Tony Taylor

Infobox MLB retired
name=Tony Taylor


position=Second baseman
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1935|12|19
Central Alara, Cuba
deathdate=
debutdate=April 15
debutyear=by|1958
debutteam=Chicago Cubs
finaldate=September 29
finalyear=by|1976
finalteam=Philadelphia Phillies
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.261
stat2label=Hits
stat2value=2,007
stat3label=Stolen bases
stat3value=234
teams=
* Chicago Cubs (by|1958-by|1960)
* Philadelphia Phillies (by|1960-by|1971, by|1974-by|1976)
* Detroit Tigers (by|1971-by|1973)
highlights=
* All-Star selection (1960)

Antonio Nemesio (Sanchez) Taylor (born December 19, 1935 in Central Alara, Cuba)cite book |author=Pietrusza, David; Matthew Silverman; Gershman, Michael |title=Baseball: The Biographical Encyclopedia |publisher=Total Sports |location=New York |year=2000 |pages=pg 1113 |isbn=1-892129-34-5 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=] is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. From 1958 through by|1976, Taylor played for the Chicago Cubs (1958-60), Philadelphia Phillies (1960-71 and 1974-76) and Detroit Tigers (1971-73). He batted and threw right-handed.

In a 19-season career, Taylor posted a .261 batting average with 75 home runs and 598 RBI in 2195 games.

Taylor started as a third baseman in the Giants organization, but came to the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 1958 where he was their starting second baseman in 1958 and 1959.cite web |url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/tayloto02.shtml |title=Tony Taylor Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-09-18] He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Don Carwell and Ed Bouchee early in the 1960 season. Despite the fact Philadelphia was a mediocre team, Taylor established himself and was named to the National League All-Star team that year.

A solid and dependable performer, Taylor holds the record having played in 1,003 games for the Phillies at second base, and his six steals of home, ranks him second on the Phillies' all-time list.cite book |author=Charlton, James; Shatzkin, Mike; Holtje, Stephen |title=The Ballplayers: baseball's ultimate biographical reference |publisher=Arbor House/William Morrow |location=New York |year=1990 |pages=pg 1072 |isbn=0-87795-984-6 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=]

In by|1963, Taylor hit .281 and collected career-highs in runs (102) and hits (182), and the next season, he made the defensive play that saved Jim Bunning’s perfect game. In by|1970, he hit a career-high .301 average with 26 doubles, nine triples and nine homers.

Dealt to the Detroit Tigers in the 1971 midseason, Taylor helped them to a division title a year later. A free agent before the 1974 season, he signed again with the Phillies and became a valuable utility man and pinch hitter for his final three major league seasons.

Following his retirement as a player, Taylor coached for the Phillies and Marlins. One of the most popular Phillies ever, he was inducted into the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame in by|2002.cite web |url=http://www.philadelphiaathletics.org/history/wall.html |title=Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society's Official Website and Online Shoppe |format= |work= |accessdate=2008-09-18]

ee also

* 1972 American League Championship Series
* List of major league players with 2,000 hits
* List of players from Cuba in Major League Baseball
* List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs

ources

* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/T/Taylor_Tony.stm Baseball Library]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/tayloto02.shtml Baseball Reference]