Tony Pacheco

Who was Tony Pacheco?

Antonio Aristides Pacheco was a Cuban-born coach and scout in Major League Baseball. A longtime minor league infielder and manager, Pacheco coached in MLB for six seasons for the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros.

Born in Punta Brava, Pacheco got his start in American professional baseball in 1949 with the Class D Newport Canners of the Appalachian League, but by 1951 he was a regular second baseman for the Havana Cubanos of the Class B Florida International League, one of the most successful minor league clubs of its day. Pacheco's playing career would take him back to the United States' mainland after 1953, but he would return to Cuba's capital twice to play, then manage for the Triple-A Havana Sugar Kings of the International League. As a player, Pacheco batted .236 with 14 home runs in 2,825 at bats over eight seasons. He threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 ft tall and weighed 185 lb.

Pacheco managed in the Cincinnati Reds' farm system in 1958–1959, scouted for the Reds, then in 1961 became a scout for the expansion Houston Colt .45s. From 1966–1973, he resumed his minor league managing career, reaching Triple-A Oklahoma City of the American Association in 1972.