View source for Dave Concepción

{{short description|Venezuelan baseball player (born 1948)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Concepción|Benitez|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=David Concepción
|image=Dave Concepcion - Cincinnati Reds.jpg
|position=[[Shortstop]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1948|6|17}}
|birth_place=[[Ocumare de la Costa]], [[Venezuela]]
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 6
|debutyear=1970
|debutteam=Cincinnati Reds
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=September 15
|finalyear=1988
|finalteam=Cincinnati Reds
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.267
|stat2label=[[Hit (baseball)|Hits]]
|stat2value=2,326
|stat3label=[[Home run]]s
|stat3value=101
|stat4label=[[Runs batted in]]
|stat4value=950
|teams=
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1970}}–{{mlby|1988}})
|highlights=
* 9× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1973 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1973]], [[1975 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1975]]–[[1982 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1982]])
* 2× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1975}}, {{wsy|1976}})
* 5× [[Gold Glove Award]] (1974–1977, 1979)
* 2× [[Silver Slugger Award]] (1981, 1982)
* [[Cincinnati Reds#Retired numbers|Cincinnati Reds No. 13]] retired
* [[Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum|Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame]]
|hofcolor = #ffd700
|hoflink = Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = Venezuelan
|hofdate = [[Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum#2003|2003]]
|hofvote = 
|hofmethod = 
}}

'''David Ismael Concepción Benitez''' (born June 17, 1948) is a [[Venezuelans|Venezuelan]] former professional [[baseball]] player and [[Manager (baseball)|manager]]. He played his entire career in [[Major League Baseball]] as a [[shortstop]] for the [[Cincinnati Reds]] dynasty that won four [[List of National League pennant winners|National League pennants]] and two [[World Series]] championships between {{Baseball year|1970}} and {{Baseball year|1976}}.

A nine-time All-Star player, Concepción earned five [[Gold Glove Award]]s as he teamed with [[Joe Morgan]] for one of the best middle-infield combinations of their era.<ref name="Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/reds/hall-of-fame/alumni/directory#c-content |title=Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com |work=mlb.com |access-date=16 May 2020 |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215121405/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/hof/hof/directory.jsp?hof_id=120404#c-content |url-status=live }}</ref> He also won two [[Silver Slugger Award]]s and was named the MVP of the [[1982 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1982 All-Star Game]]. In 2000, Concepción was inducted into the [[Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame]] and in 2007, the team retired Concepción's uniform #13.<ref name="Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com"/><ref name=jersey>{{cite web |title=Concepción's jersey retired |work=espn.com |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2991243 |access-date=2007-08-25 |archive-date=2014-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221083026/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2991243 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Early life ==
Concepción was born in Ocumare de la Costa, [[Aragua State]], [[Venezuela]], the son of a truck driver<ref name="Porter1995">{{cite book|author=David L. Porter|title=Biographical Dictionary of American Sports: 1992–1995 supplement for baseball, football, basketball, and other sports|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lHJrkIxwhMcC&pg=PA56|year=1995|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-28431-1|pages=56–|access-date=2016-10-10|archive-date=2023-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208010514/https://books.google.com/books?id=lHJrkIxwhMcC&pg=PA56|url-status=live}}</ref> and his wife, Ernestina.<ref name="1800beisbol.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.1800beisbol.com/baseball/deportes/baseball/dave_concepcion_reds_ss_interview/|title=Dave Concepcion Reds SS Interview – 1-800-BEISBOL – 1-800-BEISBOL|last=beisbol|website=www.1800beisbol.com|access-date=2014-04-08|archive-date=2017-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210015822/http://www.1800beisbol.com/baseball/deportes/baseball/dave_concepcion_reds_ss_interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> He attended Agustin Codazzi High School. After high school, he worked as a bank teller<ref name="(SABR)2014">{{cite book|author=Society for American Baseball Research (SABR)|title=The Great Eight: The 1975 Cincinnati Reds|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2vfMAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA144|date=1 April 2014|publisher=U of Nebraska Press|isbn=978-0-8032-5340-7|pages=144–}}</ref> and played part-time for the local [[Tigres de Aragua]] baseball team. His coach, [[Wilfredo Calviño]], was also a Cincinnati Reds' scout, and Calviño signed Concepción to a Reds' contract in 1967.<ref name="Porter1995" />

== Career ==
Following the steps of his childhood heroes [[Chico Carrasquel]] and [[Luis Aparicio|Luis Aparicio, Jr.]], Concepción, originally drafted as a pitcher, came out of Venezuela to become one of the Reds' and the National League's greatest all-time shortstops. He made his big-league debut at the age of 21 on April 6, 1970, starting at shortstop and going 0-for-4 as the Reds defeated the [[Montreal Expos]], 5-1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN197004060.shtml|title=Montreal Expos at Cincinnati Reds Box Score, April 6, 1970 – Baseball-Reference.com|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 27, 2018|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001184344/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN197004060.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> He went 0-for-4 again the next day against the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] before getting his first hit on April 8, a seventh-inning double off Dodgers pitcher (and future Reds teammate) [[Fred Norman (baseball)|Fred Norman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN197004080.shtml|title=Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, April 8, 1970 – Baseball-Reference.com|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 27, 2018|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118060105/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN197004080.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

