Benny Ayala

Benigno Ayala Felix (born February 7, 1951) is a Puerto Rican former Major League Baseball player who had a 10-season career from 1974 to 1985.

Ayala made his major league debut as the Mets' starting left fielder at Shea Stadium on August 27, 1974.

With one out and the bases empty, he hit a home run in his first at bat off the Houston Astros' Tom Griffin to open a three-run rally in the bottom of the second inning in a 4–2 Mets victory.

[1] Wearing uniform number 18 and strictly a corner outfielder, Ayala played in only 45 games with the Mets (23 in 1974, 22 in 1976).

[4] He was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles from the Cardinals for Mike Dimmel on January 16, 1979 and assigned to the Rochester Red Wings.