On August 13th, 1962, Minor League infielder Bert Campaneris of Daytona Beach (Florida State League) pitched ambidextrously in a relief appearance.

Bert Campaneris made 6 Major League All-Star Games over his 19-year career. As an OAKLAND Athletics fan growing up, he was one of my favorite players. I collected his cards and had a picture of him torn out of either Sports Illustrated or Sport Magazine hanging up on the cork bulletin board in my room. The other players I had up there were Vida Blue, Brooks Robinson, and Daryle Lamonica.

Campaneris was born in Cuba in 1942. He was great defensively as well as at the plate. He led the American League in Stolen Bases 6 times. In 1968, he led the American League in hits. He was the prototype of a great Major League shortstop. He did all the little things right.

And, apparently he could throw with either arm! What an absolute stud. Another OAKLAND player that I am afraid will be forgotten over time.

Here is a quote the Bill James Historical Abstract about Campaneris:

“When Campaneris arrived in 1964, he looked like the future. He wasn’t actually the only good player on the team; we had (Rocky) Colavito and (Jim) Gentile and Ed Charles and Wayne Causey and John Wyatt. Dick Green, who would be a spear carrier for the Oakland dynasty, actually arrived before Campaneris. Even bad teams have four or five players who are as good as some of the players on the good teams. Campy was the one guy who mattered, the cornerstone. There was one game in 1966 that symbolized what he meant to the organization. Nobody else in the lineup got a hit; nobody else, as I recall, even reached base, but Campy went 4-for-4, stole several bases, and scored 4 runs. The A’s won the game, I think 4-2 or 4-3. There was a feeling of ‘hang-on’ Campy, we’ll get you some help.” – Bill James