In his first three seasons, Reds manager [[Sparky Anderson]] played him part-time, sharing duties with [[Woody Woodward]] and [[Darrel Chaney]]. In one of those appearances, in 1971, he was the only team member to reach base safely when the Reds were [[no-hitter|no-hit]] by the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]' [[Rick Wise]]; a sixth-inning walk spoiled what would have been a [[Perfect game (baseball)|perfect game]]. In 1973, Concepción blossomed, both at bat and in the field, being named the starting shortstop. On May 9, in a Reds 9–7 victory over the [[Philadelphia Phillies]], [[Johnny Bench]] hit three [[home run]]s and drove in seven runs against pitcher [[Steve Carlton]]. It was the second time that Bench smashed three homers against Carlton in a game. However, a Concepción two-run tie-breaker homer in the ninth, off [[Barry Lersch]], was the game-winner. Concepción had been named to the NL [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] team, but on July 22, two days before the game he dislocated his knee and broke his leg (sliding into third base after moving from first base with [[Denis Menke]] base hit against the Expos in the bottom of the seventh inning at Riverfront, fracturing the fibula of left leg) and missed the second half of the year. At this time, he was [[batting average (baseball)|batting]] .287, with 8 home runs, 46 [[run batted in|RBI]], 39 [[Run (baseball)|runs]], 18 [[Double (baseball)|doubles]], three [[Triple (baseball)|triples]] and 22 [[stolen base]]s.

[[File:198009-012WillieMcCoveyLastCandlestick.png|thumb|right|250px|Willie McCovey attempts to tag out Concepción at first base in McCovey's final game at Candlestick Park, 1980]]

Concepción returned in 1974 and played 160 games. He enjoyed his best overall season, batting .281, with 14 home runs and 82 RBI, as well as winning his first of five [[Gold Glove Award]]s.

By 1975, Concepción joined [[Pete Rose]], [[Johnny Bench]], [[Joe Morgan]], [[Tony Pérez]], [[Ken Griffey, Sr.]], [[George Foster (baseball)|George Foster]] and [[César Gerónimo]] in the famous "Great Eight" starting lineup of [[The Big Red Machine]] that would help the Reds win the next two [[World Series]] titles. Even after Concepción had established himself in the major leagues as a star shortstop, he continued to play winter ball in Venezuela, helping to improve his batting. After his .274, 5, 49 totals in the 1975 Major League season, Concepción posted marks of: .281, 9, 69 (1976); .271, 8, 64 (1977); .301, 6, 67 (1978); .281, 16, 84 (1979); .260, 5, 77 (1980); .306, 5, 67 (1981); and .287, 5, 53 (1982).

On July 13, 1982, the first All-Star Game outside of the United States was held at [[Montreal]]'s [[Olympic Stadium (Montreal)|Olympic Stadium]]. Concepción hit a two-run homer to help the National League to a 4–1 win (the NL's 11th straight victory and 19th in the last 20 contests). Concepción was named the game's [[MLB Most Valuable Player award|Most Valuable Player]].

Later in his career, Concepción worked with Tony Pérez and perfected the one-bounce throw to first base. Concepción was the first shortstop to use this method to take advantage of the smooth artificial turf at [[Riverfront Stadium]] and other parks in the National League.

Hampered by age, an elbow injury and shoulder surgery in 1982, Concepción had consecutive sub-par seasons from 1983–84. Grooming [[Barry Larkin]] as his successor, he became a dependable handyman at all four infield positions. He was replaced by Larkin in 1986, only 44 games away from [[Larry Bowa]]'s NL record for shortstops.

In 1988, which would be his 19th and final season with the Reds, manager Pete Rose sent Concepción in to pitch 1.1 innings in [[Dodger Stadium]] late in a blow-out game. He gave up two hits, no runs, and struck out one batter. The Reds released Concepción after the 1988 season. He attempted a 20th Major League season in 1989, trying out for the [[California Angels]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-03-07-sp-137-story.html|title=Angel Notebook : Concepción Is Trying to Prove Reds Wrong|last=PENNER|first=MIKE|date=1989-03-07|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2016-03-04|archive-date=2016-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306024339/http://articles.latimes.com/1989-03-07/sports/sp-137_1_davey-concepcion/2|url-status=live}}</ref> but he failed to make the roster and retired from playing at the age of 40.<ref name="Porter1995" />

Concepcion ranks second in Cincinnati Reds history in career games played and at-bats; third in hits, doubles and stolen bases; and fifth in runs scored and total bases.<ref name="Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com"/> He and [[Barry Larkin]] share the franchise record with 19 seasons played in a Reds uniform.<ref name="Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com"/>

== Personal life ==
After retiring in 1989, he served as manager of the [[Tigres de Aragua]] team in Venezuela.

