Benito Santiago Biography

Benito Santiago Rivera, born on March 9, 1965, is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball player who competed in Major League Baseball. He has played as a catcher for twenty seasons, primarily with the San Diego Padres, earning multiple accolades including four Silver Slugger Awards and three Gold Glove Awards. During his rookie season, he set a Major League record by recording a hit in 34 consecutive games. Santiago was selected as the National League Rookie of the Year in 1987, receiving unanimous recognition for his performance. In 1990, he maintained a .317 batting average and had hit nine home runs before being sidelined for six weeks after being struck by a pitch. Before the 1991 season, he requested a four-year contract valued at $11 million, but the arbitration process awarded him a one-year deal worth $1.65 million. After the 1992 season, he announced his intention to depart the Padres upon becoming eligible for free agency.