Angel Mangual, A’s World Series hero, dies at 73

Angel Mangual, former Oakland A’s outfielder and three-time World Series champion, died Tuesday morning at age 73, the team announced.

Mangual is not the most famous name in A’s history, but he played a huge role in the club’s first title in Oakland. In Game 4 of the 1972 World Series, he delivered a walk-off single in the 9th inning to send the green and gold to a comeback victory, in a series they ultimately won in seven games over the Cincinnati Reds. Click here for a recap of the game, or click here to watch it on YouTube.

The A’s originally acquired Mangual from the Pirates ahead of the 1971 season, as the player to be named later in a trade for All-Star pitcher Mudcat Grant. Mangual had already debuted in the majors for Pittsburgh in ‘69, and in their organization he earned the nickname Little Clemente due to his promise as a prospect, in honor of his Puerto Rican countryman and star teammate.

He went on to play six seasons for Oakland in a part-time role, appearing in 450 games. The right-hander didn’t hit much in over 1,300 plate appearances (22 homers, 83 wRC+), but he racked up a WAR or two thanks to defensive value on the outfield corners. He had a couple RBI hits in Game 1 of the 1971 ALCS, but the A’s lost the game and the series to the Orioles. Then in ‘72 he got another chance to shine and ran with it, en route to his first of three rings.

RIP Angel Mangual