# Cookie Rojas

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Cuban baseball player and manager (born 1939)

In this [Hispanic American name](/source/Hispanic_American_name), the first or paternal [surname](/source/Surname) is *Rojas* and the second or maternal family name is *Rivas*.

Baseball player

Cookie Rojas Rojas with the Kansas City Royals in 1974 Second baseman / Manager Born: (1939-03-06) March 6, 1939 (age 87) Havana, Cuba Batted: Right Threw: Right MLB debut April 10, 1962, for the Cincinnati Reds Last MLB appearance October 1, 1977, for the Kansas City Royals MLB statistics Batting average .263 Home runs 54 Runs batted in 593 Managerial record 76–79 Winning % .490 Stats at Baseball Reference Managerial record at Baseball Reference Teams As player Cincinnati Reds (1962) Philadelphia Phillies (1963–1969) St. Louis Cardinals (1970) Kansas City Royals (1970–1977) As manager California Angels (1988) Florida Marlins (1996) As coach Chicago Cubs (1978–1981) Florida Marlins (1993–1996) New York Mets (1997–2000) Toronto Blue Jays (2001–2002) Career highlights and awards 5× All-Star (1965, 1971–1974) Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame

**Octavio Víctor "Cookie" Rojas Rivas** (born March 6, 1939), is a Cuban-American former professional [baseball](/source/Baseball) player, [coach](/source/Coach_(baseball)), [manager](/source/Manager_(baseball)) and current television [sports presenter](/source/Sports_presenter). He played in [Major League Baseball](/source/Major_League_Baseball) as a [second baseman](/source/Second_baseman) and [outfielder](/source/Outfielder) from [1962](/source/1962_Major_League_Baseball_season) to [1977](/source/1977_Major_League_Baseball_season), most prominently for the [Philadelphia Phillies](/source/Philadelphia_Phillies) where he first became an [All-Star](/source/Major_League_Baseball_All-Star_Game) player, and later with the [Kansas City Royals](/source/Kansas_City_Royals) where his veteran experience and leadership played an integral role in helping the young Royals franchise develop into a championship team.[1]

Although Rojas began his career as a second baseman, he was an extremely versatile athlete who could play any [defensive position](/source/Baseball_positions).[2] He was named to four consecutive American League (AL) All-Star teams (1971-74) during his tenure with Kansas City and led the AL in [fielding percentage](/source/Fielding_percentage) in [1971](/source/1971_in_baseball), including a 52-game errorless streak as a second baseman.[1]

After his playing career, Rojas worked as a coach for the [Chicago Cubs](/source/Chicago_Cubs) and the [California Angels](/source/California_Angels) before he became the manager of the Angels in 1988. He later worked as a coach for the [Florida Marlins](/source/Florida_Marlins), [New York Mets](/source/New_York_Mets) and the [Toronto Blue Jays](/source/Toronto_Blue_Jays), participating in his first [World Series](/source/World_Series) with the Mets in [2000](/source/2000_World_Series).

In 2003, Rojas began working for the [Miami Marlins](/source/Miami_Marlins) on their Spanish-language telecasts as a [color commentator](/source/Color_commentator).[2] In [1987](/source/1987_in_baseball), he was inducted into the [Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame](/source/Kansas_City_Royals_Hall_of_Fame), and he was inducted into the [Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame](/source/Hispanic_Heritage_Baseball_Museum_Hall_of_Fame) in 2011.[1]

## Early life and minor leagues

Playing baseball over the objections of his father, who wanted him to be a doctor, Rojas signed his first [professional baseball](/source/Professional_baseball) contract with the Cincinnati Reds as a 17-year-old amateur free agent prior to the start of the 1956 season.[3][4] Rojas was then assigned to Cincinnati's D-level team, the [West Palm Beach Sun Chiefs](/source/West_Palm_Beach_Sun_Chiefs) in the [Florida State League](/source/Florida_State_League).[5]

From 1957 to 1959, Rojas would make steady progress through the Reds' minor league system, playing for the [Wausau Lumberjacks](/source/Wausau_Lumberjacks) in the C-level [Northern League](/source/Northern_League_(baseball%2C_1902%E2%80%9371)) in 1957, the [Savannah Redlegs](/source/Savannah_Redlegs) in the Single A [Sally League](/source/South_Atlantic_League_(1904%E2%80%931963)) in 1958, before coming home and playing for the [Havana Sugar Kings](/source/Havana_Sugar_Kings) in the AAA [International League](/source/International_League). His advancement through the system was steady despite his batting average falling every year between 1956 and 1960, finally bottoming out at .225.

