Viva Beisbol
by Bruce Baskin
April 2, 2006 - Mexican League (ML)
MONTERREY - After a strange 2005 season in which manager Hector Torres was fired despite a first-half title, after which the team faded badly in the second half and was eliminated in the playoffs, the Monterrey Sultanes are the talk of the Mexican League by cranking out nine victories to begin the 2006 campaign.
Not surprisingly, the Sultanes have taken 2.5-game Northern Division lead over second-place Puebla, who has joined the LMB North after swapping places with the Mexico City Diablos Rojos. Monterrey is hitting a Liga-leading .346 as a team, paced by outfielder Edgar Quintero's .486 average and a strong all-around .384/5HR/16RBI performance by catcher Angel Pena. Quintero is second in the early LMB bat race behind Veracruz' Willis Otanez, who is cracking the ball at a .512 clip.
Lost in the glare from the Sultanes' batters has been a nice start from their pitching staff. Monterrey's 3.46 earned-run average is tops in the division, but perhaps more impressive is the fact that manager Bernie Tatis' mound staff has allowed just 19 walks in 83 innings pitched while striking out 70 batters. Both figures are Liga bests this far.
Things are a little less clearly defined in the LMB South, where Tabasco holds a one-game lead over three teams (Angelopolis, Mexico City and Veracruz), with fifth-place Campeche sitting just 1.5 games out of first. While the 7-3 Olmecas' .299 batting average with six home runs are far from awe-inspiring, they've gotten solid pitching with a 3.03 team ERA, by far best in the LMB's first two weeks. Jesus "Chito" Rios, whose career did NOT start when Benito Juarez was Mexico's president, is leading the way with a 1-0 record and a 1.50 ERA. After an unsettled winter in which rumors of the team's bankruptcy abounded, new manager Mario Mendoza has settled things down and got the Olmecas off to a good start in the Liga's March schedule.
MEXICAN LEAGUE Northern Division
1) MONTERREY SULTANES (9-0/1.000/0GB)
Last 10 Games: 9-0. Current Streak: Won 9.
Leading Batters: Edgar Quintero (.486/2/8), Heber Gomez (.419/0/7), Angel Pena (.384/5/16)
Leading Pitchers: Walter Silva (2-0/2.84), Maximo de la Rosa (2-0/0.00/2SV)
2) PUEBLA PERICOS (7-3/.700/2.5GB)
Last 10 Games: 7-3. Current Streak: Won 1.
Leading Batters: Lorenzo Buelna (.472/1/5), Donny Leon (.421/3/9), Albino Contreras (.340)
Leading Pitchers: Emil Kamar (2-0/3.38), Eric Knott (1-1/4.15), Luis Macias (2-0/0.00)
3) SAN LUIS POTOSI TUNEROS (7-4/.636/3.0GB)
Last 10 Games: 7-3. Current Streak: Lost 2.
Leading Batters: Hector Alvarez (.410/1/4), Omar Mendoza (.385/0/4), Carlos Villalobos (.381/3/7)
Leading Pitchers: Edgar Leyva (2-0/4.50), Jose Cobos (2-0/3.86), Mauro Nieblas (0-0/0.00/3SV)
4) SALTILLO SARAPEROS (5-4/.556/4.0GB)
Last 10 Games: 5-4. Current Streak: Lost 2.
Leading Batters: Sergio Guerrero (.400/1/6), Jose Munoz (.400), Jorge Luis Valle (.297/1/4)
Leading Pitchers: Mario Mendoza Jr. (0-1?2.77), Alejandro Rios (1-0/3.12), Miguel Duarte (1-0/3.18)
5) TIJUANA POTROS (5-5/.500/4.5GB)
Last 10 Games: 5-5. Current Streak: Lost 1.
Leading Batters: Derrick White (.452/1/7), Luis Figueroa (.300), Heriberto Salas (.292)
Leading Pitchers: Alonso Beltran (2-0/2.45), Claudo Moreno 2GS/0-0/3.18), Adolfo Delfin (0-0/2.00/2SV)
6) MONCLOVA ACEREROS (4-6/.400/5.5GB)
Last 10 Games: 4-6. Current Streak: Won 1,
Leading Batters: Hector Garanzuay (.438/2/7), Raul Lopez (.425/0/5), Carlos Resendez (.342/4/9)
Leading Pitchers: Daniel Lopez (1-0/1.54), Jasiel Acosta (1-0/4.09), Enrique Ramirez (1-2/3.24/2SV)
7) LAGUNA VAQUEROS (3-7/.300/6.5GB)
Last 10 Games: 3.7. Current Streak: Lost 1.
