Tony Eusebio

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=black
bgcolor2=#95322c
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Tony Eusebio
position=Catcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
debutdate=August 8
debutyear=by|1991
debutteam=Houston Astros
finaldate=October 12
finalyear=by|2001
finalteam=Houston Astros
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.275
stat2label=Hits
stat2value=479
stat3label=Home Runs
stat3value=30
teams=
* Houston Astros (1991,1994-2001)
highlights=
* 24-game hitting streak in 2000

Raul Antonio Bare Eusebio (born April 27, 1967 in San Jose de los Llanos, Dominican Republic) is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Houston Astros.

In 2000, Eusebio set a Houston Astros franchise record for consecutive games with a hit with 24, although the mark has since been surpassed by Jeff Kent and Willy Taveras. Because Eusebio was a catcher and did not play in every game, his 24-game hitting streak came over a span of 51 days in which time the Astros played 45 games. This was the longest time ever for a 24-game single season streak. [cite news| first=Duarte| last=Joseph|title=Astros summary|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=2000-08-30] The streak tied for longest in the National League in 2000. During and after his streak, Eusebio was often referred to affectionately as "The Astro Clipper" in a sort of mock homage to Joe DiMaggio, "The Yankee Clipper" and holder of the MLB record hit streak.

Career

Minor Leagues (1985-1991)

Tony Eusebio signed with the Astros on May 30, 1985 as an undrafted free agent. He started his professional career at age 18 with the Gulf Coast League Astros that same year, although he only played in one game and had one at bat. After a year break, Eusebio rejoined the Rookie League team in 1987 and steadily rose through the Astros' minor league ranks playing at the High-A Osceola Astros in 1988 and 1989, the AA Columbus Mudcats in 1989 and 1990, the AA Jackson Generals in 1991, and the AAA Tucson Toros in 1991.

First taste of the Majors (1991)

On August 4, 1991 Eusebio was called up from the Jackson Generals when Astros catcher Scott Servais was placed on the 15-day disabled list after sustatining a broken bone in his right hand. [cite news| first=Neil| last=Hohlfeld|title=Astros summary|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1991-08-04] Five days later, Eusebio would make his Major League debut, starting a game on August 9, 1991 against the San Diego Padres. [cite news| first=Jayne| last=Custred|title=Padres gain series split, winning 5-3|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1991-08-09] Eusebio would go on to appear in 10 games for the Astros, hitting .105 in 19 at-bats.

Back to the minors (1992-1993)

Eusebio spent the 1992 season at the AA Jackson Generals, appearing in 94 games and hitting .307. In 1993, he played at the AAA Tucson Toros, appearing in 78 games and hitting .324. While at Tucson, Eusebio compiled a 24-game hitting streak before being placed on the disabled list. [cite news| first=Michael| last=Murphy|title=Mouton swinging hot bat in Tucson|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1993-08-30] He would go on to set a Tucson Toros record by extending this hitting streak to 30 games during a rehab stint in 1996. [cite news| first=Carlton| last=Thompson|title=Astros Summary|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1996-06-18]

In the majors for good (1994-2001)

After hitting .625 during spring training in 1994, Eusebio made the Major League squad. [cite news| first=Neil| last=Hohlfeld|title=Eusebio, Hampton on roster|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1994-03-31] During the strike shortened season Eusebio hit .296 with 30 RBIs in just 55 games. His play was such that he won the starting catcher's job over previous starter Scott Servais, [cite news| first=Neil| last=Hohlfeld|title=Blockbuster trade breaks up the Astros|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1994-12-29] and garnered consideration in the National League Rookie of the Year race. [cite news| first=Neil| last=Hohlfeld|title=Strike also cut short several Astros' chances at winning postseason awards |publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1994-10-16]

In 1995, Eusebio appeared in a career high 113 games for the Astros hitting an all-time best .299 and posting over 100 hits for the only time in his career. For much of the year Eusebio led the Astros in batting average, although his production tailed off in September. Entering the 1996 season, newly acquired catcher Rick Wilkins was expected to get most of the work behind the plate with Eusebio reserved to facing left-handed opposing pitchers. [cite news| first=Alan| last=Truex|title=Astros' position-by-position breakdown|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1996-02-15] Compounding his diminished role, Eusebio suffered a left-wrist sprain in spring training and later spent over a month on the disabled-list due to a cyst that was surgically removed from this the same wrist. Less than a week after returning to the lineup, Eusebio suffered a broken bone in his left hand and missed another month and a half. [cite news| first=Neil| last=Hohlfeld|title=Eusebio's return could boost offense|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1996-08-08] Because of his multiple injuries, Eusebio appeared in only 58 games hitting .270.