Although he possessed an above-average glove, the Reds were not sure he'd ever hit enough to play regularly in the majors. Consequently, he would spend the next three seasons at AAA, playing for Havana and the [Jersey City Jerseys](/source/Jersey_City_Jerseys), where he would continue to struggle with his bat while being blocked in the majors by superior Reds' second basemen in All Stars [Johnny Temple](/source/Johnny_Temple), [Billy Martin](/source/Billy_Martin), and [Don Blasingame](/source/Don_Blasingame). Rojas would finally go north with the Reds at the beginning of the 1962 season and would make his major league debut on April 10. However, he would continue to show little at the plate, hitting .221 with only 2 extra base hits in 78 at bats, and would be sent down to the AAA [Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs](/source/Dallas-Fort_Worth_Spurs) for the remainder of the season.

## Major league career

After the 1962 season, Rojas was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for relief pitcher [Jim Owens](/source/Jim_Owens_(baseball)). Although the Phillies already had an All-Star second baseman in fellow Cuban [Tony Taylor](/source/Tony_Taylor_(baseball)), Rojas had seen the last of the minor leagues and would man second in 27 games in 1963. Although he became the regular Phillies second baseman in 1965,[6] Rojas would go on to play at every fielding position, including catcher and pitcher, but would see the bulk of his playing time in the outfield and shortstop in addition to second base. Getting more playing time helped improve his batting, as Rojas hit .291 in 1964 and a career-high .303 in 1965, when he was named to his first [All-Star](/source/Major_League_Baseball_All-Star_Game) team. With the Phillies, Rojas teamed with shortstop [Bobby Wine](/source/Bobby_Wine) in a stellar double-play combination media and fans began to refer as "The Plays of Wine and Rojas", a takeoff of the popular song, "[The Days of Wine and Roses](/source/Days_of_Wine_and_Roses_(song))".[3]

Rojas with the Kansas City Royals

Following the 1969 season in which Rojas hit only .228 and hot prospect [Denny Doyle](/source/Denny_Doyle) tore through AAA with a .310 average, the Phillies decided to include him in a blockbuster trade sending slugging first baseman [Dick Allen](/source/Dick_Allen) and right-handed pitcher [Jerry Johnson](/source/Jerry_Johnson_(baseball)) to the [St. Louis Cardinals](/source/St._Louis_Cardinals) for centerfielder [Curt Flood](/source/Curt_Flood), catcher [Tim McCarver](/source/Tim_McCarver), outfielder [Byron Browne](/source/Byron_Browne_(baseball)), and left-handed pitcher [Joe Hoerner](/source/Joe_Hoerner), the trade that led ultimately to Major League baseball [free agency](/source/Flood_v._Kuhn).

By the time the Phillies traded Rojas to the Cardinals in 1970, it appeared his career might be over, as he was hitting only .106 going into the June trading deadline. St. Louis in turn traded him to the Kansas City Royals for [outfielder](/source/Outfielder)/[third baseman](/source/Third_baseman) [Fred Rico](/source/Fred_Rico) on June 13. Kansas City, a team in only its second year of existence, wanted a veteran presence to steady its infield, and in return for the career–minor leaguer Rico, the Royals gained a player who would man second base for most of the next eight seasons and appear in four consecutive All-Star games from 1971 to 1974.

In April 1970, at least one news report mistakenly said Rojas was critically injured in an auto accident. In fact it was former major leaguer [Minnie Rojas](/source/Minnie_Rojas).[7] In the [1972 All-Star Game](/source/1972_Major_League_Baseball_All-Star_Game) in Atlanta, he hit a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the eighth inning, which was the first time that a non-American-born player had ever homered for the [American League](/source/American_League) in the mid-summer classic.

Though a fan favorite,[3] Rojas lost his job as the Royals' starting [second baseman](/source/Second_baseman) to [Frank White](/source/Frank_White_(baseball_player)) in 1976, who was much younger than the 37-year-old Rojas and both hit and fielded better than Rojas.[3] Remaining with the team for two more years, Rojas filled a utility role with the team, playing at [first](/source/First_baseman), second and [third base](/source/Third_baseman), and [designated hitter](/source/Designated_hitter). After being released by the team after the 1977 season, Rojas spent 1978 on the sidelines. Despite signing with the [Chicago Cubs](/source/Chicago_Cubs) on September 1, he did not get into a game with the team and retired from baseball.

