Fred Manrique, a Venezuelan infielder, played in Major League Baseball primarily during the 1980s. Born on November 5, 1961, in Bolívar, Venezuela, Manrique began his professional baseball journey when he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979. His debut in the major leagues came on July 23, 1981, with the Blue Jays, marking the start of his career in the big leagues.
Manrique's time with the Blue Jays was brief, and he spent the next few years moving between teams and honing his skills in the minor leagues. In 1984, he was traded to the Montreal Expos, although he did not appear in a major league game for them. The following year, he was on the move again, this time to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played in a handful of games during the 1985 season.
It wasn't until Manrique joined the Chicago White Sox in 1987 that he began to see more consistent playing time. During his tenure with the White Sox, he played primarily as a second baseman and shortstop. Manrique's defensive abilities were a key aspect of his game, and he was known for his reliable glove work in the infield. In 1988, he enjoyed one of his most productive seasons, appearing in 116 games and achieving a batting average of .257, along with 3 home runs and 36 RBIs.
After his stint with the White Sox, Manrique continued his career with the Texas Rangers in 1989. His time with the Rangers was short-lived, and he was traded to the Minnesota Twins later that year. In Minnesota, he played in 64 games, contributing to the team's infield depth.
Manrique's final stop in the major leagues was with the Oakland Athletics in 1991. Although his time with the Athletics was brief, it marked the end of a decade-long career in Major League Baseball. Over the course of his career, Manrique played in 498 games, recorded a batting average of .254, hit 11 home runs, and drove in 96 runs.
Following his major league career, Manrique continued to play baseball at the minor league level and in international leagues, including a stint in the Mexican League. His career in professional baseball spanned over a decade, during which he demonstrated his skills as a reliable infielder across several teams.
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