| Antonio Muñoz | |
|---|---|
 Muñoz at the 1978Haarlem Baseball Week | |
| First baseman | |
| Born: (1949-01-17)January 17, 1949 (age 76) Trinidad,Las Villas,Cuba | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| SNB statistics | |
| Batting average | .302 |
| Hits | 2,014 |
| Home runs | 355 |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Member of the Cuban | |
 Baseball Hall of Fame | |
| Induction | 2014 |
Antonio Nicolás Muñoz Hernández (born January 17, 1949)[1] is a Cuban formerbaseball player who spent his 24-year career as afirst baseman in theCuban National Series (SNB). Known as "El Gigante del Escambray" (The Giant of Escambray), he played withAzucareros, Las Villas,Sancti Spíritus, andCienfuegos.[2]
Muñoz won eight home run titles, and was the first player in the history of the National Series to reach 300 home runs. At the time of his retirement, he was the league's all-time leader in nine offensive statistics, including runs scored, doubles, home runs, total bases, walks and intentional walks.[3] His career home run record stood until it was surpassed byLazaro Junco in the 1980s.[4]
Muñoz was selected to theCuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014, and was awarded theHero of the Republic of Cuba byMiguel Díaz-Canel in 2024.[5] HistorianPeter C. Bjarkman described Muñoz, along with national team starAgustín Marquetti, as Cuba's version of theM&M Boys (Roger Maris andMickey Mantle).[4]Sports Illustrated writerRon Fimrite described him as a "left-handedTony Pérez."[6] AfterMajor League Baseball managerPreston Gómez visited Cuba in 1977, he reportedly said that the only thing he wanted to take back with him was "that big hillbilly in my suitcase," referring to Muñoz.[7]
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