Diunte: After a World Series championship faded, Jackie Hernandez found a new life teaching the game
From SABR member Nick Diunte at Forbes.com on October 15, 2019:
Jackie Hernandez spent his post-big-league career helping to drive a new generation towards baseball prosperity. Hernandez, the starting shortstop for 1971 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, died October 12, 2019, in Miami, Florida according to his teammate Manny Sanguillen. He was 79.
Jacinto Hernandez Zulueta was born on September 11, 1940, in Central Tinguaro, Cuba, within the province of Matanzas. He seasoned his chops as a rookie with Almendares during the final season of the Cuban Winter League in 1960-61. Stuck on the reserve list, Hernandez didn’t get into any action but made a connection that led to his professional career in the United States.
Hernandez left Cuba in February 1961 for the United States via Mexico due to the efforts of Almendares general manager Monchy de Arcos. He was the Cleveland Indians chief scout in Cuba and secured Hernandez a spot within their organization. With de Arcos’ assist, he bravely embarked on a 16-year professional baseball career.
Read the full article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickdiunte/2019/10/15/after-a-world-series-championship-faded-jackie-hernandez-found-a-new-life-teaching-the-game/#2e78a8be4c77
Originally published: October 15, 2019. Last Updated: October 15, 2019.