Cesar Cedeno
| Birthdate | 2/25/1951 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1970 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Astros, Cardinals, Dodgers, Reds |
| Positions | Center Field, First Base |
Cesar Cedeno was one of the most exciting players of the 1970s; by age 25, the centerfielder was a four-time All Star and five-time Gold Glover.
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Cesar Cedeno was an immediate hit after joining the Astros at age 19
Cesar Cedeno was an immediate hit after joining the Astros at age 19
Signed by the Astros as a 16-year old in 1967, Cesar Cedeno made his big league debut three years later at age 19. The youngest player in the National League that year, Cedeno became Houston’s everyday centerfielder for the rest of the season. In 90 games he tallied 110 hits – 32 of them for extra bases – on his way to a .310 average. He was in the majors to stay.
After leading the league in doubles in 1971, Cedeno had a breakout season in ’72. He hit .320, scored 103 runs, led the league with 39 doubles, had 300 total bases, 55 steals and an OPS+ of 162. In centerfield he was a Gold Glover.
From 1972-1980 Cedeno made four All Star teams, captured five consecutive Gold Glove Awards, and had an OPS+ of 136. In that nine-year run he averaged 5.1 WAR per year.
In December of 1981 he was traded to the Reds for Ray Knight. He left Houston as the franchise leader in games played, runs, hits, doubles and steals.
Cedeno played five seasons after leaving the Astros, suiting up for the Reds, Cardinals, and Dodgers. He retired in 1986 with 17 big league seasons to his credit. His final career numbers include a .285 batting average, 2,087 hits, 1,084 runs and 550 stolen bases. His career OPS+ stands at 123 while his WAR total comes in at 52.9.
In 2020 Houston inducted into the Astros team Hall of Fame.
Shown here is the 1974 Topps offering “All Star center fielders”. It is signed by the two men depicted on the card, Amos Otis and Cesar Cedeno.
The two players have amazingly similar career statistics. Cedeno: 7,301 at bats, 2,087 hits, 343 doubles, 60 triples, 193 homers, 1,084 runs, 976 RBI. Otis: 7,299 at bats, 2,020 hits, 374 doubles, 66 triples, 199 homers, 1,092 runs, 1,007 RBI. Cedeno did steal more bases (550) than Otis (341). As for advance metrics, Cedeno holds the edge in both OPS+ (123 to 115) and WAR (52.9 to 42.8).
From 1970-1978, Otis made five All Star teams and earned three Gold Gloves while Cedeno made four All Star teams and earned five Gold Gloves. Both men are in their team’s Hall of Fame. Otis’ selection in Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame came in 1986.
He also had 100 doubles before the age of 22.
Cesar Cedeno was a very good major league player. He was destined to become the greatest Houston Astro ever. I saw him play over a dozen times. I kind of likened him to a Willie Mays or Bobby Bonds type of player. He could steal you 50 bases, hit you 20 or more home runs, score you over 100 runs and knock in over 80 Rbi’s. He was very good not to mention, he was a multiple Gold Glove winner. He was Good!