Cesar Cedeno was a talented baseball player who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, and Los Angeles Dodgers during his career. He was known for his speed, power, and defensive skills, and was considered one of the best all-around players of his time.
Cedeno began his career with the Houston Astros in 1970, at the age of 19. He quickly established himself as a star player, earning his first All-Star selection in 1972. He continued to excel over the next few years, earning four more All-Star selections and winning two Gold Glove awards for his defensive skills in center field.
Offensively, Cedeno was a force to be reckoned with. He hit for both power and average, and was a threat on the basepaths as well. He led the National League in stolen bases three times, and finished in the top ten in batting average, home runs, and RBI several times throughout his career.
Despite his individual success, Cedeno's teams struggled to make the playoffs. He played in just one postseason series, with the Astros in 1980, but they were swept by the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series.
Cedeno's career took a downturn in the mid-1980s, as injuries and off-field issues began to take their toll. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 1985, but struggled to find his form and was released after just one season. He played briefly for the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers in 1986, but was unable to recapture his past glory.
Despite his decline in later years, Cedeno remains one of the most talented players of his era. He finished his career with a .285 batting average, 199 home runs, 976 RBI, and 550 stolen bases. He was inducted into the Houston Astros Hall of Fame in 1999, and remains a beloved figure among Astros fans to this day.
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