The Phillies announced that former shortstop Ruben Amaro Sr. passed away on Friday in Miami, Florida at the age of 81. One week after Dallas Green died, the organization has now also lost the first-base coach of the 1980 World Series champions.
“As a baseball lifer, Ruben knew every aspect of the game,” Phillies chairman David Montgomery said in a statement. “He had a special gift for the sport and cared deeply for all of the people in it. We were blessed to know him and to love him.”
Amaro, a member of the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame, played for the Phillies from 1960 to 1965. In 1790 career plate appearance for the Phils, he hit .241/.315/.308 and won a Gold Glove in 1964 (and yep, he was part of that big collapse down the stretch).
The father of former Phillies general manger Ruben Amaro Jr., Amaro also served as a scout for the Phillies in addition to working for the Tigers, Astros, White Sox, and Cubs. During his playing career, Amaro made stops with the Cardinals, Yankees, and Angels.
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