tartabull’s Throw” by Henry Garfied, which came out in 2001.

Red Sox fans still see Tartabull as a speedy outfielder who helped fuel Boston’s surprising pennant run. He could steal bases and come through with clutch pinch-hits, making him a valuable role player as the team clawed its way from last place to contender status.

His peers respected his work ethic and how seriously he prepared. Tartabull kept his skills sharp by playing winter ball in Venezuela, teaming up with other major leaguers like Luis Tiant and Bert Campaneris during the offseason.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

José Tartabull wrapped up his baseball career in 1970 after nine seasons in the majors. He shifted to coaching, helping develop young players in the minor leagues for several years.

Final MLB Season in 1970

Tartabull played his last major league games with the Oakland Athletics in 1970. He only got into 24 games that year, closing out a career that started back in 1962.

His career numbers show a .261 batting average, two home runs, and 107 RBIs. While he didn’t put up huge offensive stats, teams valued his speed and defensive skills in the outfield.

After leaving the majors, Tartabull kept playing professionally for two more seasons with minor league teams. That let him stay close to the game he loved a little longer.

Post-Baseball Activities

When his playing days ended, Tartabull stayed in baseball as a coach and instructor. He worked as a minor league coach, passing on what he’d learned to younger players hoping to make it big.

Coaching Career:

• Managed the Houston Astros’ Class-A Sarasota farm team
• Worked in the Florida State League
• Focused on teaching outfield skills and baserunning techniques

Tartabull’s coaching really mattered, especially since people knew him as one of the fastest baserunners around. His experience with the Red Sox during their wild 1967 pennant chase gave him plenty of stories and advice about handling pressure.

Net Worth and Personal Achievements

We don’t really know the details about Tartabull’s net worth after he retired. Players back in his day made a lot less than athletes do now, so most of them had to find other jobs once their careers ended.

His standout moment happened in the 1967 season. He threw out Ken Berry at home plate during a crucial game against the Chicago White Sox.

That throw helped the Red Sox in their pennant race. It even inspired a novel called “Tartabull’s Throw” by Henry Garfield.

Tartabull grew up in Cuba and made his way to Major League Baseball, which is honestly impressive. He managed this despite all the political upheaval in Cuba at the time.