Kiko Garcia – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Alfonso Rafael “Kiko” Garcia built a solid nine-season career in Major League Baseball before he called it quits in 1985. He played shortstop and second base for three teams, but fans probably remember him best for helping the Baltimore Orioles reach the 1979 World Series, where he hit an impressive .400 in the Fall Classic.

Garcia grew up in Martinez, California. His grandmother gave him the nickname “Kiko,” and he became a reliable infielder, known for steady glove work and clutch hits when the pressure was on.

He started as a third-round draft pick in 1971 and worked his way up to starting shortstop for a pennant-winning team. That journey took a lot of dedication and grit. Garcia’s career had both high points and rough patches, like nagging back injuries and that unforgettable World Series appearance where he stepped up big time.

He spent his early years in the Baltimore organization and finished out his career with the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies. Garcia’s path mirrors the stories of so many players who succeed through sheer persistence and hard work.

Let’s dig into Garcia’s progression from California high school athlete to everyday major leaguer. We’ll look at his standout postseason moments and the challenges he faced during his decade in pro baseball.

His stats, including a .239 career batting average in 619 games, only tell part of the story. Garcia made his mark during some of the most competitive years in baseball—the late ’70s and early ’80s.

Early Life and Background

Alfonso Rafael Garcia was born on October 14, 1953, in Martinez, California. This small Bay Area city also produced legends like Joe and Vince DiMaggio.

His Mexican-American heritage and his family’s focus on education shaped his early years. At Ygnacio Valley High School, Garcia’s athletic talents caught the eyes of pro scouts.

Family Heritage and Upbringing

Garcia’s story started in Martinez, California, the seat of Contra Costa County near San Francisco. Both sides of his family traced their roots to Mexico, but they’d put down strong roots in America.

His dad, also named Alfonso, worked as a draftsman and was the son of Mexican immigrants. His mom, Christina Flores Garcia, was the second generation in her family born in the U.S.

English was the language at home, showing how much the family had integrated into American life. Garcia’s grandmother started calling him “Kiko” when he was little. “It has no special meaning,” he said back in 1979. “You know how grandmothers are.”

The Garcia family had five kids. Kiko was the oldest, then came brothers John and Joe, and sisters Sue and Chris.

His grandfather, Raymond Flores, played baseball in the 1920s, catching for future Yankees star Lefty Gomez. Flores even played against the DiMaggio brothers in Bay Area games, building a baseball connection that definitely influenced young Kiko’s future.

Ygnacio Valley High School Achievements

At Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, California, Garcia made his name on the football field before baseball ever took center stage. He played both quarterback and wide receiver, showing off his athletic versatility.

Most people in high school probably knew him more for football than baseball. His football skills really stood out.

But even though football was his main sport, Garcia’s baseball abilities still managed to attract pro scouts. He wasn’t even focusing on baseball, but his performance still caught their attention.

Local baseball mainstay Edmund “Babe” Atkinson worked as a bird dog scout and spotted Garcia’s potential. Atkinson gave the Orioles a heads-up about the young athlete.

Garcia’s success in both sports showed his natural athleticism. Playing football probably helped his hand-eye coordination and competitive drive, which later served him well in baseball.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Baltimore Orioles picked Garcia in the third round of the June 1971 amateur draft. That draft class didn’t really produce much for Baltimore, with just two other picks ever making it to the majors.

Even with a weak draft overall, Garcia’s selection was a big chance. The Orioles saw enough in the high school athlete to use a pretty high pick on him.

He had to adjust as he switched from a football-focused athlete to a baseball prospect. The pro baseball world was a totally different scene from high school, where football was his main thing.

The 1971 draft selection kicked off Garcia’s pro journey. Baltimore’s scouting department, following Atkinson’s tip, believed Garcia had the tools to make it.

His path from Martinez to pro baseball really shows the opportunities available to talented Bay Area athletes. The region’s deep baseball roots, including ties to the DiMaggio family, set the backdrop for Garcia’s own dreams.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Kiko Garcia played ten seasons in Major League Baseball from 1976 to 1985. He represented three teams as a reliable infielder.

He stood out for his solid defense, his ability to play multiple positions, and a World Series performance that fans in Baltimore still remember.

MLB Debut and Teams Played For

Garcia debuted in the majors on September 11, 1976, with the Baltimore Orioles, during a doubleheader at Milwaukee’s County Stadium. In the second game, he picked up his first big league hit.

Just eleven days later, he hit his first home run—a solo shot off the left-field foul pole against Grant Jackson at Yankee Stadium. That was a good way to announce himself.

The Orioles had drafted Garcia in the third round of the 1971 MLB June Amateur Draft from Ygnacio Valley High School. He spent five years in Baltimore’s minor league system before he got the call.

