Ossie Álvarez

Who was Ossie Álvarez?

Oswaldo Álvarez González was a Cuban professional baseball player. He played two seasons in Major League Baseball, 1958 and 1959, for the Washington Senators and Detroit Tigers.

Alvarez played in the minor leagues from 1952 to 1957 in the Senators' farm system. Álvarez made his major league debut as an infielder for the 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 eight 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 leaving the major leagues, 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 in 1966. Alvarez scouted for the Pittsburgh Pirates after his playing career ended. He died in Guadalajara, Mexico on March 8, 2008.