Concepción resides with his wife, Delia, in Urbanizacion El Castaño, a community in [[Maracay, Venezuela]]<ref name="cincinnati.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/columnists/john-erardi/2014/04/02/concepcion-recalls-protection-kidnap-cops/7225479/|title=Concepcion recalls time with 'kidnap cops'|access-date=2014-04-08|archive-date=2021-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120102140/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/columnists/john-erardi/2014/04/02/concepcion-recalls-protection-kidnap-cops/7225479/|url-status=live}}</ref> at the base of the mountains near [[Henri Pittier National Park]]. They have three grown children, sons David Alejandro and David Eduardo, and daughter Daneska.<ref name="Porter1995" /> Concepción owns a farm as well as a trucking business.<ref name="1800beisbol.com" />

{{MLBBioRet
|Image  = CincinnatiReds13.png
|Name   = Dave Concepción
|Number = 13
|Team   = Cincinnati Reds
|Year   = 2007
|}}

On August 25, 2007, the Cincinnati Reds held a [[pre-game ceremony]] to retire Concepción's number 13.

Joining him were several other all-time Reds greats whose numbers were retired, including former teammates Tony Pérez, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and manager Sparky Anderson as well as former teammates Ken Griffey and George Foster. Concepción has said that he originally chose that number to honor his mother, Ernestina, who was born in 1913.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2991243|title=Concepcion's jersey retired|website=ESPN.com|date=26 August 2007 |access-date=2016-03-04|archive-date=2016-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408171215/http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2991243|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the first occasion in Major League history that the number 13 was retired by a team.

His number 13 was also retired by the Venezuelan team for which he played 20 years of winter ball, Tigres de Aragua of Maracay.<ref name="1800beisbol.com" /> In 2014, he was named vice president of the club.<ref name="cincinnati.com" /> He is a member of the Caribbean Series Hall of Fame.<ref name="1800beisbol.com" />

In 2014, Concepción returned to Cincinnati to serve as grand marshal of the annual opening day Findlay Market Parade, and later he and his successor at shortstop for the Reds, Barry Larkin, threw the ceremonial first pitches prior to the Reds' season opener.<ref name="cincinnati.com" />

== Articles ==
* Reds' Brass Excited Over Concepción, Fast-Rising Infield Whiz. ''The Sporting News'', by Earl Lawson – November 8, 1969 (Vol. 168, Issue 17) -- p.&nbsp;39
* The Making of Dave Concepción. ''Baseball Digest'',  by Si Burick – August, 1974 (Vol. 33, Issue 8) -- p.&nbsp;40, 3 page(s)
* Friday the 13th. ''Sports Illustrated'', by Robert H. Boyle – June 23, 1980 (Vol. 52, Issue 26) -- p.&nbsp;13, 14
* Dave Concepción Best in the Business. ''Boys' Life'', by Jim Brosnan – September, 1975 (Vol. 65, Issue 9) -- p.&nbsp;20, 4 page(s)

== Further reading ==
* ''The Greatest Shortstops Of All Time'',  by Donald Honig – p.&nbsp;80, 6 page(s). Dubuque, Ia: Wm. C. Brown Publishers, 1992
* ''Baseball's Dream Team.'', by John Thorn – Dave Concepción: "Senor Slick" – p.&nbsp;40, 10 page(s). New York: Ace Tempo Books, 1982

== See also ==
* [[List of NL Gold Glove winners at shortstop]]
* [[List of Gold Glove middle infield duos]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball players from Venezuela]]
* [[Tigres de Aragua]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{baseballstats|mlb=|espn=|br=c/conceda01|fangraphs=1002494|brm=concep002dav|retro=C/Pconcd101}}
* {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112123543/http://www.davidconcepcion.com/|date=November 12, 2007|title=Official website }}

{{S-start}}
{{Succession box| before = [[Gary Carter]] | title = [[Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award|National League Player of the Month]]| years = April, 1981| after = [[Art Howe]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame}}
{{Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVPs}}
{{NL SS Silver Slugger Award}}
{{NL SS Gold Glove Award}}
{{Cincinnati Reds team captains}}
{{1975 Cincinnati Reds}}
{{1976 Cincinnati Reds}}
{{Cincinnati Reds retired numbers}}
{{Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Concepcion, Dave}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Asheville Tourists players]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds players]]
[[Category:Gold Glove Award winners]]
[[Category:Indianapolis Indians players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVPs]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players from Venezuela]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball shortstops]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Aragua]]
[[Category:Silver Slugger Award winners]]
[[Category:Tampa Tarpons (1957–1987) players]]
[[Category:Tigres de Aragua players]]
[[Category:Venezuela national baseball team people]]
[[Category:Venezuelan baseball coaches]]
[[Category:Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the United States]]
[[Category:20th-century Venezuelan sportsmen]]