Rojas is currently in second place on the Royals all-time list of games played at second base with 789, second only to White.[8]

## Career statistics

Years Games PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG FLD% 16 1,822 6,871 6,309 713 1,660 254 25 54 593 396 489 .263 .306 .337 .982

His main position was second base, recording a .984 [fielding percentage](/source/Fielding_percentage) in 1,445 games at that position. He has played all other infield (including catcher) and outfield positions as well.

## Coaching career

After his playing career, Rojas coached and scouted for various teams. From 1978 to 1981 he was a coach for the [Chicago Cubs](/source/Chicago_Cubs). In 1988, he became only the third Cuban-born manager in major-league history when he took the helm of the [California Angels](/source/Los_Angeles_Angels_of_Anaheim), whom he had guided to fourth place with a 75–79 record before being replaced with [Moose Stubing](/source/Moose_Stubing) with eight games left in the season (with the Angels losing all eight games). In 1996, Rojas managed one game for the [Florida Marlins](/source/Florida_Marlins) after manager [Rene Lachemann](/source/Rene_Lachemann) was fired before [John Boles](/source/John_Boles_(baseball)) finished the season for the Marlins.

During the 1999 playoffs, while coaching third base for the [New York Mets](/source/New_York_Mets), Rojas was suspended for five games for getting into a shoving match with umpire [Charlie Williams](/source/Charlie_Williams_(umpire)) while arguing a foul ball call.[9] Rojas also served as the team's third base coach during the [2000 season](/source/2000_New_York_Mets_season), in which they appeared in the [World Series](/source/2000_World_Series).[10] From 2001 to 2002 he was bench coach with the [Toronto Blue Jays](/source/Toronto_Blue_Jays) and was unofficial manager for 3 games in 2001.

For the 2002 season, Rojas was third base coach for the [Toronto Blue Jays](/source/Toronto_Blue_Jays).

## Personal life

Rojas' second youngest son, [Victor](/source/Victor_Rojas), was previously the lead play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Angels, and is now the general manager of the [Frisco RoughRiders](/source/Frisco_RoughRiders). His second-oldest son, [Mike](/source/Mike_Rojas), is a minor league manager and former MLB bullpen coach for the [Detroit Tigers](/source/Detroit_Tigers) and [Seattle Mariners](/source/Seattle_Mariners).

In 2011, he was inducted into the [Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame](/source/Hispanic_Heritage_Baseball_Museum_Hall_of_Fame).

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cookie_Rojas_at_the_Kansas_City_Royals_Hall_of_Fame_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cookie_Rojas_at_the_Kansas_City_Royals_Hall_of_Fame_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Cookie_Rojas_at_the_Kansas_City_Royals_Hall_of_Fame_1-2) ["Cookie Rojas at the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame"](https://www.mlb.com/royals/hall-of-fame/members/cookie-rojas). *mlb.com*. Retrieved November 22, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sabrbio_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sabrbio_2-1) Gordon, Peter M. ["Cookie Rojas Baseball BioProject"](https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/cookie-rojas/). *[Society for American Baseball Research](/source/Society_for_American_Baseball_Research)*. Retrieved November 22, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-hardballtimes.com_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-hardballtimes.com_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-hardballtimes.com_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-hardballtimes.com_3-3) ["Card Corner: 1971 Topps, Cookie Rojas - The Hardball Times"](http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/card-corner-1971-topps-cookie-rojas/). *www.hardballtimes.com*. March 11, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Cookie Rojas Stats - Baseball-Reference.com"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rojasco01.shtml). *Baseball-Reference.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Cookie Rojas Minor Leagues Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=rojas-002oct). *Baseball-Reference.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["1965 Philadelphia Phillies Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1965.shtml). *Baseball-Reference.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["St. Petersburg Times - Google News Archive Search"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rPsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=7119,1071603&dq=minnie+rojas+paralyzed&hl=en). *news.google.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["The 100 Greatest Royals of All-Time - #70 Carlos Febles"](http://www.royalsreview.com/story/2008/1/23/95133/5731). January 23, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Mets' Rojas Suspended For 5"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mets-rojas-suspended-for-5/). *CBS News*. AP. October 11, 1999.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Cookie Rojas bio](http://www.sunsportstv.com/talents.jhtml?method=view&talent.id=27) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061118104413/http://www.sunsportstv.com/talents.jhtml?method=view&talent.id=27) November 18, 2006, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

