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| Rafael Montalvo as a Houston Astro in 1987. Source: Wikipedia, Image cropped from a baseball card of Rafael Montalvo from the 1987 Jones Photo Tucson Toros set (May be subject to copyright) |
Recently, when I was researching the 1986 Houston Astros, I came upon the name of pitcher Rafael Montalvo, a name I had not heard in 30 years.
It took me back to summers at Henderson Stadium in Lethbridge when I was watching Pioneer League Baseball.
Game balls
The Lethbridge Dodgers were part of he Pioneer League, the lowest or starting level of the major league baseball farm system. They were the bottom team in the Los Angeles Dodgers chain, and went on to produce a lot of major league players, all getting their start in Lethbridge.
The Lethbridge Dodgers were part of he Pioneer League, the lowest or starting level of the major league baseball farm system. They were the bottom team in the Los Angeles Dodgers chain, and went on to produce a lot of major league players, all getting their start in Lethbridge.
We loved going to see the Dodgers. One of the things we always hoped to do was catch a ball from the game. That was difficult behind home plate because Henderson Stadium protected the fans with screens. The only open spots were down the left field line in some bleachers, where we usually had tickets, or down the right field line where there was an open field that doubled as the bullpen area for pitchers to warm up.
The home dugout, where the Lethbridge Dodgers sat, was also by the right field line. It was not very big, and separated from the non-field area by a short chain link fence. Often, players stood outside the dugout and leaned up against the fence. Sometimes they would talk to fans, who stood on the other side of the fence.
My cousin Carl and I went to a couple games together. One game, we met one of his friends from school and were hanging out behind the dugout. One of the batters hit a foul ball, and it was tailing down the right field line, obviously going foul. We chased after it, but Carl’s buddy got the ball.
That was as close as we came to getting a foul ball, but we maybe got something better.
One night, we were standing there, with some other kids. Rafael Montalvo was a relief pitcher who said hi to a lot of the kids. He must have heard us talking about trying to get a ball, because he casually kicked one of the balls they used to warm up, under the fence to this kid in front of us. That kid grabbed it and ran away.
Montalvo saw us looking at what happened, and must have seen the longing in our eyes, because he smiled and kicked a couple balls under the fence to us.
Carl and I were both so thrilled. It was awesome. Later, we were back at his house in Lethbridge and he cleaned the ball using a tooth brush. He was quite an artist so he then drew the Dodgers logo on the ball.
Sign your name
Another time it was autograph night at Henderson Stadium. The Dodgers were signing autographs, and Carl and I went over to Rafael Montalvo. I am pretty sure he got Montalvo to sign that ball.
Another time it was autograph night at Henderson Stadium. The Dodgers were signing autographs, and Carl and I went over to Rafael Montalvo. I am pretty sure he got Montalvo to sign that ball.
The Dodgers were handing out mini wooden bats, and we took ours around, and I got Rafael to sign that. I also remember a couple other players. There was Jose Ventura who went by “Joe”, and I am pretty sure he did not speak English. He still smiled and printed his name on my bat. Another player was beside him, telling a fan where he was from. I really could not understand him well, but I thought he said he was from “Beggersville”. I got his number, looked in the program and discovered he was actually saying “Bakersfield.”
But that was not the end of my experiences with Rafael Montalvo.
Summer fun
There was a period when summers were especially fun when my cousin Fred used to come to stay with us on the farm for a week, and later two weeks at a time. Later other cousins from Brooks also came to visit.
There was a period when summers were especially fun when my cousin Fred used to come to stay with us on the farm for a week, and later two weeks at a time. Later other cousins from Brooks also came to visit.
My parents were good hosts, so we used to do various fun things in Lethbridge, like going to Whoop-Up Days, eating at Bottomley’s Fish and Chips, and going to Lethbridge Dodger games.
That’s where our path crossed again with Rafael Montalvo.
By now, I knew my way around Henderson Stadium, so we walked around during the game, and went down to the dugout. Montalvo was still there and saying hi to kids – including us.
The next time we were at the game, we decided to try and get his autograph. I remember Fred saying softly, “Hello Mr. Montalvo,” and asking for him to sign the game program we bought, and he happily signed it. I had brought my baseball glove and got him to sign it.
It was all really cool.
The numbers
Rafael Montalvo played two seasons in Lethbridge.
Rafael Montalvo played two seasons in Lethbridge.
In 1980, he appeared in 14 games, pitching 31 innings, winning four, losing two and posting an earned run average of 4.94. He struck out 18 batters, allowed 37 hits and 17 earned runs, issued 16 walks, hit four batters, and threw four wild pitches.
In 1981, he appeared in 13 games, pitching 20 innings, had no wins or losses and one save, and posting an earned run average of 5.40. He struck out 11 batters, allowed 28 hits and 12 earned runs, surrendered one home run, issued 13 walks, hit one batter, and threw one wild pitch.
He would move through the Dodger farm system From Lethbridge to Lodi, Vero Beach, Albuquerque, and San Antonio. He also spent time at Tucson.
The game
He finally made it to the major leagues in 1986, as part of the Houston Astros.
He finally made it to the major leagues in 1986, as part of the Houston Astros.
On Sunday, April 13, 1986 in a game at the Astrodome against the Atlanta Braves, Montalvo entered the game to pitch the top of the eighth inning. He induced Glenn Hubbard to ground out to him, then got Ozzie Virgil to fly out to left field. Omar Moreno tripled but Montalvo then induced Rafael Ramirez to ground to him to end the inning. So he allowed one hit and threw out two runners from the mound who grounded out to him.
Montalvo walked Dale Murphy and Bob Horner to start the ninth inning and was replaced by Frank DiPino.
That was the first and last game Rafael Montalvo pitched in the major leagues.
He shares the major league record for the shortest career.
The Astros made the playoffs that year, winning the National League West Division before losing to the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series. Even though he played just one game, the Astros gave Montalvo a cut of their playoff money.
Parting thoughts
What I will always remember about Rafael Montalvo was just how kind he was to us. He chatted with us, and made us feel a little bit special. He was just a good ambassador of the game.
What I will always remember about Rafael Montalvo was just how kind he was to us. He chatted with us, and made us feel a little bit special. He was just a good ambassador of the game.
He may have only played one game in the big leagues, but he acted like a big leaguer from the minute he started playing rookie league baseball in Lethbridge.
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