Leading Batters: Rafael Castaneda (.591), Ramon Espinosa (.395/1/10), Julio Reyes (.342)
Leading Pitchers: Fernando Barreras (1-0/1.46), Ramon Garcia (0-1/3.75), Jose Mercedes (0-2/5.79/3SV)
8) AGUASCALIENTES RIELEROS (1-9/.100/8.5GB)
Last 10 Games: 1-9. Current Streak: Lost 4.
Leading Batters: Raul Sanchez (.452/2/8), Abel Martinez (.429), Jose Nieves (.333/5/11)
Leading Pitchers: Ricardo Palma (1-0/2.77), Hector Chavarria (0-0/5.40), Eduardo Salgado (0-2/6.14)
MEXICAN LEAGUE Southern Division
1) TABASCO OLMECAS (7-3/.700/0GB)
Last 10 Games: 7-3. Current Streak: Won 3.
Leading Batters: Hernando Arredondo (.425/1/5), Tom Evans (.395/4/12), Pedro Swann (.310/1/7)
Leading Pitchers: Jesus "Chito" Rios (1-0/1.50), Oscar Rivera (1-0/0.77), Heberto Gonzalez (2-1/1.13)
2T) ANGELOPOLIS TIGRES (6-4/.600/1.0GB)
Last 10 Games: 6-4. Current Streak: Lost 1.
Leading Batters: Javier Robles (.429/5/14), Matias Carrillo (.324), Luis Carlos Garcia (.324)
Leading Pitchers: Jesus Guzman (2-0/0.00), Baudel Zambrano (2-0/4.50), Jesus Olague (2GS/0-0/0.90)
2T) MEXICO CITY DIABLOS ROJOS (6-4/.600/1.0GB)
Last 10 Games: 6-4. Current Streak: Lost 3.
Leading Batters: Manuel Velez (.478/3/7), Roberto Mendez (.471/6/12), Carlos Valencia (.432/0/9)
Leading Pitchers: Roberto Ramirez (2-0/7.15), Rudy Gonzalez (1-0/1.42), Joakim Soria (0.00/1SV)
2T) VERACRUZ ROJOS AGUILAS (6-4/.600/1.0GB)
Last 10 Games: 6-4. Current Streak: Won 1.
Leading Batters: Willis Otanez (.519/0/5), Omar Ramirez (.410), Santiago Gonzalez (.394)
Leading Pitchers: Hector Navarro (1-0/2.19), Obed Vega (1-1/3.60), Sixto Baez (0-0/1.69/4SV)
5) CAMPECHE PIRATAS (6-5/.545/1.5GB)
Last 10 Games: 5-5. Current Streak: Won 2.
Leading Batters: Flavio Romero (.432/6/22), Roberto Vizcarra (.378/2/11), Abraham Valencia (.355)
Leading Pitchers: Francisco Campos (1-0/1.80), Miguel Ruiz (2GS/0-0/0.00), Willis Roberts (1.80/1SV)
6) YUCATAN LEONES (3-7/.300/4.0GB)
Last 10 Games: 3-7. Current Streak: Won 2.
Leading Batters: Luis Arredondo (.438/2/5), Alan Arredondo (.367), Willie Romero (.351/1/4)
Leading Pitchers: Oscar Rivera (1-0/1.74), Fernando Villalobos (0-0/3.72), Jose Vargas (0-2/2.70/2SV)
7) OAXACA GUERREROS (2-7/.222/4.5GB)
Last 10 Games: 2-7. Current Streak: Won 1.
Leading Batters: Efren Espinoza (.441/3/8), Pedro Valdez (.357), Ivan Cervantes (.333)
Leading Pitchers: Carlos Garcia 1-1/2.84), Carlos Pulido (1-1/5.73), Francisco Madero (0-0/4.00)
8) POZA RICA PETROLEROS (2-7/.222/4.5GB)
Last 10 Games: 2-7. Current Streak: Lost 1.
