Bert Campaneris played every position in one game including pitcher

Bert Campaneris 

nicknamed "Campy"

Dagoberto (Bert) Campaneris Blanco
Born: March 9, 1942, in Pueblo Nuevo, Cuba.


Position: SS, Utility
   (played all positions in a single game)

Height/Weight: 5'10"  160 lbs

Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Batting Average: .259


#FerrellTakesTheField

In March 2015, actor Will Ferrell played 10 positions while playing for 10 teams in one day during MLB spring training. The goal was to match the amazing feat of Bert Campaneris, while raising money to support Cancer for College. Campy played all nine positions during a single game, including switch pitcher ... 50 years ago. 


Campy played all nine positions in one game and 
was a switch pitcher on the mound

On September 8, 1965, as part of a special promotion featuring the popular young player, Campaneris became the first player to play every position in a major league game. On the mound, he pitched ambidextrously, throwing lefty to left-handers, and switched against right-handers. (source: Wikipedia)

Game summary

Kansas City Athletics vs Angels
September 8, 1965

Bert Campaneris plays all 9 positions against the Angels in a promotion to hype poor attendance at Kansas City. When Campy takes the mound in the 8th inning‚ the first batter he faces is his cousin Jose Cardenal‚ who pops out. Campy allows one run‚ and leaves the game in the 9th after a collision with Angels C Ed Kirkpatrick at home plate when Campy is catching. Rene Lachemann replaces Campy as catcher. The Angels win it in the 13th inning 5-3‚ with the win going to Campy's batterymate Aurelio Monteagudo. (BaseballLibrary.com)




Man of Position

Campy Campaneris, Kansas City shortstop, normally uses only one glove in a game but Wednesday night he was supposed to use nine. He was scheduled to play every position including pitcher against the Los Angeles Angels in a game in which he was insured for a million dollars by Athletics owner Charles Finley. (AP photo caption)

Campy posted a 9.00 ERA

In one inning of work, the ambidextrous pitcher allowed one hit, one run, walked two, and struck out one. 

Campy pitched with both hands in the minors

In a minor-league game while playing for Daytona, Campaneris pitched both left-handed and right-handed.

“I played all nine positions in (that) game and they wanted me to pitch with both hands, so I pitched with both hands,” Campaneris says matter of factly. 
(kcmetrosports.com)

Stealing Bases

Nicknamed "Road Runner", speedy shortstop Bert Campaneris led the American League in stolen bases in six seasons. Campy had 649 stolen bases over his 19 year baseball career. 

A utility player for the Yankees at 41

In 1983, at the age of 41, Campaneris returned to the big leagues as a utility infielder with the Yankees, playing for Billy Martin. He responded with a career-high .322 batting average in 60 games and solid defense at second and third base. (BaseballLibrary.com)

Coaching Baseball in Japan

"I wanted to play, but nobody picked me up, so I had to retire," he said. "I hit .322 (46-for-143) with the Yankees. I wanted to keep playing."

Finally convinced he was through as a player, Campaneris fruitlessly explored other avenues in an attempt to stay in the game.

"I also wanted to coach in the major leagues, but nobody gave me a chance," said Campaneris, who did get some jobs working with minor leaguers. "I coached two years in Japan, and we won the whole thing when I coached over there for the Seibu Lions." (SFGate)

Bert Campaneris Plays All Nine Positions In Game (Sept. 8, 1965)

Nine for Nine | billy-ball.com

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? / Campy Campaneris

Bert Campaneris Stats by Baseball Almanac

Bert Campaneris | BaseballLibrary.com

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