Bert Blyleven, on Cesar "Pepe" Tovar: "That little man could hit!"

Eventually, I'll add to this post. It would be fitting to devote more type to the finest all-round "utility" player the Twins ever had, with all due respect to Nick Punto, Jeff Reboulet and Denny Hocking.

"Pepe" Tovar, of Caracas, Venezuala, occasionally played with a hat.  He 

appears to be trying to score via the third base dugout side of home plate 

at old Metropolitan Stadium, ca. late 1960's. Jerry Josephson 

of the Chicago White Sox is the catcher.

Cesar Tovar was The Indispensible Man on the Minnesota Twins, from 1966 through 1972.  He would would play any position anytime, anywhere. He did just that on Sept. 22, 1968 against the Oakland A's. He even struck out "Mr. October," Reggie Jackson in the first inning, his only inning of work on the hill. I believe he even sold popcorn, played the organ over the public address system, and cleaned toilets that day. He compiled some pretty impressive seasons in the late 1960's and early '70's. He may have developed into an even better player had the Twins ever settled on one position for him to play in the field, instead of everywhere.

Sal Bando bats against Tovar, 1st inning
in that every position game.

As our Hall of Fame Broadcaster Herb Carneal bid us farewell, I say: "So long  everybody! - TT