On this day in 1982 Texas Rangers infielder Mario Mendoza made his last plate appearance in the major league. Mendoza reached first base on a fielder’s choice. In his 9 year career Mendoza hit .215. He is still infamous 31 years later due to George Brett naming it “The Mendoza Line” a line where stuggling hitters were hitting below Mendoza’s battling average. I remember Mendoza when he began his career with my Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a slick fielding infielder who had shallow shallow outfield power. He was good enough with the glove to last 9 seasons in the majors. Oddly enough after his playing career ended he was a minor league hitting instructor.