| José Lind | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Lind with theKansas City Royals in 1994 | |
| Second baseman | |
| Born: (1964-05-01)May 1, 1964 (age 60) Toa Baja, Puerto Rico | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 28, 1987, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 29, 1995, for the California Angels | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .254 |
| Home runs | 9 |
| Runs batted in | 324 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
José Lind Salgado, nicknamed "Chico", is aPuerto Rican formerMajor League Baseball (MLB)second baseman and formermanager of theAtlantic League'sBridgeport Bluefish. He is the cousin ofOnix Concepción, another former MLB player.[1] Primarily asecond baseman, Lind was highly regarded for his defensive skills, winning aGold Glove award in 1992.
In 1982, Lind began his professional career by signing with thePittsburgh Pirates as an undraftedfree agent. He did not hit for much power as a prospect, totaling only fourhome runs in five minor league seasons, but his strong defense helped him ensure a place in the organization's plans. Lind made his major league debut with the Pirates on August 28,1987, and the next day the Pirates traded incumbent second basemanJohnny Ray to theCalifornia Angels, clearing the full-time role for Lind.
Lind would go on to play regularly for the Pirates for five more seasons, including the 1990–1992 squads that were the champions of the NL East. He never again equaled his rookiebatting average of .322, but he contributed a strong defensive presence, winning aGold Glove in 1992, which brokeRyne Sandberg's string of nine consecutive National League Gold Glove awards at second base and was the first by a Pirate second baseman sinceBill Mazeroski's string of five consecutive awards from 1963–1967. He also acquired a reputation for whimsical behavior, as one might expect from a man nicknamed "Chico" (Spanish for "Boy"). The photo on his 1991Upper Deck baseball card shows him jumping over the head of 5'11" teammateMike LaValliere, and he often surprised fellow players in the clubhouse by playfully brandishing one of the many knives he kept in his locker.[2]
In the ninth inning of the 7th game of the1992 National League Championship Series (NLCS), Lind committed a crucialfielding error that led to a come-from-behind victory for theAtlanta Braves. He did, however, receive aGold Glove award for his otherwise stellar defensive play that year.
After the 1992 season, the Pirates traded Lind to theKansas City Royals forDennis Moeller andJoel Johnston. His performance declined in Kansas City, and at some point, he began to usecocaine.[2] He walked out on the Royals in the middle of 1995 after his wife filed for divorce, and they placed him on waivers shortly thereafter. TheCalifornia Angels put in a claim, and he struggled to a .163 batting average over 15 games with them, before getting released on August 31.
1995 was Lind's last major league season. He finished his career with a .254 batting average, a .295on-base percentage, and a .316slugging percentage in 3,677at bats. Defensively, he recorded a .988fielding percentage, playing every inning at second base.
Lind's personal life remained troubled after his MLB career ended. Police were called to the home of his ex-wife, Lizza Lind, in July 1996, when he visited in violation of arestraining order and the situation escalated to physical violence, which was witnessed by his daughters. They arrested him for possession of cocaine, and he pleaded guilty to that charge in February of the next year.[2]
On November 21, 1997, highway police inTampa, Florida stopped Lind forleaving the scene of an accident. They discovered that he was visibly intoxicated and that he had been driving while naked from the waist down. A search of his car revealed seven cans of beer and one gram of cocaine. Lind ended up spending a year in jail.[2]
Lind underwent rehabilitation for his addiction, and after his release from prison he signed with theBridgeport Bluefish as aplayer-coach. When managerDuffy Dyer left to take a position with theNew York Mets in February 2003, Lind was promoted to fill the vacant position.
He managed the team to two second places finishes in three seasons before a 55–85 record in 2005 resulted in his dismissal. He went 200–192 as manager. He was replaced as manager of Bridgeport by former MLB pitcherDave LaPoint.[3]