Cesar Cedeno

Cedeno’s fine career pales only against the fact that he was billed by Astros manager Leo Durocher as “the next Willie Mays” (while the Cubs’ manager, Durocher had similarly touted Adolfo Phillips). The comparisons to Mays were inevitable. Cedeno led the NL in doubles twice, stole over 50 bases six times, batted .320 twice, hit for the cycle twice, and won five Gold Glove awards. But for all he accomplished, he never came up to the “another Mays” prediction. He made something of a comeback in 1980 (.309, 10 HR, 73 RBI), helping Houston win its first division title and earning his fourth selection to TSN’s NL All-Star Team. Traded to the Reds after the 1981 season, he improved his play after he took a stress(&-h)h)h)relief course during the winter of 1983-84. On August 29, 1985, he was traded to the Cardinals, who were seeking a replacement for injured Jack Clark. He helped push St. Louis to the pennant with a remarkable stretch drive: .434, 6 HR, 19 RBI in 28 games. However, after playing poorly in the postseason, he was released.