Jose Oquendo is a former professional baseball player who spent most of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was born on July 4, 1963, in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Oquendo began his professional career in 1983 when he was signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent. He made his major league debut with the Mets in 1983, but he only played in 11 games that season.
In 1985, Oquendo was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he would spend the majority of his career. He quickly became a fan favorite in St. Louis due to his versatility and his ability to play multiple positions. Oquendo was primarily a utility player, but he played every position except pitcher and catcher during his career.
Oquendo's best season came in 1989 when he hit .291 with 5 home runs and 52 RBI. He also stole 11 bases that season and was named the team's MVP. Oquendo was known for his defensive prowess, and he won a Gold Glove award in 1988 for his play at second base.
Oquendo was a key member of the Cardinals' teams that made it to the World Series in 1985 and 1987. He hit .308 in the 1985 World Series, but the Cardinals lost to the Kansas City Royals in seven games. In 1987, Oquendo hit .357 in the World Series, but the Cardinals lost to the Minnesota Twins in seven games.
Oquendo played for the Cardinals until 1995 when he retired from baseball. He finished his career with a .256 batting average, 14 home runs, and 283 RBI. He also stole 45 bases and played in 1,338 games.
After retiring from playing, Oquendo became a coach. He spent several years as a coach in the Cardinals' minor league system before being promoted to the major league coaching staff in 1999. Oquendo served as the Cardinals' third base coach from 2000 to 2015, and he was known for his aggressive coaching style. He was also a candidate for several managerial positions during his coaching career.
In 2016, Oquendo took a leave of absence from the Cardinals due to personal reasons. He returned to the team in 2018 as a minor league instructor, and he currently serves as the team's infield coach.
Overall, Jose Oquendo had a successful baseball career as a versatile utility player who was known for his defensive skills. He was a key member of the Cardinals' teams that made it to the World Series in the 1980s, and he has continued to contribute to the team as a coach.
⚾