1957 Topps - Willie Miranda

''He was the best defensive shortstop I've ever seen, and I've seen plenty,'' Los Angeles Dodgers manager, Tommy Lasorda

Guillermo “Willy” Miranda Perez played short stop in the big leagues between 1951-1959. He was the prototypical mid field position player of 50’s baseball. Short in stature, Willy was 5’-9” 150 lbs. He was a very solid defensive player but struggled at the plate. With 2119 plate appearances over 9 years he only managed 423 hits with 6 home runs. 

Prior to joining the Orioles in 1955 Willy played in only 241 games in 7 years with the Washington Senators, White Sox, St. Luis Browns, and Yankees. In his final 5 years with the Orioles he more than doubled his playing time appearing in 583 games. 

His standout season was his first with Baltimore in 1955, batting .255 with 124 hits and 38 RBI, and leading the American League in double plays.


Willy's Orioles Stats:   G: 253   W: 95   L: 75   PCT: .559   ERA: 3.12   SO: 918  IP: 1414