Garcia played for three teams over ten years. He spent his first five seasons with the Baltimore Orioles (1976-1980), where he had his best years.

The Orioles traded him to the Houston Astros on April 1, 1981, for outfielder Chris Bourjos and some cash. After two seasons in Houston, Garcia signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in March 1983.

He wrapped up his career in Philadelphia, playing his last game in May 1985.

Defining Skills and Playing Style

Garcia was mostly known as a defensive specialist, fitting the “good field, no hit” label. He finished with a .239 career batting average, 12 home runs, and 112 RBIs in 619 games.

He struggled at the plate and never hit above .272 in any season. But sometimes, he came through with clutch hits.

His biggest moment came in the 1979 World Series against Pittsburgh. He batted .400 (8-for-20) with six RBIs. In Game Three, he went 4-for-4 with four RBIs, including a bases-loaded triple that knocked starter John Candelaria out of the game.

Garcia focused on making contact rather than hitting for power. He led the Orioles with nine triples in 1979, which was a career high. He didn’t walk much—his career on-base percentage was just .286.

Back problems gave Garcia trouble throughout his career. In 1980, the pain really hurt his numbers—he hit just .199. The lower discs in his back were compressed, so he needed ongoing treatment.

Versatility: Positions and Field Roles

Garcia’s versatility made him valuable as a utility infielder. He could play shortstop, second base, and third base, giving his teams options and depth.

At shortstop, Garcia started out as backup to Mark Belanger, Baltimore’s eight-time Gold Glove winner. In 1979, he became the Orioles’ main shortstop, starting 102 games.

Manager Earl Weaver liked Garcia’s instincts, but said he had to work to polish his defensive skills. Garcia’s numbers showed he wasn’t quite an elite defender.

In 1979, he made 21 errors at shortstop, with a .955 fielding percentage. Belanger, in fewer games, made just three errors and posted a .990 fielding percentage.

Garcia’s arm and range were solid enough for the majors. He watched Belanger closely and later said, “They are right, because Belanger is the best. I learned many things from him about playing shortstop.”

Baltimore Orioles Tenure

Garcia spent his best years with the Baltimore Orioles from 1976 to 1980. He worked his way up through their farm system and became a key utility infielder.

He got his big break in 1979, when injuries to teammates gave him a chance for more playing time. That year, he delivered a stellar World Series performance against the Pirates.

Rise Through the Orioles System

The Orioles drafted Garcia in the third round of the 1971 MLB draft when he was just 17. He started out with the Bluefield Orioles that same year.

Garcia spent six seasons in the Orioles’ minor league system. He mostly played shortstop, but in 1975, the team tried him at second base with the Rochester Red Wings. That experiment didn’t last long, and he moved back to shortstop in 1976.

During his minor league run, Garcia hit .261 with 20 home runs and 229 RBIs. His steady play earned him a September call-up in 1976.

He made his MLB debut on September 11, 1976, in a doubleheader against Milwaukee. In the second game, he got his first big league hit off Jim Colborn. On September 22, he hit his first career home run off Grant Jackson of the Yankees.

Role as a Shortstop and Relationship with Mark Belanger

Garcia mainly backed up Mark Belanger, the team’s perennial Gold Glove shortstop. Belanger’s defense made it tough for Garcia to crack the lineup at his natural position.

In 1977, Garcia played in 65 games as Belanger’s backup. He hit .221 with two home runs and 10 RBIs and learned from one of the game’s best defenders.

When his playing time increased a bit in 1978, Garcia’s fielding limitations showed. On May 11, a ninth-inning error allowed the winning run to score in a 5-4 loss to Boston. The defensive gap was clear—Belanger made nine errors all season, while Garcia made 16 errors in 538.2 fewer innings.

Even so, Garcia brought valuable depth and sometimes filled in at second base when Rich Dauer moved to third during Doug DeCinces‘ absences.

1979 Season Highlights

Garcia’s best season came in 1979. Early that year, DeCinces missed 33 games with back pain, so Garcia saw more time at second base as Dauer moved to third.

When DeCinces came back, Belanger hurt his ankle and missed a month. Garcia stepped in and helped the Orioles go 43-21 during that stretch, taking a three-game lead in the American League East.

Garcia hit career highs in several categories in 1979:

Statistic	Career High
Games	126
At Bats	417
Hits	103
Doubles	15
Triples	9
Home Runs	5

He batted .262 with four home runs and five triples in 64 games during the injury-filled period. The Orioles won 102 games and clinched the division by eight games over Milwaukee.

Garcia shined in the postseason. In the ALCS against the California Angels, he went 3-for-11 with two RBIs, even after missing game one because his brother got arrested for hashish possession while scalping tickets.

