Frank Taveras


Franklin Crisostomo Taveras Fabian, is a former Major League shortstop from to for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets and Montreal Expos.

Career

Pittsburgh Pirates

Taveras signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent January 8,, and made his major league debut on September 25, as a pinch runner for Willie Stargell in the fifteenth inning of an extra inning marathon with the New York Mets. After only four appearances, mostly as a late inning defensive replacement in, and spending the entire season in the minors, Taveras made the Pirates for good in. On August 5,, he hit an inside-the-park grand slam in the second inning of the second game of a doubleheader at Cincinnati. Taveras led the National League in stolen bases in 1977 with 70, and followed that up with leading the NL in times caught stealing with 25 in 1978.

New York Mets

Eleven games into the season, Taveras was traded to the New York Mets for Tim Foli and minor leaguer Greg Field on April 19. During his first season with the Mets, he hit his only career home run that actually went over the wall against Mike LaCoss. Coincidentally, it too was in Cincinnati. Taveras managed to play in 164 regular season games that year.

Montreal Expos

The Mets traded Taveras to the Montreal Expos for pitcher Steve Ratzer prior to the start of the season. With Montreal, Taveras made his Major League debut as a second baseman. He was released on August 13 after compiling only a.161 batting average in 48 games.