Angel Mangual, a 1972 World Series hero who played a supporting role on three consecutive Oakland A’s title teams, died Tuesday morning in his native Puerto Rico, according to multiple reports. He was 73.
Mangual spent nearly all of his seven-year career with Oakland after being traded by the Pittsburg Pirates in 1970. Mangual had been saddled with unrealistic expectations of being the next Roberto Clemente, the Pirates iconic All-Star.
Although never achieving stardom, Mangual cemented a place in both A’s and Major League history.
On October 14th, 1972, Angel Mangual pokes a pinch-hit single to win game 4 of the World Series! #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/lh89UMFo5P
— Amazin’ A’s Craze (@AmazinAsCraze) July 20, 2020
His bouncing, pinch-hit single through a drawn-in infield in Game 4 of the ’72 Series gave the A’s a walk-off 3-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Mangual’s game-winning hit was the A’s third pinch-hit in the inning, still a World Series record.
Dubbed “Little Clemente” before being shipped to Oakland for pitcher Mudcat Grant, Mangual also became baseball’s first Puerto Rican player to earn three World Series rings who wasn’t with the New York Yankees.
A career .245 hitter with 22 home runs during his 450-game career, Mangual hit a career-high nine home runs for the A’s in 1974, when they captured their third title.
We are saddened to learn that Ángel “Cuqui” Mangual passed away this morning. The outfielder was a member of the A’s dynasty that won three consecutive World Series championships between 1972 and 1974. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/nMbMYPpfbi
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) February 17, 2021
In a 2018 interview, Mangual said he was always appreciative of his time in Oakland, especially because of the support of teammates such as Reggie Jackson, Joe Rudi and Ray Fosse.
“I was hungry, and I found people who were willing to help,” Mangual told LaVida Baseball. “They were all good people. They came looking for me, offering their help.
“And to see them give me their hand made me feel like the proudest Puerto Rican in the major leagues. I felt part of the team. Every time we slapped five and said, ‘Let’s go,’ it gave me goosebumps. When people like that help you, it gives you the strength to keep going.”