Leading Batters: Selwyn Langaigne (.400/1/5), Jose Amado (.385/3/6), Jose Acuna (.351/0/4)
Leading Pitchers: Juan Martinez (0-1/3.18), Guadalupe Perez (1-0/4.91), Angel Tovar (0-2/18.00/2SV)
LMB STATISTICAL LEADERS as of April 2, 2006
BATTING
GAMES: 10 Several players
AT BATS: 47 Albino Contreras, Puebla
RUNS SCORED: 12 Raul Sanchez, Aguascalientes
HITS: 19 Raul Sanchez, Aguascalientes; Derrick White, Tijuana; Carlos Valencia, Mexico City
TOTAL BASES: 35 Roberto Mendez, Mexico City
DOUBLES: 9 Derrick White, Tijuana
TRIPLES: 2 Flavio Romero, Campeche; Jose Acuna, Poza Rica
HOME RUNS: 6 Roberto Mendez, Mexico City
RBIs: 16 Angel Pena, Monterrey
STOLEN BASES: 5 Willie Romero, Yucatan
CAUGHT STEALING: 4 Santiago Perez, Tabasco
STRIKEOUTS: 12 Melvin Nieves, Laguna
BASES ON BALLS: 11 Flavio Romero, Campeche
BATTING AVERAGE: .519 Willis Otanez, Veracruz
ON-BASE PERCENTAGE: .591 Roberto Mendez, Mexico City
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: .591 Roberto Mendez, Mexico City
PITCHING
GAMES: 8 Adrian Ramirez, Monclova
INNINGS PITCHED: 14.2 Eduardo Salgado, Aguascalientes
GAMES STARTED: 3 Pablo Ortega, Angelopolis; Denny Harriger, Monclova; Miguel Gonzalez, Saltillo
COMPLETE GAMES: 1 Mario Mendoza Jr., Saltillo
SHUTOUTS: None
WINS: 2 Several pitchers
LOSSES: 2 Several pitchers
W-L PERCENTAGE (2 decisions): 1.000 Several pitchers
SAVES: 4 Sixto Baez, Veracruz
EARNED RUN AVERAGE: 0.00 Miguel Ruiz, Campeche (12.1 IP)
HITS ALLOWED: 23 Denny Harriger, Monclova
RUNS ALLOWED: 14 Abraham Elvira, Aguascalientes
EARNED RUNS ALLOWED: 12 Denny Harriger, Monclova
HOME RUNS ALLOWED: 3 Several pitchers
STRIKEOUTS: 14 Ricardo Palma, Aguascalientes
BASES ON BALLS: 9 Miguel Gonzalez, Saltillo; Francisco Madera, Oaxaca
LMB MANAGERS and IMPORT PLAYERS
Aguascalientes (Alex Taveras): Eduardo Rios, Alex Delgado, Jose Nieves, Ricardo Palma
Angelopolis (Enrique "Che" Reyes): No imports
Campeche (Francisco Estrada): Jose Leon, Jon Nunnally, Damon Minor, Willis Roberts
Laguna (Fernando Elizondo): Jose Mercedes, Melvin Nieves, Ramon Espinosa, Eddie Diaz
Mexico City (Marco Antonio Vazquez): No imports
Monclova (Chico Rodriguez): Guillermo Garcia, Juan Camilo, Denny Harriger, Enrique Ramirez
Monterrey (Bernie Tatis): Isabel Giron, Maximo de la Rosa, Dionys Cesar, Angel Pena
Oaxaca (Homar Rojas): Chris Latham, Pedro Valdes, Juan Carlos Pulido, Kevin Tolar
Poza Rica (Jose Ruiz): Jose Amado, Selwyn Langaigne, Eduardo Villacis, Angel Tovar
Puebla (Gerald Sanchez): Donny Leon, Manny Martinez, Edwards Guzman, Eric Knott
Saltillo (Derek Bryant): Steve Bourgeois, Carlos Morla, Elio Serrano, Morgan Burkhart
San Luis (Dan Firova): Carlos Villalobos, Sharnol Adriana, Darryl Brinkley
Tabasco (Mario Mendoza): Santiago Perez, Pedro Swan, Tom Evans, Jose Santiago
Tijuana (Houston Jimenez): Derrick White, George Arias, Luis Figueroa, Nelson Cruz
Veracruz (Rolando Camarero): Omar Ramirez, Willis Otanez, Tilson Brito, Alex Fernandez
Yucatan (Lino Rivera): Willie Romero, Pedro Castellano, Jose Vargas, Scott Bullett
MEXICAN LEAGUE Schedule (April 4-13, 2006)
APRIL 4-6
Aguascalientes at Mexico City, Monterrey at Campeche, Monclova at Yucatan, Oaxaca at Saltillo, San Luis at Poza Rica, Tabasco at Puebla, Angelopolis at Laguna, Veracruz at Tijuana
APRIL 7-9
