Ruben Amaro Sr., son of Mexican League baseball star, the legendary Santos Amaro, was known primarily for his defense and versatility as an infielder during his 11 seasons in the major leagues.
His father, Santos, was an outstanding player for the Nuevo Laredo Tamaulipas, Mexico professional baseball club named La Junta.
Ruben was born in Nuevo Laredo. Growing up, his father taught him the baseball fundamentals which helped develop the skills that made him a major league player. Primarily, a shortstop, he was capable of playing all four infield positions. He began his baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1958 at age 22. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, that same year, where he spent the majority of his big league seasons. Amaro’s excellent glove work during his six seasons with the Phillies made him a reliable substitute infielder. In 1961, his batting average was .257 and in 1964, .261.
After the 1965 season, Amaro was traded to the New York Yankees for shortstop Phil Linz. He spent part of the next 3 seasons plagued by injuries starting in 1966, after a collision with leftfielder, Tom Tresh, in his first week in a Yankee uniform. While in pinstripes, his teammates included Yankee superstars, outfielders Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, pitcher Whitey Ford and first baseman, Joe Pepitone, among others.
Amaro was traded to the California Angels in late 1968 and in his last season in the majors 1969, played all four infield positions. He also played winter baseball in the Mexican Pacific Coast League with such teams as Hermosillo, Culiacan and Ciudad Obregon.
After retiring as a player, he continued in the game as a scout, coach and manager. He served as coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, the 1980 World Series Champions. As manager, his Zulia team representing Venezuela, captured the “Serie del Caribe” “Caribbean Series” championship. Today, he serves as baseball advisor for the young ballplayers in Venezuela.
In 1986, he was elected to the Mexican League Professional Baseball Players Hall of Fame in Monterrey, Mexico. He joined his father, Santos, who was enshrined in 1977. In 2013, Ruben Sr. will share enshrinement honors with his son, Ruben Jr. as they are inducted into the Latin Sports Hall of Fame in Laredo, Texas. A father and son induction is a first for both halls.
Excerpt from 2013 Inductees Program