Pedro García (baseball)

Pedro Modesto García (born April 17, 1950 in Guayama, Puerto Rico) is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played primarily for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Milwaukee Brewers (1973-1976)

Garcia signed as an amateur free agent with the Seattle Pilots in 1969, and moved with the club when the team relocated to Milwaukee in 1970.

With the departure of Ron Theobald, Garcia was named the Brewers' starting second baseman for the 1973 season, and made his Major League debut on April 6, going hitless in three at-bats against Dave McNally in a 10-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Garcia earned his first career hit the next day, a home run against the Orioles' Mike Cuellar in an extra inning 8-7 loss.

As a rookie, Garcia hit .245 with 15 HR and 54 RBI in 160 games, as well as leading the American League with 32 doubles, as he finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting to Al Bumbry of the Baltimore Orioles. Garcia also led all AL second basemen with 27 errors.

In 1974, Garcia batted .199 with 12 HR and 54 RBI in 147 games.

In 1975, Garcia lost playing time to Kurt Bevacqua and Bob Sheldon, appearing in only 98 games, hitting .225 with 6 HR and 38 RBI, although he tied Robin Yount for the team high in stolen bases with 12. Garcia also led the American League with a .985 fielding percentage at second base.

Garcia began the 1976 season with the Brewers, where in 41 games, he hit .217 with one home run and 9 RBI. On June 10, the Brewers traded Garcia to the Detroit Tigers for Gary Sutherland.

Detroit Tigers (1976)

Garcia finished the 1976 season with the Detroit Tigers, as he played in 77 games, hitting only .198 with 3 HR and 20 RBI. Garcia also committed a combined 22 errors with the Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers in 1976 to finish with the second highest total among second basemen. On December 16, the Tigers released Garcia.

Toronto Blue Jays (1977)

Garcia signed as a free agent with the Toronto Blue Jays on January 3, 1977, and was their opening day second baseman for their first ever game on April 7. Garcia had three hits in the Blue Jays opening day victory over the Chicago White Sox, however, he struggled with the club, and on June 27, the Blue Jays released Garcia. In 41 games, he hit .208 with no home runs and 9 RBI.

Later career

After his time with Toronto, Garcia signed a contract with the San Diego Padres on July 5, 1977, however, he spent the rest of the 1977 and 1978 season with their AAA affiliate, the Hawaii Islanders. Garcia played with the Poza Rica Petroleros of the Mexican League in 1979, as well as the Mexico City Diablos Rojos in 1982.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube