Ossie Alvarez

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=#c6011f
bgcolor2=#072764
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Ossie Alvarez
position=Infielder
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=October 19, 1933
deathdate=death date and age|2008|3|8|1933|10|19
debutdate=April 19
debutyear=1958
debutteam=Washington Senators
finaldate=April 26
finalyear=1959
finalteam=Detroit Tigers
stat1label=AVG
stat1value=.212
stat2label=HR
stat2value=5
stat3label=SB
stat3value=1
teams=
*Washington Senators (by|1958)
*Detroit Tigers (by|1959)
highlights=
*

Oswaldo (Ossie) Alvarez debuted as an infielder for the Washington Senators in 1958. In 196 at bats spanning 87 games, he batted .209 with five runs batted in. He was traded twice before the start of the 1959 season, first to the Cleveland Indians for veteran utility man Jay Porter. He then was part of a major trade involving the Indians and the Detroit Tigers in which he and two top pitchers, Don Mossi and Ray Narleski, were sent to the Tigers for Billy Martin and Al Cicotte. He appeared in 8 games for the Tigers, singling in two at-bats for his only other Major League experience.

The 5' 10", 165 pound right-hander was primarily known for his speed, having twice led baseball's Minor Leagues in stolen bases and, after his Major League retirement, leading the Mexican League in stolen bases with 27 at age 32 in 1965. He retired from baseball after two games with the Charros de Jalisco (Jalisco Charros) in 1966.

Alvarez died in Guadalajara, Mexico on March 8, 2008.

References

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/a/alvaros01.shtml Baseball-Reference.com: Ossie Alvarez]
*Obituary, "Sports Collectors Digest", Krause Publications, August 8, 2008.