## External links

- Career statistics from [MLB](https://www.mlb.com/player/121406) · [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/26916) · [Baseball Reference](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rojasco01.shtml) · [Fangraphs](https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1011152) · [Baseball Reference (Minors)](https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=rojas-002oct) · [Retrosheet](https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/R/Projac101.htm) · [Baseball Almanac](https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=rojasco01)

- [Cookie Rojas managerial career statistics](https://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/rojasco01.shtml) at [Baseball-Reference.com](/source/Baseball_Reference)

- [Cookie Rojas](https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/0c6cd3b5) at the [SABR Baseball Biography Project](/source/Society_for_American_Baseball_Research#Projects_and_collections)

- [Cookie Rojas](https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=rojasco01) at Baseball Almanac

Sporting positions Preceded by Jack Bloomfield Chicago Cubs first base coach 1978–1980 Succeeded by Gene Clines Preceded by Joey Amalfitano Chicago Cubs third base coach 1981 Succeeded by Gordon Mackenzie Preceded by Franchise established Florida Marlins third base coach 1993–1996 Succeeded by Rich Donnelly Preceded by Mike Cubbage New York Mets third base coach 1997–2000 Succeeded by John Stearns Preceded by Lee Elia Toronto Blue Jays bench coach 2001–2002 Succeeded by n/a

v t e Los Angeles Angels managers Bill Rigney (1961–1969) Lefty Phillips (1969–1971) Del Rice (1972) Bobby Winkles (1973–1974) Whitey Herzog (1974) Dick Williams (1974–1976) Norm Sherry (1976–1977) Dave Garcia (1977–1978) Jim Fregosi (1978–1981) Gene Mauch (1981–1982) John McNamara (1983–1984) Gene Mauch (1985–1987) Cookie Rojas (1988) Moose Stubing (1988) Doug Rader (1989–1991) Buck Rodgers (1991–1992) Marcel Lachemann (1992) John Wathan (1992) Buck Rodgers (1993–1994) Marcel Lachemann (1994–1996) John McNamara (1996) Joe Maddon (1996) Terry Collins (1997–1999) Joe Maddon (1999) Mike Scioscia (2000–2018) Brad Ausmus (2019) Joe Maddon (2020–2022) Phil Nevin (2022–2023) Ron Washington (2024–2025) Kurt Suzuki (2026–present)

v t e Miami Marlins managers Rene Lachemann (1993–1996) Cookie Rojas (1996) John Boles (1996) Jim Leyland (1997–1998) John Boles (1999–2001) Tony Pérez (2001) Jeff Torborg (2002–2003) Jack McKeon (2003–2005) Joe Girardi (2006) Fredi González (2007–2010) Edwin Rodríguez (2010–2011) Brandon Hyde (2011) Jack McKeon (2011) Ozzie Guillén (2012) Mike Redmond (2013–2015) Dan Jennings (2015) Don Mattingly (2016–2022) Skip Schumaker (2023–2024) Clayton McCullough (2025–present)

v t e Águilas del Zulia managers Aparicio Ortega / Adairp (1969–70) Aparicio Montielp (1969–71) Carrasquelp (1970–71) Dobyp (1971–72) Billingsp (1971–73) Rojas / Posadap (1973–74) Moore / Carrasquelp (1974–75) Aparicio Montiel (1975–78) Taylorp (1978–80) Izquierdop (1979–80) Gil (1980–81) Clarkp (1981–82) Winep (1981–83) Amarop (1982–87) Trillop (1987–88) Mackanin (1988–90) Amaro (1990–91) P. Davalillo (1991–94) Amarop (1994–97) Madurop (1996–97) Biagini (1997–98) Bombard (1998–2000) Amaro / Carrión (2000–01) Muñoz (2001–02) Amaro / P. Davalillop (2002–03) Mackanin (2003–05) Salazar (2005–06) Russell (2006–07) Cliburn / Carriónp (2007–08) Pérezp (2008–10) R. Oliverasp (2009–10) Davis (2010–11) M. Oliveras / Nava (2011–12) Dorante (2012–14) Pérez (2014–15) Kennedy / Tremiep (2015–16) Navap (2016–19) Connellp (2018–19) M. Davalillo (2019–20) Odor (2020–21) M. Davalillo (2021–23) Listach (2023–24) Nava (2024–26) Quiróz (2026–27) (p) = partial season(s)

