Diaz, from Venezuela, was signed by the Red Sox organization and entered their minor league system in 1971 as an 18-year-old. He languished in the minors for years, because Boston had some other catcher named Carlton Fisk blocking his path. Late in spring training in 1978, Diaz was sent to Cleveland as part of trade that brought future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley to the Red Sox.
He played sparingly with the Indians, but made the American League All Star team in 1981 when he hit .313 in a strike-shortened season. He joined the Phillies in 1982 after a three-team trade with the Indians and Cardinals. That was the trade that sent the popular Lonnie Smith to the Cardinals. To say fans were unhappy with the trade would be an understatement. Columnist Bill Conlin wrote that Diaz had been greeted by Philadelphia fans "with the warmth reserved for axe murderers." Another writer called Diaz moody, injury-prone, and as slow as the legislative process.
Diaz became the Phillies starting catcher in 1982 after Bob Boone signed with the Angels. He had a great season with the Phils, hitting 18 HR with 85 RBI and a .288 batting average. Diaz hit his super slam on April 13, 1983 against the Mets. With this Phils trailing 9-5 in the bottom of the 9th inning, Pete Rose led off and flied out to left. Gary Matthews and Joe Morgan followed with walks, and Mike Schmidt hit a fly ball to left for the second out.
Len Matuszek (a FPOTD) pinch-hit for Porfi Altamirano (another FPOTD) and drew a walk to load the bases. Jesse Orosco was called in from the bullpen to pitch to Von Hayes (yet another FPOTD), but Bill Robinson hit for Hayes. Robinson drew a walk, forcing in Matthews, making the score 9-6. Neil Allen replaced Orosco and Diaz then connected with his walkoff super slam, giving the Phils a 10-9 win.
Diaz didn't have the same success as the year before and hit just .236 for the 1983 season with 15 HR. But the Wheeze Kids, as the Phillies were known that year, won the NL pennant but lost to the Orioles in the World Series.
He loved to play Winter Ball in his home country of Venezuela. But in 1984, he was slowed by back pain. He was hurt for most of spring training but was able to avoid the disabled list. Diaz was off to a great start for the 1984 season, but a collision at the plate required knee surgery and he missed almost 6 weeks. Other injuries cost him big chunks of time in June and July, and another knee surgery in August ended his season.
Ozzie Virgil took over as the starting catcher while Diaz was hurt, and Virgil was the starter as the 1985 season began. Diaz still couldn't stay healthy, and was hit by a pitch that broke two bones in his wrist in April. In May, while still on the DL, he was hospitalized with kidney stones.
Diaz was traded to the Reds in August 1985, where he was reunited with former teammate and Reds manager Pete Rose. Diaz played well for the Reds and was healthy. He had another niche accomplishment–he threw out would-be base stealer Robby Thompson 4 times on June 27, 1986. He made the All-Star team again in 1987. He was slowed by shoulder and knee problems in 1988 and knee issues in 1989. He played his last game on July 9, 1989. He tried to come back from his injuries, but by now he was in his late 30s and his body would no longer cooperate.
Diaz died tragically on Nov. 23, 1990 at home in Venezuela. He was adjusting a satellite TV dish on his roof on a windy day when the dish fell on him, crushing his neck and killing him instantly.
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