Before the 1997 season, the Astros traded for catcher Brad Ausmus. After manager Larry Dierker made known his intentions to have Ausmus start a vast majority of games, Eusebio requested to be traded from the team.cite news| first=Alan| last=Truex|title=Astros' Eusebio can hit, but he's not catching on|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1997-02-09] Dierker would later agree to give Eusebio more playing time, although the manager made it clear he wished Eusebio would improve his defensive skills. However, as the season wore on, Eusebio would gradually see less playing time due to a nagging knee injury. His playing time would later be reduced to only catching when Darryl Kile pitched, and the injury would force him to have arthroscopic surgery during the offseason. [cite news| first=Carlton| last=Thompson|title=Eusebio to have surgery on right knee|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1997-10-05]

The 1998 season began with Eusebio in the same backup catcher role he occupied in 1997. After successfully recovering from offseason surgery, Eusebio made a noticeable offensive difference in the games he started. [cite news| first=Neil| last=Hohlfeld|title=Eusebio producing as backup backstop|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1998-05-27] After the season, the Astros traded away Brad Ausmus leaving a void at the starting catcher position. Expressing his confidence in Eusebio, Astros General Manager Gerry Hunsicker stated, "I can't make the Ausmus trade if we don't have Tony." [cite news| first=Fran| last=Blinebury|title=Eusebio provides catching safety net|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1999-02-26] Eusebio would split playing time with catcher Paul Bako during the 1999 season, ultimately hitting .272 and appearing in 103 games. Eusebio would also hit a home run in the last game played at the Astrodome, a 7-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves in the 1999 National League Division Series.

After the 1999 season, Eusebio became a free agent for the first time. In November of that year he signed a 2-year $2.4 million contract with the Astros and was projected to be the starting catcher. [cite news| first=Carlton| last=Thompson|title=Eusebio agrees to two-year deal|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1999-11-27] [cite news| first=Joseph| last=Duarte|title=Finances force Astros' hand|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1999-12-24] Eusebio started opening day, but as the season wore on his playing time was cut due to his low batting average and the Astros' commitment to new catcher Mitch Meluskey. [cite news| first=Carlton| last=Thompson|title=Astros at midseason |publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=2000-07-02] Despite this slow start, Eusebio's hitting picked up in the second half of the season. His hot streak culminated on 2000-08-28 when he hit safely in his 24th consecutive game, setting an Astros' record. [cite news| first=Joseph| last=Duarte|title=He's a machine / Eusebio, Astros teammates marvel at club-record hitting streak |publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=2000-08-29] This accomplishment brought him the most recognition of his career, but just a few days later Eusebio's season ended when he suffered a dislocated shoulder after a headfirst fall over the Astros' dugout railing. [cite news| first=Carlton| last=Thompson|title=Scary flip ends season for Eusebio |publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=2000-09-02] Shortly afterwards, Eusebio had successful surgery to repair the injury. [cite news| first=Joseph| last=Duarte|title=Astros summary |publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=2000-09-06]

Coming into the 2001 season, Eusebio's role as a backup catcher was solidified by the Astros' re-acquisition of Brad Ausmus. [cite news| first=Carlton| last=Thompson|title=Eusebio accepts role with Astros |publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=2001-03-15] Eusebio appeared in only 59 games, hitting .253. He played his final major league game on 2001-10-12 going 2-3 with a double and a run scored as the Atlanta Braves swept the Astros in the National League Division Series.

Kangaroo Court

In addition to his playing duties, Eusebio also ran the Astros' Kangaroo Court for many years. Although known as an easygoing person outside of the court, Eusebio presided over it with a firm demeanor. "No one got away from the court," Eusebio said. "It didn't matter how popular you were or how much money you made. In that court, everyone was the same." [cite news| first= Steve| last= DiMeglio|title= Clubhouse justice takes an odd turn|publisher=Baseball Weekly|date=2002-04-03|url =http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bbw/2002-04-03/special-kangaroo.htm]

Rockies, Expos playing attempts (2002-2003)

After the 2001 season, the Astros did not offer Eusebio arbitration and he again became a free agent. On 2002-01-04 the Colorado Rockies agreed to terms with Eusebio on one-year, $550,000 contract. [cite news| first=Mike| last=Klis|title=Eusebio could catch on with Colorado |publisher=Denver Post|date=2002-01-04] After showing up to spring training overweight and refusing to play with a minor league club, Eusebio was placed on waivers before the regular season started and did not play in the majors that year. [cite news| first=Troy| last=Renck|title=Vet catcher Eusebio is placed on waivers |publisher=Denver Post|date=2002-03-24] In 2003, the Montreal Expos invited him to camp. [cite news| first=Stephanie| last=Myles|title=N.L. Reports Montreal Expos |publisher=Sporting News|date=2003-02-03] After hitting .111 in spring training, Eusebio did not make the team.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/e/eusebto01.shtml Baseball Reference]
* [http://www.tonyeusebio.com TonyEusebio.com]