Michael Anthony Diaz (born April 15, 1960) is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball between 1983 and 1988, for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox. He also played four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1989 to 1992. After starting his career as a catcher, he split his time about equally between first base and the outfield.

He was traded along with Bill Campbell from the Cubs to the Philadelphia Phillies for Gary Matthews, Bob Dernier and Porfi Altamirano on March 27, 1984.

Mike Diaz

A fan favorite in Pittsburgh, he earned the nickname "Rambo" due to his prodigious power & Stallone-esque physique. He even appeared on his own "Rambo" poster with the proceeds going to Pittsburgh's Children's Hospital. Following his major league career, he played four seasons in Japan, from 1989 until 1992, for the Lotte Orions (who in 1992 became the Chiba Lotte Marines). He was nicknamed "Rambo-san" there due to a perceived resemblance to Sylvester Stallone. In 1990, he became the first foreign player to catch a game in NPB in 12 years.

Mike Diaz

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External links

1960 births

American expatriate baseball players in Japan

Baseball players from San Francisco

Chiba Lotte Marines players

Chicago Cubs players

Chicago White Sox players

Geneva Cubs players

Gulf Coast Cubs players

Hawaii Islanders players

Iowa Cubs players

Living people

Lotte Orions players

Major League Baseball first basemen

Major League Baseball outfielders

Midland Cubs players

Nippon Professional Baseball designated hitters

Pittsburgh Pirates players

Portland Beavers players

Quad Cities Cubs players

Mike Diaz