#14 Jose Baez, 2nd Base

If you were an 18 year old kid in the Dominican Republic in 1972, what would you do if the Los Angeles Dodgers offered you a chance? Like anyone you would jump at the opportunity. That's exactly what came Jose's way. It would take some work, but Jose would work his way up to AAA with the Dodgers but hardly any hope of cracking the roster with Dave Lopes entrenched at second base in a top notch infield. Jose would be sold to the new expansion Seattle Mariners with a chance to play everyday. Jose would make the most of his chance taking the majority of time at second. Jose does hold the distinction of collecting the first hit in Mariners history. As the #2 hitter in the bottom of the first inning, Jose would collect a single to right field off Frank Tanana. After having a very slow start to the 1978 season, the Mariners would trade Jose to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later. Mr. Baez would never make it to the Cardinals, and would be released before the 1979 season. After spending two seasons between the Dominican and Mexico, Jose would hang it up as a player. Jose would do some time as a hitting coach in Fort Wayne in the 90's and also worked in the Nationals Dominican developmental system. Jose would eventually be fired by Washington in a messy situation involving players lying about their ages.