Four Questions with...
Tito Fuentes


Check the bottom of this page for the other "Four Questions"



Tito Fuentes played in the Major Leagues from 1965 to 1978. He was a slick fielding second baseman that had some pop on his bat. Even though he played most of his career with the San Francisco Giant, his best offensive season came with the Detroit Tigers in 1977. That year he hit .309 with 190 hits and 83 runs.
Recently, I asked him some questions about his career. These questions were asked, and answered, over the phone. However, Mr. Fuentes did let me tape his answers. That tape is saved in the nBo Baseball archive.


Joe's Question #1: Who were some of the players that you followed when you were a kid in Cuba?

Mr. Fuentes's Answer: My favorite team was the Brooklyn Dodgers. We had a Cuban guy playing there named Sandy Amoros. And my favorite player was Jackie Robinson, because he played second base just like me and he broke the color line

Joe's Question #2:You are the second baseman on the San Francisco Giants team of the decade for the 60's and 70's. How does it feel to be on those all decade teams with some of your old teammates?

Mr. Fuentes's Answer:Of course you've got to be proud and happy that you lasted that long being in a position like second baseman or shortstop. Because of the wear and tear in those positions. I feel good. I don't know if it was the fans or the sportswriters (who voted) but it's something that they can not take away from me.

Joe's Question #3: October 2nd, 1971 the San Francisco Giants played the Pittsburgh Pirates in first game of the NLCS. You hit a two run home run giving the Giants a five to four victory. What was that game like for you?

Mr. Fuentes's Answer: That day I remember very clearly, my son was born a few days before. In the first inning, my first time up, Steve Blass struck me out looking. Next time up he struck me out again. Well, I came up the third time and we were down three to two or something. He got me two strikes and one ball and I hit the home run.

Joe's Question #4: During your major league baseball career, what are some of the things that you are most proud of?

Mr. Fuentes's Answer:The year that we won our division (1971) was unbelievable. You'll never forget your first game or when you got your first hit. Also when I broke my idol's fielding record, Jackie Robinson. That was in 1973. The record was seven errors in a season and I got six errors in that season, (Tito had a .993 fielding percentage in the 1973 season).

Two Bonus Questions!

Joe's Question #5: What was it like for you when you got your first hit in the Major Leagues?

Mr. Fuentes's Answer: When the Giants called me up I was doing very good in Tacoma Washington. They were coming up to a big series against the Dodgers. But they called me up to start playing against the Mets. I faced a left-handed pitcher named Miller and I hit a double off him. Then after that we played the Dodgers and that's when we had that incident with Marichal and Roseboro.

Joe's Question #6: What has it meant to your life being a major league baseball player?

Mr. Fuentes's Answer: Well it has done a lot of things. First even though I retired along time ago, I still especially in the Bay Area, get recognized. Mostly by people about your age of course will remember. Most of the kids don't know who I am. When I go to San Francisco, Pac Bell, most of the people recognizes me. And also that's the reason I got to meat you too. Because I am a former major league player. Plus the job that I have for Fox Sports as an analyst the last seven years, (Tito does the Fox games of the week for Spanish language network).



Other Player's Four Questions Interviews

nBo Baseball Directory

These answers received January 2003

All autographs shown on this page are from my personal collection and are not for sale.

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