Aguascalientes at Poza Rica, Monterrey at Yucatan, Monclova at Campeche, Oaxaca at Laguna, San Luis at Mexico City, Tabasco at Tijuana, Angelopolis at Saltillo, Veracruz at Puebla
APRIL 11-13
Campeche at Oaxaca, Mexico City at Tabasco, Poza Rica at Veracruz, Puebla at Monclova, Saltillo at Aguascalientes, Tijuana at Monterrey, Laguna at San Luis, Yucatan at Angelopolis
MAESTROS of MEXICO: Aurelio Lopez, Pitcher (1967-78)
A popular relief pitcher known as "Senor Smoke," Aurelio Alejandro Lopez Rios was a successful hurler on both sides of the border. Born September 21, 1948 in Tecamachalco, Puebla, Lopez broke into pro ball with Chiapas in the Class A Mexican Southeast League in 1967 and moved up to the Mexico City Diablos Rojos the following season. Primarily a starter in his early Liga career, Lopez won 36 games for the Diablos over his first three seasons, including a 16-11 mark with an ERA of 2.98 and 14 complete games in 1970. He eventually converted to relief, and led the LMB with 60 appearances in 1974, registering 20 saves.
That led to a call-up to the Kansas City Royals near the end of the season, who sent him back to Mexico City after an unsuccessful stint with KC. He then reeled off 33 wins and 69 saves between 1975 and 1977 for the Diablos, winning the Liga MVP award his final season after going an amazing 19-3 with 30 saves and a microscopic 2.01 ERA (no mean feat in Mexico City) in 73 relief appearances. After that, he was sold to the St. Louis Cardinals, who dealt him to Detroit after going 4-2 in 1978.
It was with the Tigers that Senor Smoke finally started having the kind of success he'd had in Mexico, turning in a 10-5 record with 21 saves in 1979. He then led the American League in relief wins in 1980 by going 13-6 and collected another 21 saves for Detroit. After a couple of off seasons, Lopez rebounded in 1983 by fashioning a 9-8 record, picking up 18 saves and playing in the All-Star Game that year. 1984 was even better, as Lopez helped the Tigers to a World Series title by winning 10 of 11 decisions during the regular season as a setup man for Cy Young Award winner and MVP Willie Hernandez, and also won the fifth and deciding game of the Series against San Diego. That would prove to be the peak year for Lopez.
After going just 3-7 in 1985, the six-foot, 220-pound righty signed as a free agent with Houston, but won just five games and saved eight over two seasons for the Astros before retiring after the 1987 season at age 39. In his 11 big league campaigns (including that short eight-game stint with the Royals in 1974), Lopez had an excellent 62-36 record with 93 saves and a 3.56 ERA. Prior to that, he was 97-83 with 99 saves in ten Mexican League seasons with the Diablos, recording a fine 3.16 ERA. Sadly, Lopez died in an auto accident on September 22, 1992 in Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, just one day after his 44th birthday. He was posthumously selected to the Salon de la Fama the following year, and remains the most successful major league reliever ever to hail from Mexico.
NEXT MAESTRO: Ismael Valdez, pitcher
FOR MORE INFO ON MEXICAN PRO BASEBALL, VISIT www.VivaBeisbol.net
Mexican League Stories from April 2, 2006
- Viva Beisbol - OSC Original by Bruce Baskin
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
