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Jose Canseco is baseball's first player to steal 40 bases and hit 40 home runs

José Canseco Capas Jr. is a Cuban-American former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB).

José Canseco Capas Jr. is a Cuban-American former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). During his time with the Oakland Athletics, he established himself as one of the premier power hitters in the game. He won the Rookie of the Year (1986), and Most Valuable Player award (1988), and was a six-time All-Star. Canseco is a two-time World Series champion with the Oakland Athletics (1989) and the New York Yankees (2000).

In 1988, Canseco became the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in one season. He won the Silver Slugger Award four times: three as an American League (AL) outfielder (1988, 1990, 1991), and once as a designated hitter (1998).

Historical Significance

José Canseco Capas Jr.

Key People

José Canseco

Athlete

Cuban baseball player

– present

Events Before

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  3. Astronomers at the University of California witness the first observation of the birth of a galaxy

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  4. Opera impresario Sir Rudolf Bing (85) weds Carroll Douglass (45); annulled in September, 1989

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  5. Pennsylvania politician R. Budd Dwyer shoots and kills himself at a press conference on live national television, sparki

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Events After

  1. Fall of the Berlin Wall

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  2. Year of the Young Reader begins

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  3. British comedy sketch series "A Bit of Fry and Laurie", starring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, debuts on BBC1

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  4. Poland's communist government begins "Round Table" talks with the Solidarity trade union and its leader Lech Wałęsa in a

    Poland's communist government begins "Round Table" talks with the Solidarity trade union and its leader Lech Wałęsa in an attempt to ease growing social unrest

  5. NBA power forward Charles Barkley (26) weds legal aide Maureen Blumhardt in Elkton, Maryland

    NBA power forward Charles Barkley (26) weds legal aide Maureen Blumhardt in Elkton, Maryland

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on September 23, 1988?
José Canseco Capas Jr. is a Cuban-American former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). During his time with the Oakland Athletics, he established himself as one of the premier power hitters in the game.
Why is Jose Canseco is baseball's first player to steal 40 bases and hit 40 home runs significant?
José Canseco Capas Jr.
Who was involved in Jose Canseco is baseball's first player to steal 40 bases and hit 40 home runs?
Key figures include José Canseco (Athlete).

Explore More

September 23 in HistoryYear 1988