Major League Baseball Player. Born Paulino Ortiz Casanova, he played the catcher position for both the Major League Baseball's Washington Senators and Atlanta Braves from 1965-1974. He began his professional baseball career in 1960 when he signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians. He played ten minor league games for the Indians before being released by the team. He was picked up by the Indians again later in the year but was released again in April of 1961. He went on to play for the independent Indianapolis Clowns during the 1961 season and in September of that year, was signed by the Chicago Cubs. He was released by the Cubs in April of 1962 after playing two minor league games. In October of 1962, he signed with the Washington Senators and played in their minor league system for several years before being called up to the team in September of 1965. He would go on to play catcher for the Senators for the next six seasons. His best year with the Senators was in 1967 when he earned an All-Star bid and was tied for 21st in league MVP voting. After years of being successful on the field but struggling at the bat, he was traded by the Senators to the Atlanta Braves at the end of the 1971 season. He went on to play sporadically at the catcher's position for the Braves for the next three seasons before being released in March of 1975. While with the Braves, he caught Phil Niekro's no-hitter on August 5, 1973. He passed away from cardiorespiratory complications.
Major League Baseball Player. Born Paulino Ortiz Casanova, he played the catcher position for both the Major League Baseball's Washington Senators and Atlanta Braves from 1965-1974. He began his professional baseball career in 1960 when he signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians. He played ten minor league games for the Indians before being released by the team. He was picked up by the Indians again later in the year but was released again in April of 1961. He went on to play for the independent Indianapolis Clowns during the 1961 season and in September of that year, was signed by the Chicago Cubs. He was released by the Cubs in April of 1962 after playing two minor league games. In October of 1962, he signed with the Washington Senators and played in their minor league system for several years before being called up to the team in September of 1965. He would go on to play catcher for the Senators for the next six seasons. His best year with the Senators was in 1967 when he earned an All-Star bid and was tied for 21st in league MVP voting. After years of being successful on the field but struggling at the bat, he was traded by the Senators to the Atlanta Braves at the end of the 1971 season. He went on to play sporadically at the catcher's position for the Braves for the next three seasons before being released in March of 1975. While with the Braves, he caught Phil Niekro's no-hitter on August 5, 1973. He passed away from cardiorespiratory complications.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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