v t e Kansas City Royals Established in 1969 Based in Kansas City, Missouri Franchise History Expansion and draft Seasons Current roster Owners and executives Managers Opening Day starting pitchers All-time roster First-round draft picks Records No-hitters Awards and league leaders Royals Academy Broadcasting FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City KSMO-TV Ballparks Municipal Stadium Kauffman Stadium New Royals Stadium (proposed) Spring training Terry Park Baseball City Stadium Surprise Stadium Culture Sluggerrr Denny Matthews Ryan Lefebvre George Toma American Royal "Royals" (song) Lore Pine Tar Incident The Call 2014 AL Wild Card Game "A drive into deep left field by Castellanos" MLB in Omaha Bo Knows Team Hall of Fame Steve Busby Amos Otis Dick Howser Cookie Rojas Paul Splittorff Dennis Leonard Hal McRae Joe Burke Larry Gura Freddie Patek Ewing Kauffman George Brett Frank White Muriel Kauffman John Mayberry Dan Quisenberry Whitey Herzog Willie Wilson Jeff Montgomery Denny Matthews Bret Saberhagen Mark Gubicza Art Stewart Kevin Appier Mike Sweeney Ned Yost Bo Jackson John Schuerholz Cedric Tallis Alex Gordon Retired numbers 5 10 20 42 Minor league affiliates Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals High-A Quad Cities River Bandits Single-A Columbia Fireflies Rookie ACL Royals DSL Royals Fortuna DSL Royals Ventura Key personnel Owner: John Sherman President of baseball operations & general manager: J. J. Picollo Manager: Matt Quatraro World Series championships (2) 1985 2015 American League pennants (4) 1980 1985 2014 2015 Division titles West 1976 1977 1978 1980 1981 (second half) 1984 1985 Central 2015 Wild Card 2014 2024 Seasons (58) 1960s 1960 · 1961 · 1962 · 1963 · 1964 · 1965 · 1966 · 1967 · 1968 · 1969 1970s 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980s 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990s 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000s 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010s 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020s 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

v t e Members of the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame Pitchers Adolfo Luján Carlos Maciá Braudilio Vinent José Méndez José Muñoz Camilo Pascual Arturo Valdés Carlos Royer Juan Manuel Pastoriza Connie Marrero José Acosta Ramón Bragaña Adolfo Luque Tomás de la Cruz Isidro Fabré Martín Dihigo Emilio Palmero Catchers Miguel Ángel González Rafael Figarola Regino García Gervasio González Tinti Molina Moisés Quintero Francisco Poyo Gonzalo Sánchez Infielders Rafael Almeida Luis Bustamante Antonio María García José Rodríguez Esteban Bellán Armando Cabañas Alfredo Cabrera Román Calzadilla Julián Castillo Pelayo Chacón Manuel Cueto Wenceslao Gálvez Valentín González Bienvenido Jiménez Omar Linares Eduardo Machado Antonio Mesa Carlos Zaldo Carlos Morán Antonio Muñoz Oscar Rodríguez Tomás Romañach Emilio Sabourín Lázaro Salazar Rogelio Valdés Zoilo Versalles Tony Taylor Leo Cárdenas Outfielders Merito Acosta Alfredo Arango Alfredo Arcaño Bernardo Baró Ricardo Cabaleiro Jack Calvo Luis Casanova Valentín Dreke Orestes Miñoso Nemesio Guilló Eustaquio Gutiérrez Rafael Hernández Heliodoro Hidalgo Orestes Kindelán Julio López Armando Marsans Antonio Oliva Cristóbal Torriente Ricardo Martínez Alejandro Oms Luis Padrón Emilio Palomino Pablo Ronquillo José Teuma Manuel Villa Juan Violá Miscellaneous Amado Maestri (Umpire) Juan Antiga Eugenio Jiménez See also: Cuban Exile Hall of Fame (1962–2007)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cookie Rojas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cookie_Rojas) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cookie_Rojas?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.