Retro Profile: Bo Diaz

Vital Statistics

Full Name: Baudilio Jose Diaz Seijas
Born: 3-23-1953 (Cua, Venezuela)
Died: 11-23-1990 (Caracas, Venezuela)
Height: 5'11" Weight: 190 lbs
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Position: C

Baseball Statistics

MLB.com
Baseball Prospectus
Baseball-Reference
Baseball Cube (minors)

Background (by BoDiaz1974)

At age fourteen, Bo played on a national champion Little League team that missed a trip to the Little League World Series when an earthquake devastated Caracas in 1967.  Three years later he was signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent. Diaz began his professional career in the 1971 Venezuelan season, yet had to wait to play with the Sox until 1977.  Unfortunately, Bo only got one big league at bat before the Red Sox sent him to the Tribe in a six player trade that included one Dennis Eckersley (eventually won 20 games for the Sox that year).

Diaz spent four years playing back up to Ron Hassey until an injury to Hassey left him with the starting job in 1981. Diaz hit .313 with seven homers and 38 RBI in 63 games and played in the All-Star Game. An injury, however shortened his season and the following year, he was traded to the Phillies. Bo thrived in Philadelphia, hitting .288/18/85 in 1982. Perhaps, the highlight of Diaz's career was the 1983 season which saw the Phillies go to the World Series by first defeating the Chicago Cubs to clinch the division. In the game, Diaz went 5 for 5 with a pair of bombs. The Phils then beat the Dodger to earn a date with the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. One could say that Bo Diaz had peaked in his career at that point as injuries kept him out of the lineup as did one Ozzie Virgil Jr., the following year. He was then traded to the Reds.

Diaz did have some productive seasons after being sent away from the Phils. In 1986 and 1987 when he batted 272/10/56 and 270/15/82 respectively. A highlight of his career occurred on 6/27/86 when Diaz managed to throw out Robbie Thompson stealing four times, which established an MLB record.

Diaz continued to play in Venezuela until his death in 1990. Few details exist, however the basic story is that he was killed when a satelite dish he was installing on his roof fell on him. He was 37 years old.

Bo Diaz continues to be a very popular figure in Venezuelan baseball.

Transactions

12-25-70: Signed with the Boston Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent
1971: Played in Williamsport (SSA), Greenville (A+), Winter Haven (A+), and Pawtucket (AA)
Started 1972 in Winter Haven (A+)
Started 1973 in Elmira (SSA)
Started 1974 in Winter Haven (A+)
Started 1975 in Winston-Salem (A+)
Started 1976 in Rhode Island (AAA)
Started 1977 in Pawtucket (AAA)
9-77: Recalled by Boston (MLB Debut)
3-30-78: Traded along with 3B Ted Cox, RHP Mike Paxton, and Rick Wise to the Cleveland Indians for RHP Dennis Eckersley and C Fred Kendall
11-20-81: Traded to Philadelphia in 3 team deal:
Philadelphia Received: C Bo Diaz
Cleveland Received: RHP Lary Sorenson, RHP Silvio Martinez, and RHP Scott Munninghoff
St. Louis Received: OF Lonnie Smith
8-8-1985: Traded along with Greg Simpson to the Cincinnati Reds for IF Tom Foley, C Alan Knicely, and RHP Freddie Tolliver
11-1989: Filed for Free Agency