Roberto Zambrano returned from injury, hit some home runs; Played two decades, made AAA, Mexico

Originally published Oct. 18, 2010

Roberto Zambrano had just come back from an injury in 1989, and it appeared he had recovered just fine.

In his 18th game back, Zambrano slugged two home runs, his third and fourth since his return, to help his Winter Haven Red Sox to a 9-0 win against Osceola, The Lakeland Ledger wrote.

Zambrano went on to hit a total of 14 home runs on the season, playing majority of the year at AA New Britain. But Zambrano would get higher only once, a brief stint at AAA two years later. He never would make the majors.

Zambrano's career began in 1985, having been signed as a free agent by the Red Sox out of his native Venezuela. He spent that year at single-A Greensboro of the South Atlantic League.

With Greensboro, Zambrano had success. He hit 19 home runs with a batting average of .291. He had a run-scoring single in an 8-3 June Greensboro win. In a July game, Zambrano had three hits and knocked in four runs. He also made the league All-Star team that month.

Zambrano spent 1986 at Winter Haven of the Florida State League, hitting .279 with six home runs. He got a run-scoring double in a May game, going 2-4 with two RBIs. In another May game, he hit a home run and a double. He also had three RBIs in an August contest.

Zambrano first made AA New Britain in 1987, spending the year there, hitting .289 with another six home runs. He got two RBIs in an early April game, and three more in a late April contest. He made the league All-Star team again that year.

He split the next two years between New Britain and Winter Haven. Back at New Britain for 68 games in 1989, Zambrano hit .291 with eight home runs. But, after five seasons in the Red Sox system, 1989 was his last.

By 1990, Zambrano was with the Indians at AA Canton-Akron, his average dropping to .257. He got an RBI single in June. He also hit into a triple play in late July against Albany-Colonie, according to The Schenectady Gazette.

It was in 1991 that Zambrano made AAA for his only trip to that level. In 35 games for Colorado Springs, Zambrano hit .297 with three home runs. Zambrano played part of one more season, two years later in 1993 with the Cubs at Orlando.

But it was his final season in affiliated ball. He was credited with time in the Mexican League as late as 2004, ending his career.

• Sumter Daily Item, July 18, 1985: Hornets pound Clossen, Braves
• Palm Beach Post, May 19, 1986: Zambrano, Winter Haven beat Expos 4-1
• Lakeland Ledger, May 19, 1989: Hasox slam Osceola