Cookie Rojas Article Index for
Cookie
Website Links For
Cookie
 

Information About

Cookie Rojas




Playing baseball over the objections of his father who wanted him to be a doctor, Rojas was an All-Star for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1965 . As a Phillie, Rojas teamed with shortstop Bobby Wine ; the double-play combination parodied a popular song of the time as "The Plays of Wine and Rojas." By the time the Phillies traded Rojas to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970 , it appeared his career might be over. St. Louis traded the struggling Rojas to the Kansas City Royals , a team in its second year of existence who wanted a veteran presence to steady its infield. Rojas contemplated retirement, but went on to appear in four consecutive All-Star games (1971-74).

A fans favorite, Rojas lost his job as the Royals' starting Second Baseman to Frank White in 1976 , but stayed with the team for two more years, filling in at First , second and Third Base , and as Designated Hitter as well. Over the course of his 16-year career, Rojas played at least one game at all nine positions in the field, including Pitcher and Catcher .

Following his playing career, Rojas coached and scouted for various teams, and in 1988 he became only the third Cuban-born manager in major-league history when he took the helm of the California Angels , whom he guided to a fourth-place finish with a 75-79 record before being replaced that September. In 1996 , Rojas also managed two games for the Florida Marlins .

During the 1999 playoffs, while coaching for the New York Mets , Rojas was suspended for five games for getting into a shoving match with umpire Charlie Williams while arguing a foul ball call.
Rojas' son, Victor Rojas , provides radio play-by-play and analysis for the Texas Rangers .


EXTERNAL LINK






CURRENTLY, COOKIE ROJAS SERVES AS THE FLORIDA MARLINS SPANISH, (SAP), COMMENTATOR