Lafayette Drillers Flashback: Silvano Quezada

The Lafayette Drillers, a Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, called Lafayette, Louisiana their home for two years, from 1975-1976.

The Drillers, who played their home games at Clark Field, were co-champions of the Texas League in 1975 with the Midland Cubs, finishing 72-57, before going 58-76 in 1976, the last year of affiliated professional baseball in Lafayette.

A number of outstanding players, who eventually made it into Major League Baseball ranks played at Clark Field in 1975 & 1976, including five former Lafayette Driller players.

All summer long, we’re taking a look back at some of the former players for the Drillers.

Today, Silvano Quezada

Quezada was a pitcher, primarily a reliever, for the Drillers during the 1975 season.

A native of Sabana de la Mar, a province of the Dominican Republic, Quezada was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization at the age of 21.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Quezada began pitching professionally in the United States all the way back in 1961, and had pitched in 11 different cities, before joining the Drillers in 1975 at the age of 35.

With Lafayette, Quezada pitched in 45 games in ’75, all but two in relief, going 4-6 with a 2.57 earned run average, and a team-leading 13 saves.

In 84 innings pitched, Quezada allowed 65 hits, 24 earned runs, and 23 walks, while striking out 47 hitters.

Along with saves, the tall, lanky right-hander also led the team in appearances.

Quezada pitched one more year of professional baseball, after his stint in Lafayette, going 5-10, with a 4.54 ERA., and six saves for Phoenix in 1976.

Quezada concluded his long 14-year professional career going 104-94, with a 3.99 ERA, and 26 saves, over 495 appearances.