His World Series showing against Pittsburgh was something else. In Game 3, Garcia went 4-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored in an 8-4 victory. He hit a bases-clearing triple off John Candelaria in the fourth inning and missed the cycle by a home run. Garcia finished the Series batting .400 with six RBIs and four runs scored.

Postseason and World Series Performances

Garcia’s postseason numbers across 11 games are pretty eye-catching. He hit .314 with 11 hits, 8 RBIs, and 5 runs scored.

His most memorable stretch, no doubt, came in the 1979 World Series against Pittsburgh. He hit .400 and drove in six runs, not bad at all for a guy known mostly as a light-hitting shortstop during the regular season.

1979 World Series Versus Pittsburgh Pirates

Garcia’s World Series run against the Pittsburgh Pirates really marked the high point of his career. He racked up 8 hits in 20 at-bats for a .400 batting average, tossing in two doubles and a triple.

He barely got a chance in the first two games, managing just one at-bat. But in Game Three, he took over as leadoff hitter and went 4-for-4 with four RBIs.

Garcia’s biggest moment? That came in the fourth inning, when he ripped a bases-loaded triple that knocked John Candelaria out of the game. This hit put Baltimore ahead for good.

He kept the momentum going in Game Four, going 2-for-5 and sparking the game-winning rally in the eighth with a leadoff single. His six RBIs in the series played a huge part in Baltimore winning the championship.

Pittsburgh scout Howie Haak called Garcia “the biggest surprise the Orioles have shown in the series,” and honestly, who could argue with that?

Impact in ALCS

Garcia ran into personal drama during the ALCS against the California Angels. His brother John got arrested right before Game One for allegedly scalping tickets and having hashish, so Garcia had to bail him out.

Even with all that going on, Garcia played well in the playoffs. He appeared in three of the four ALCS games, going 3-for-11 with two RBIs.

He started Games Two through Four after sitting out the first one. If John Lowenstein hadn’t ended Game One with a three-run pinch homer, Garcia would’ve come in as a defensive replacement for Mark Belanger.

His steady play helped Baltimore reach the World Series, where he’d really break out with the bat.

Comparison to Regular Season Play

Garcia’s postseason numbers looked nothing like his regular season. He hit .314 in the playoffs, way above his career .228 regular season average.

In the 1979 season, Garcia hit .249 with 5 home runs and 54 RBIs in 102 games. That World Series .400 average? Proof that he could turn it on when it counted.

He admitted he struggled in the regular season, saying he wanted to “show that I could play and I could hit” in October. Back problems nagged him all year, so his hot streak in the postseason felt even bigger.

The difference between his regular and postseason play really showed Garcia’s knack for coming through under pressure, even though most people knew him for his glove, not his bat.

Later MLB Years: Astros and Phillies

Once his time in Baltimore ended in 1981, Garcia’s career shifted. He spent four seasons bouncing between Houston and Philadelphia, mostly working as a utility infielder. He retired in 1985.

Houston Astros Experience

The Orioles sent Garcia to the Houston Astros on April 1, 1981, along with cash for outfielder Chris Bourjos. That trade took his career in a new direction.

During the strike-shortened 1981 season, Garcia played 48 games for Houston. He hit a .272 batting average with 15 RBIs in 136 at-bats, which was a pretty good bounce back from his rough year in Baltimore.

He even helped Houston in the playoffs that season, appearing in two games during the divisional series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Things changed in 1982. Garcia only played 34 games, getting 80 at-bats. He hit .211 with one home run and five RBIs.

Back injuries kept bothering him in Houston. He landed on the disabled list in 1982 with the same back problems that slowed him in Baltimore.

Philadelphia Phillies Contributions

Garcia signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in March 1983 after Houston let him go. This move took him to the National League for the first time.

The Phillies used Garcia as a backup infielder for three seasons. He filled in at shortstop, second base, and third base whenever they needed him.

He was part of the Phillies’ 1983 NL Championship team. The team made it to the World Series, but lost to his old squad, the Baltimore Orioles. Garcia didn’t get into any postseason games that year.

His hitting numbers with Philadelphia stayed pretty modest. His batting average usually hovered in the .200s during his time there.

Still, the veteran infielder brought experience and defensive versatility to the Phillies’ bench. His ability to play all over the infield made him a handy player for manager Paul Owens.

Career-Ending Season in 1985

Garcia started his final season not knowing if he’d even make the roster. The Phillies had some tough choices to make about their veteran utility guys in 1985.

On May 16, 1985, the Phillies released Garcia after signing another veteran utility infielder, Derrel Thomas. That move pretty much ended Garcia’s major league career.

He finished with a .239 batting average in 619 games. Over 10 years, he collected 351 hits, 12 home runs, and 112 RBIs.

