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06/24/2004 Archived Entry: "Mexican League News:Season Ended , Play Offs are coming:"
By Carlos Fragoso
Mexican League regular season comes to an end, and play off are coming in Saturday June the 26th, when Puebla plays Aguascalientes, Saltillo will host Laguna and Monterrey Sultans to Tijuana Toros, in the North division.
Meanwhile,in the south, the Mexico City Red Devils will host Yucatan, Campeche will do the same with Tabasco and Tigers will play Oaxaca.
As season ended, unofficial champions in a diferernt categories were released, having in Demond Smith, of Monteerey, getting the batting title,with a .406 avg, while Izzy Alcantara, the HR king with 27, Roberto Saucedo the RBI man, with 97, Rontrez Johnson tied with Carlos Valencia of Tijuana, leaders in hits with 129, Chad Meyers ,who once was a regarded prospect with Cubs, got 10 triples,to lead this department.
In pitching, there was nobody but Frank "K´s" Campos, the White Sox farmhand, who got the triple crown becoming only the second Mexican pitcher to ever do that, since Francisco Ramirez obtained this jewel, back in 1956, so it´s been 48 years since last time a pitcher got this accomplishment.
He posted a 12.2 winning record, with 99 K´s and 1.69 ERA pitching for Campeche.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Just before season ended, Dominican IF, Pedro Santana hit for the cycle for Oaxaca, while his team defeated Veracruz, in June 20th.
Mario Mendoza, famous for his fielding ability but weak hitting in his big league career, was surprisingly demoted as Tigers Manager after Devis swept them in 3 games, and was replaced by then hitting coach, former big leaguer Andres Mora.
Red Devils, now skipped by former Big, Roberto Kelly ,also replaced Bernie Tatis as Manager.
MEXICAN TOP PERFORMERS IN MINORS.
Luis Alfonso Garcia (Las Vegas), got his 20th HR of the season, 5 shy of leader Calvin Pickering, showing his power ability, to look for a Dodgers call up soon.
SS, Jorge Cantu (Durham), also showing long ball skill, as well as OF Mario Valenzuela (Charlotte), who arrived to his 12th round tripper of the season, 1B Jesu Cota, a Diamondbacks, prospect, also excelling in the Texas League, good enough to be included in Futures Games.
SS,Luis Cruz ,also showing his improvements with Lake Elsinor, has received a call to participate in league all star game, as well as Geronimo Gil (Ottawa).
Mexican American brothers, Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez, both with Texas organization are just having terrific season, one with Oklahoma,(.303 avg) and the other with Frisco (.324 avg;).
Edga just played the Texas League all star game, and gone 2-1 in the game
Replies: 4 comments
Certainly, there might be some cards around,like the ones described by Robert, that has been instrumented as advertising aids,but up to my knowledge not spread it up to all teams nor all years.
As I said before, comercially speaking, no one here has taken care of that activity.
Posted by Carlos Fragoso @ 06/28/2004 11:08 PM EST
I have some Bimbo cards made in 2002; Some cards from 1991; the 1985 TCMA Tigres set; and Mexican Pacific league cards from the 1970s.
Posted by Robert Kiyoshi Shadlow @ 06/28/2004 08:58 AM EST
Thanks, Chris and unfortunately there is not cards available for Mexican Baseball anywhere.
Posted by Carlos Fragoso @ 06/26/2004 09:10 AM EST
Thanks for keeping me updated on the Mexican League. I enjoy reading your articles and can hardley wait for the next one. I am looking for Mexican Baseball Cards. If you know where I can find them email me.
Posted by Chris Johns @ 06/25/2004 10:50 PM EST
