Who is Winston Llenas? 

August 26, 2026

By Kevin Glew 

Cooperstowners in Canada 

Who is Winston Llenas? 

And why don’t I remember him? 

Those were my first two thoughts when I stumbled across his card while leafing through my 1988 Toronto Blue Jays Fire Safety set a few weeks ago. 

If you follow this blog, you’ll know that I pride myself in remembering even the most obscure Blue Jays, but when I came across the Llenas card, I drew a complete blank.   

I had no recollection of him as a Blue Jays coach. So, I decided to conduct some research and educate myself about him. 

Dominican baseball legend

It turns out that Llenas is a trailblazer and respected leader in Dominican and Latin American baseball circles.  

Signed in 1961 by the Kansas City Athletics at the age of 18, he was one of the earliest Dominican players to land a big league contract.  

In the ensuing 65 years, Llenas established himself as a first-rate major league pinch-hitter, an esteemed instructor and manager and a baseball icon in his home country.  

Hired by Blue Jays

In November 1987, Llenas was promoted to a coaching position with the big league Blue Jays. His job would be to contribute game strategy, work with the infielders and serve as a liaison with the club’s growing number of Latin American players. 

It seemed like the perfect fit for him. He had served as a roving minor league instructor in the organization the previous season. 

But there was a dark cloud hanging over the Blue Jays in spring training in 1988. Fresh off becoming the first Blue Jay to win the American League MVP Award, Dominican slugger George Bell had been told he was being moved from left field to designated hitter. It was a move that enraged Bell. At one point, he even went so far as to suggest that that the Blue Jays were Anti-Dominican. 

This was what Llenas, whose job description included working extensively with the Latin American players, was walking into. 

The Blue Jays were looking for a mentor for young players like Manuel Lee, Nelson Liriano, Sil Campusano and Jose Nunez and Bell was clearly not in the frame of mind to be one, neither was Tony Fernandez. 

Strong resume

The 44-year-old Llenas came to the job with an impressive resume and a sterling reputation. After becoming one of the earliest Dominican players ever signed by a big league club, he spent parts of six seasons with the California Angels between 1968 and 1975 where he developed into an elite pinch-hitter. 

He also played professionally in Japan and Mexico. But each year he returned to play Winter ball in the Dominican Republic where he was a revered middle-of-the-order hitter. 

Following his playing career, he managed in the Angels’ organization. In the two seasons prior to joining the Blue Jays, he was the skipper of the triple-A Edmonton Trappers. 

“He’ll be a valuable baseball mind on the bench,” Jimy Williams told the Toronto Sun in February 1988 about Llenas’s role with the Blue Jays. “He’s been a successful manager from A ball to triple-A ball and he’s handled a lot of young players in the past. He’s also managed a lot of teams that have won. On top of that, he’ll be able to help us communicate better with the Latin players on the team.” 

Llenas believed he could be helpful in his new position.  

“Obviously, since I’m bilingual, I will be able to relate to the Latins and with our team, that’s very important,” Llenas told the Toronto Sun in March 1988. “The Jays have a large commitment in Latin America and communication is very important.” 

But Llenas made it clear that he would be more than just a translator. 

“There’s no doubt I’m here at least partly as a trouble-shooter. I think I have some experiences that can help some of the young players from making certain mistakes,” Llenas told the Toronto Sun. “I know exactly how they feel because I went through the same thing.” 

In an awkward position

But making his job with the Blue Jays awkward was that while Bell continued to feud with Williams, Llenas served as a translator for Campusano, the young prospect who was essentially displacing Bell in the outfield. The Blue Jays’ plan was to insert Campusano in centre field, shift Lloyd Moseby to left and Bell to DH.  

When he wasn’t working with Blue Jays infielders, Llenas could often be found advising Campusano, Lee and Liriano. Llenas would also facilitate communication between these youngsters and Williams and batting coach Cito Gaston. 

Unfortunately, the Blue Jays, who were expected to contend for a division title, never really got on track in 1988. They finished the season 87-75, tied for third in the American League East. And though Bell did get his left field job back, ill-will lingered between the slugger and his manager.  

For his part, Llenas tried valiantly to help Campusano, who floundered early in the season and finished with a .218 batting average in 73 games. Lee and Liriano, however, showed considerable improvement and Nunez posted a 3.07 ERA in 13 appearances. 

Just one season with Jays

But despite his best efforts, Llenas was let go following the season. 

“I was surprised as hell,” Llenas told the Toronto Star in February 1989 about the Blue Jays’ decision to part ways with him. “All I was told was that they decided to give Jimy some new faces and I was one of the guys going.” 

The Blue Jays offered Llenas the managerial job of the Short-Season Rookie Ball St. Catharines Blue Jays, but he declined. He considered the offer an insult.  

“One day, I’d really like to figure it out,” Llenas told the Toronto Star in February 1989 of the Blue Jays’ decision to let him go. “Was I supposed to control George Bell? Not even the manager can control him.” 

Llenas returned to his home country to serve as an executive/part-owner of the Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican Winter League.  

Now approaching his 83^rd birthday, he is revered as a baseball legend and trailblazer in his home country. 

And after researching and writing this article, I’m left thinking that this is all stuff I should have known when I stumbled upon his baseball card in my 1988 Toronto Blue Jays Fire Safety set a few weeks ago.