A small, skinny player[dubious – discuss] at 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) and 160 pounds (73 kg), the Cuban-born Campaneris was a key figure on the A\'s of the 1960s and 1970s. In his debut with Kansas City on July 23, 1964, Campaneris hit two home runs, the first coming on the first pitch thrown to him by Jim Kaat. He is one of five players in major league history to hit two home runs in his first game; Bob Nieman (1951), Mark Quinn (1999), J. P. Arencibia (2010), and Trevor Story (2016) are the only others to accomplish this feat.\n', '

On July 23, 1964, Campy Campaneris was introduced on air by Monte Moore, announcer, by explaining a promotional gimmick by Charlie O. Finley, of Campy riding a donkey in from the bullpen.\n', '

In 1965, Campaneris led Kansas City in batting average (.270), and led the league in triples (12) and stolen bases (51), the latter mark being the highest total by an Athletic since Eddie Collins\'s 58 in 1914 with what were then the Philadelphia Athletics and breaking Luis Aparicio\'s nine-year run of the American League stolen base title. On September 8 he became the first ever player to play all nine positions in a single game. In 1966 he finished 10th in the voting for the AL\'s Most Valuable Player award after having a similar season at the plate, but playing more regularly at shortstop.\n', '

Return to Bert Campaneris Autograph Profile