Otto Vélez Notable

b. November 29, 1950 · New York Yankees 1973–1976, Toronto Blue Jays 1977–1982, Cleveland Indians 1983

Otto Vélez played for three clubs across 11 seasons as a designated hitter, opening with the New York Yankees in 1973 and closing with the Cleveland Indians in 1983. His longest stay was with the Toronto Blue Jays, from 1977 to 1982.

Across 637 games he batted .251, with 452 hits and 244 runs. He finished with 78 home runs, 87 doubles and 6 stolen bases.

He played 276 games in the outfield, with 512 putouts and 15 errors.

He hit three home runs in a game in 1980.

He was born in Ponce, P.R. on November 29, 1950. He batted right-handed and threw right-handed.

Honors

Award	Times	Years
Player of the Month	1	1977
Player of the Week	1	1979

Batting, season by season

Year	Team	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG
1973	NYY	23	77	9	15	4	0	2	7	15	24	0	.195
1974	NYY	27	67	9	14	1	1	2	10	15	24	0	.209
1975	NYY	6	8	0	2	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	.250
1976	NYY	49	94	11	25	6	0	2	10	23	26	0	.266
1977	TOR	120	360	50	92	19	3	16	62	65	87	4	.256
1978	TOR	91	248	29	66	14	2	9	38	45	41	1	.266
1979	TOR	99	274	45	79	21	0	15	48	46	45	0	.288
1980	TOR	104	357	54	96	12	3	20	62	54	86	0	.269
1981	TOR	80	240	32	51	9	2	11	28	55	60	0	.212
1982	TOR	28	52	4	10	1	0	1	5	13	15	1	.192
1983	CLE	10	25	1	2	0	0	0	1	3	6	0	.080
Career	—	637	1802	244	452	87	11	78	272	336	414	6	.251

On this day & linked events

1950

Born November 29, 1950

Ponce, , P.R.

1973

Major-league debut: Otto Vélez

Otto Vélez made a major-league debut on September 4, 1973.

1980

Otto Vélez's Three-Home-Run Game, 1980

Otto Vélez hit three home runs for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Cleveland Indians on May 4, 1980.

1983

Final major-league game: Otto Vélez

Otto Vélez played a final major-league game on August 7, 1983.

Image: Cleveland Indians, public domain