After his release, Garcia looked into other baseball options. He joined the West Palm Beach Tropics when the Senior Professional Baseball Association started up in late 1989.

His MLB journey wrapped up after stints with teams in both the American League and National League. Garcia played for three franchises: Baltimore, Houston, and Philadelphia.

Career Statistics and Legacy

Kiko Garcia put together solid, if unspectacular, stats over his 10-year Major League Baseball career. He played 619 games for three teams. His biggest contributions came as a dependable utility infielder, and his 1979 World Series performance still stands out.

Career Batting and Fielding Records

Garcia ended his MLB career with a .239 batting average across 619 games from 1976 to 1985. He picked up 351 hits in 1,470 at-bats, with 12 home runs and 112 RBIs.

He also tallied 56 doubles, 16 triples, and 162 runs scored. Garcia drew 95 walks and struck out 285 times, which left him with a .286 on-base percentage and .609 OPS.

His best year came in 1979. He played a career-high 126 games and set personal bests with 417 at-bats, 103 hits, 15 doubles, 9 triples, and 5 home runs.

Defensively, Garcia posted a .960 fielding percentage. He mostly played shortstop, but he filled in at second and third base when teams needed him.

Impact as a Major League Baseball Infielder

Garcia made his biggest mark during Baltimore’s 1979 World Series run. He hit .400 with 6 RBIs and scored 4 runs in the Fall Classic against Pittsburgh.

Game 3 of the 1979 World Series was his signature moment. He went 4-for-4 with a bases-clearing triple, missing the cycle by just a home run in the Orioles’ 8-4 win.

As a utility player, Garcia gave three different teams much-needed depth. In Baltimore, he backed up Gold Glove shortstop Mark Belanger and played all over the infield throughout his career.

His steady presence off the bench helped Baltimore win 102 games in 1979. The fact that he could handle several positions made him a valuable piece for any manager needing defensive options.

Advanced Metrics and Accolades

Garcia totaled 4.9 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) in his career, which shows the value he brought to his teams. He ended up with 475 total bases and a .323 slugging percentage, so he didn’t hit for much power but made consistent contact.

He never picked up any big individual awards, but that 1979 World Series run is what people remember. Garcia appeared in three different postseasons with Baltimore, Houston, and Philadelphia.

He played during the late 1970s and into the mid-1980s, sharing the field with guys like Eddie Murray, Ken Singleton, and Joe Morgan. Lasting 10 seasons in the majors says a lot about his reliability as a role player.

As a Mexican-American infielder, Garcia’s career stats matched what you’d expect from utility players of his era, but his World Series heroics made him stand out just a bit more.

Post-Retirement Life and Influence

After he left Major League Baseball in 1985, Kiko Garcia stayed active in the game. He played in the Senior Professional Baseball Association and later built a business around coaching and developing young hitters. His post-playing years focused on passing down his knowledge through business and youth baseball.

Senior Professional Baseball Association and Orlando Juice

Garcia extended his playing days when the Senior Professional Baseball Association started in 1989. The league offered ex-major leaguers over 35 a shot at playing professionally again.

He joined the Orlando Juice as their starting shortstop. The team played at Tinker Field in Orlando, Florida, where the Minnesota Twins held spring training.

Garcia’s experience and leadership gave the Orlando franchise a boost. His MLB background helped legitimize the league and drew fans who wanted to see familiar faces back in action.

The SPBA only lasted two seasons before money problems shut it down. Still, Garcia’s involvement showed how much he loved the game, even after his major league days ended.

Business Ventures and Coaching

Garcia moved into business by opening a batting cage facility for the East Bay area baseball community. He set up shop near the Alameda County Fairgrounds, giving local players a place to train all year.

The place offered real instruction from someone with major league experience. Garcia’s World Series success and decade in MLB made him a draw for serious young hitters.

He focused his coaching on the basics—hitting mechanics and mental approach. Players got firsthand advice from someone who’d faced big league pitching and delivered in clutch moments.

Running the batting cage kept Garcia close to the game and gave him a way to build a second career. He blended his baseball knowledge and business sense to create something lasting.

KG Hitters and Softball Contributions

Garcia started KG Hitters, which he built into more than just a basic baseball instruction program. He wanted to go beyond batting tips, so he added fielding drills and taught game strategy.

Over time, KG Hitters turned into a travel ball organization competing across the region. Thanks to Garcia’s program, young players got a real shot at impressing college scouts and facing tougher opponents.

Garcia also took on the role of hitting coach at different levels of amateur baseball. He spent time working with high school teams and individual players who wanted to hit better.

He focused on proper mechanics and mental prep, which matched his own style when he played. His guidance opened doors for a lot of players, some even making it to college baseball programs.