F.P. Santangelo first made the majors in 1995, with the Expos, in his seventh season as a pro.
The next year, after he'd become a major league regular, he spoke to The Palm Beach Post about finally arriving, especially with Montreal.
"I always knew I'd play in the majors," Santangelo told The Post. "There were times when I didn't think I'd get a chance for Montreal, but I always knew I'd get here someday."
Santangelo went on to play in the majors over seven seasons - then return as a major league broadcaster.
Along the way, his actions late in his career later came under scrutiny as he was among the players named in the 2007 Mitchell Report. He then admitted to twice using HGH.
Santangelo's career began in 1989, taken by the Expos in the 20th round of the draft out of the University of Miami. He played his high school ball at Oak Ridge High in California.
Santangelo started with the Expos at single-A West Palm Beach and short-season Jamestown. He hit .223 in 59 games.
He then returned to West Palm Beach for 1990 and started the season on the bench, The Post wrote. He then got on the field.
"I'm sure he was afraid of his welfare," West Palm Beach manager Felipe Alou told The Post of Santangelo's lack of playing time early. "Santangelo then started showing what he could do. He earned (the playing time). We didn't give it to him."
Santangelo hit .277 over 116 games that year, then made AA Harrisburg for 1991 and AAA Indianapolis for 1992. He then stayed at AAA with the Expos for 1993 and 1994.
Santangelo made his debut in Montreal in August 1995. He got into 35 games and hit .296. He then returned for 152 games in 1996 and hit .277.
He saw 130 games with the Expos in 1997 and 122 there in 1998. He moved to the Giants in 1999 and saw 113 contests, hitting .260.
Santangelo moved to the Dodgers for 2000 and saw 81 games, then 32 final games with the Athletics in 2001.
In October 2000, Santangelo wrote a check to Kirk Radomski to purchase a human growth hormone, a check included in the Mitchell Report.
Radomski also recalled selling Santangelo Deca-Durabolin and testosterone once or twice in 2001, when Santangelo played his final major league season, the Mitchell Report read.
After the report's release, Santangelo admitted to using HGH, but denied using or purchasing steroids or testosterone from Radomski. He said he used HGH twice to help heal from injuries, The Sacramento Bee wrote. He addressed the issue and took questions on the radio show he had in the Sacramento area after the report's release.
"I had to get it out, talk about it, hit it on the head and come clean," Santangelo told The Bee. "I feel like a 10-ton truck was lifted off my back. You compromise your values - when for so long I was against it- and now I can live my life without having any secrets."
After his playing career, Santangelo turned to broadcasting, first as a radio talk show host, then as a radio announcer with the Giants. By 2011, he was with the Nationals on MASN, as television color analyst. He continues in that role for 2021.
- Palm Beach Post, Aug. 20, 1990: Santangelo pumps iron, forgets aluminum bats
- Palm Beach Post, Sept. 8, 1996: Proving skeptics wrong not new to Santangelo
- ESPN, Dec. 14, 2007: Santangelo admits HGH use, says he'll 'face the music'
- Sacramento Bee, Dec. 15, 2007: Santangelo: Revelation a relief
- Mitchell Report: Page 182
Players/Coaches Featured:3,570
Made the Majors:1,238-34.7%-X
Never Made Majors:2,332-65.3%
5+ Seasons in the Majors:514-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors:305
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