Benito Santiago’s trademarks was a rapid, on-the-money throwing arm and his selection of pitch-calling was well-liked by the Padres’ pitching staff. Born in Ponce Puerto Rico on 3-9-65 he broke into the majors with San Diego at age 21. Santiago started the season with Las Vegas Triple-A in 1986, where he nailed 49% of would-be base stealers and led the league with 655 total chances. Called up by the Padres in September, he lined a two-base hit in his first major league at bat off Houston’s Mike Scott, and eight days later belted a 10th-inning walk-off homer. In 17 games, he hit .290, with 3 doubles and 2 homers. In 1987 was an unanimous selection for the Rookie of the Year, when he batted .300, with 33 Ds, 18 Hrs, 79 RBIs. In 1988 he won his first of three straight Gold Glove Awards. |