Cesar Gutierrez--1972
On This Date in Major League
History, June 21, 1970…
Not many ballplayers can say that they
had a season’s worth of hits in one
game... except for Cesar Gutierrez.
On June 21, 1970 in the second game of
a double-header against Cleveland,
Tiger shortstop Cesar Gutierrez went 7-
for-7 during a 12-inning affair. A
journeyman utility infielder, Gutierrez
garnered starting shortstop duties for
Mayo Smith’s Tigers in 1970, as Detroit
segued between Tom Tresh in ’69 and
Eddie Brinkman in 1971.
The offensive outburst against the Tribe
raised Gutierrez’ average from .211 at
the start of the day to .249 when they
finally turned out the lights of old
Cleveland Stadium, as the shortstop also
went 2-for-3 in the first game. For the
defensive-minded infielder the seven-hit
performance included a double amongst
all his singles, highlighted by his single
off Fred Lasher in the 8th inning to tie
the game.
By collecting seven hits in a game
Gutierrez etched his name in the both
the American League and the major
league record books.
Unfortunately for Gutierrez, he lost his
starting role after just one season, as
new Tiger manager Billy Martin inserted
defensive wiz Eddie Brinkman at short.
Gutierrez was limited to just 37 at-bats in ’
71 and collected only seven hits on the
season.
Editor's Note: Gutierrez hit .235 in 223
big league contests, while logging a .
255 fielding percentage.
(6/21/10)
History, June 21, 1970…
Not many ballplayers can say that they
had a season’s worth of hits in one
game... except for Cesar Gutierrez.
On June 21, 1970 in the second game of
a double-header against Cleveland,
Tiger shortstop Cesar Gutierrez went 7-
for-7 during a 12-inning affair. A
journeyman utility infielder, Gutierrez
garnered starting shortstop duties for
Mayo Smith’s Tigers in 1970, as Detroit
segued between Tom Tresh in ’69 and
Eddie Brinkman in 1971.
The offensive outburst against the Tribe
raised Gutierrez’ average from .211 at
the start of the day to .249 when they
finally turned out the lights of old
Cleveland Stadium, as the shortstop also
went 2-for-3 in the first game. For the
defensive-minded infielder the seven-hit
performance included a double amongst
all his singles, highlighted by his single
off Fred Lasher in the 8th inning to tie
the game.
By collecting seven hits in a game
Gutierrez etched his name in the both
the American League and the major
league record books.
Unfortunately for Gutierrez, he lost his
starting role after just one season, as
new Tiger manager Billy Martin inserted
defensive wiz Eddie Brinkman at short.
Gutierrez was limited to just 37 at-bats in ’
71 and collected only seven hits on the
season.
Editor's Note: Gutierrez hit .235 in 223
big league contests, while logging a .
255 fielding percentage.
(6/21/10)
