South Beach in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Tito Fuentes

San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 17, 2020

1. Tito Fuentes Marker

Inscription.
San Francisco Giants: 1965-1967, 1969-1974

Flashy Cuban keystoner was master of the double play, daring opposing runners to touch him during his pivot. In 1973, he set NL single season record for fielding percentage by a second baseman (.993). He was hit-by-pitch ML-record three times in a game (Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, September 13, 1973). His 656 at-bats in 1973 is fourth-best in Franchise history.

Erected 2008.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Hispanic Americans • Sports. In addition, it is included in the San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1973.

Location. 37° 46.754′ N, 122° 23.393′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in South Beach. Marker is on King Street north of Third Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gaylord Perry (here, next to this marker); Bobby Bonds (here, next to this marker); Willie McCovey (here, next to this marker); Jim Ray Hart (here, next to this marker); John Montefusco

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(here, next to this marker); Willie Mays (here, next to this marker); Juan Marichal (here, next to this marker); Randy Moffitt (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Also see . . .
1. Tito Fuentes (Wikipedia).

Fuentes played baseball with elan, style and flair. He pioneered the use of headbands, sometimes applying them on the outside of his baseball cap. He would approach the plate holding his bat by the barrel, tap it handle-first off the plate, flip it into the air and catch it by the handle, ready to hit. He was called "one of the most renowned hot dogs in baseball history" in Sparky Lyle's 1979 book The Bronx Zoo. Elan and flair was not always accepted by staid ballplayers. Pitchers would knock him down with inside pitches for no apparent reason. After one such event he came out with a great quote: "They shouldn't throw at me," Fuentes said. "I'm the father of five or six kids."

(Submitted on June 17, 2021.)

2. Giants Broadcasters - Tito Fuentes (MLB.com).

"... A former Major League second baseman who played for the Giants from 1965-74, Fuentes
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 17, 2020

2. Tito Fuentes Marker - wide view
The Fuentes marker is in the bottom row, second from the right.
saw big league action with San Diego, Detroit and Oakland. The Havana, Cuba native was initially signed as an 18-year-old amateur before the start of the 1962 season and was the last baseball player signed directly out of Cuba before the United States embargo against Cuba. A .268 hitter over his 13-year career, he was voted the starting second baseman on the Dream Team for the Giants 25th Anniversary team by San Francisco fans in 1982. In 1997, "23" was inducted into the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame...."

(Submitted on June 17, 2021.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 240 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on June 18, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.