Oscar Azócar

Oscar Azócar
Left fielder
Born: February 21, 1965(1965-02-21) Soro, Venezuela
Died: June 14, 2010(2010-06-14) (aged 45) Valencia, Venezuela
Batted: Left	Threw: Left
MLB debut
July 17, 1990 for the New York Yankees
Last MLB appearance
October 4, 1992 for the San Diego Padres
Career statistics
Batting average	.226
At-bats	439
Stolen bases	10
Teams
New York Yankees (1990) San Diego Padres (1991–1992)

Oscar Gregorio Azócar (February 21, 1965 – June 14, 2010) was a Venezuelan left fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1990 through 1992 for the New York Yankees (1990) and San Diego Padres (1991-'92). Listed at 6' 1", 170 lb., Azócar batted and threw left-handed. He was born in Soro, Sucre.

Until 1987 Azócar posted a record of 14–5 with a 2.30 earned run average as a professional pitcher, but then switched to the outfield. Azócar was a classic example of the impatient hitter who would swing at almost anything and usually put it in play. It took him 100 Major League at-bats to draw his first walk. He normally obliged the pitchers by hitting whatever they threw, and his batting average dropped accordingly.

In a three-season career, Azócar was a .226 hitter (99-for-439) with five home runs and 36 runs batted in in 202 games, including 38 runs scored, 16 doubles, 10 stolen bases and 12 base on balls. Despite his free-swinging style, he had only 36 strikeouts in 439 at-bats (one every 12 at-bats). Azócar also used his speed selectively and never was caught stealing.

Azócar died in Valencia, Carabobo, at the age of 45.

See also

• List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball