Ruben Amaro Jr. is known for being the Philadelphia Phillies general manager from 2009-15. But his story dates to a bygone era, one of the greatest in the history of America’s national pastime.
See, Amaro Jr. is the son of former MLB shortstop and Phillies scout, Ruben Amaro Sr. He grew up around the game he loved. His knowledge of the diamond was learned from a very young age.
Sadly for the younger Amaro and his family, Ruben Amaro Sr. passed away on Friday at the age of 81.
The Phillies announce that Ruben Amaro, Sr. has passed away at age 81.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 31, 2017
A shortstop for the Phillies from 1960-66, Amaro Sr. earned a Gold Glove and was a member of four winning teams during that span. He played with all-time greats like Joe Torre. While not a great player by any stretch of the imagination, the elder Amaro learned baseball with some of the best to suit up.
This led to Amaro Sr. taking on scouting and coaching roles with the Phillies following his playing career.
A patriarch of the family, Amaro Sr. is a member of both the Mexico and Cuba Baseball Hall of Fames.
He is survived by his wife Lilia, five children and seven grand children.