José Cardenal

José Rosario Domec Cardenal (born October 7, 1943) is a Cuban American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from 1963 to 1980, most prominently as a member of the Chicago Cubs, with whom he established himself as a fan favorite for his powerful hitting and his strong throwing arm. He had the best seasons of his career in Chicago, posting career highs in home runs and batting average as a member of the Cubs. He led the Indians twice in steals twice with a career-high 40 in 1968. In that season, he tied a major league record for outfielders by making two unassisted double plays. Traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970, he hit .293 with 74 RBI. In a 1971 season split between the Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers, he collected a career-high 80 RBI. He was traded by the Brewers to the Cubs for Jim Colborn, Brock Davis, and Earl Stephenson on December 3, 1971.

In 1973 as a right fielder for the Cubs, Cardenal led the team in batting average (.303), doubles (33) and stolen bases (19), being named Cubs Player of the Year by the Chicago baseball writers. Famously temperamental, in 1974 Cardenal was at odds with the Cubs management, and notoriously refused to play the season opener claiming that he was injured because the eyelids of one eye were stuck open. In 1975 he posted career-highs in average (.317) and hits (182). He slumped in 1977, batting only .239 with just 3 home runs and 18 RBI in 100 games played. He resigned from his position with the Yankees prior to the 2000 season over a contract dispute.

Cardenal became the senior advisor to the Washington Nationals general manager in 2005. On September 14, he announced that he wanted to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and was seeking to auction his World Series ring he won with the New York Yankees in 1998. Cardenal was relieved of his position with the Nationals following the season.

Cultural impact First Lady Michelle Obama hugged Cardenal during the Chicago Cubs January, 2017 visit to the White House. The team and some veterans were invited there to celebrate their 2016 World Series victory. Native Chicagaon Obama said she wore her Cubs hat on top of her oversized Afro the same way Cardenal had during his career, as seen in the photo above.