The native Cuban was the AL MVP in 1965 when he was the catalyst of the pennant-winning Twins’ offense, leading the league with 45 doubles, 12 triples, 126 runs scored, and 666 at-bats. He also stole a career-high 27 bases but struck out 122 times, tops in the league. In the 1965 World Series, his three-run homer was the key hit in Minnesota’s 8-2 opening-game win over the Dodgers.
The flashy shortstop won a Gold Glove in 1963. On four occasions during his career, he got his team’s only hit in a game. Versalles was plagued by back problems late in his career and played in the Mexican League in 1970 before one final ML stint with the Braves.
