Major League Baseball Player. For seventeen seasons (1983 to 1995 and 1997 to 2001), he played at the shortstop, third base and second base positions with the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers. Born Octavio Antonio Fernandez, he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979. He made his Major League debut on September 2, 1983 and two years later (1985), he secured the starting shortstop position with Toronto. In 1986, he produced a career high 213 hits and achieved the first of what would become a five-time all star career (1986, 1987, 1989, 1992 and 1997). In addition to exceptional hitting, he distinguished himself defensively as he received the Gold Glove Award four-times. Fernandez proved to be a threat on the base paths and in 1990, he led the league with an impressive 17 triples. He was reacquired by the Blue Jays during the 1993 season and went on to experience a world championship with Toronto. During the 1993 World Series, he batted .333 against the Phillies. He contributed to an American League Pennant with the 1997 Cleveland Indians and hit .471 during the 1997 World Series. He ended his career with a .327 batting average for post season action. In 2,158 career regular season games, he compiled 2,276 hits with a .288 lifetime batting average. After retiring as a player, he served as a coach with the Texas Rangers. Fernandez, who suffered from kidney disease died of complications from a stroke.
Major League Baseball Player. For seventeen seasons (1983 to 1995 and 1997 to 2001), he played at the shortstop, third base and second base positions with the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers. Born Octavio Antonio Fernandez, he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979. He made his Major League debut on September 2, 1983 and two years later (1985), he secured the starting shortstop position with Toronto. In 1986, he produced a career high 213 hits and achieved the first of what would become a five-time all star career (1986, 1987, 1989, 1992 and 1997). In addition to exceptional hitting, he distinguished himself defensively as he received the Gold Glove Award four-times. Fernandez proved to be a threat on the base paths and in 1990, he led the league with an impressive 17 triples. He was reacquired by the Blue Jays during the 1993 season and went on to experience a world championship with Toronto. During the 1993 World Series, he batted .333 against the Phillies. He contributed to an American League Pennant with the 1997 Cleveland Indians and hit .471 during the 1997 World Series. He ended his career with a .327 batting average for post season action. In 2,158 career regular season games, he compiled 2,276 hits with a .288 lifetime batting average. After retiring as a player, he served as a coach with the Texas Rangers. Fernandez, who suffered from kidney disease died of complications from a stroke.
Bio by: C.S.
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