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09/10/2005 Archived Entry: "Mexican League News: Saltillo still under Cananea Reyes Curse"
By Carlos Fragoso
It has been 36 seasons of championship series droughtness fo Saltillo, since 1971 when playing the Jalisco Charros managed by the late Ben "Cananea" Reyes and ahead in series 3-0, when they come from behind and beat them up in 7 games, to sart up making history by not getting any final series since then.
This year was their 6th title series lost, against Angelopolis Tigers and second in as many years, as they lost 2004 final series off Campeche Pirates.
If you believe in magic, thereīs some kind of that affecting the "Mexican Athens" city of Saltillo, and it seems like Cananea Reyes put a spell on them since that 1971 year when Charros captured their second pennant.
That year led by Bill Parlier a guy who devastated the California League as a promising California Angels prospect in the mid 60īs, and the ggod pitching of Venezuelan Pablo Torrealba and Max Leon, who combined for a 27-15 record took the Sout Diiviion title in a very close race against Mexico City Devils, with just half game of advantage over them.
Again in 1972, Saltillo lost the Championship series off Cordoba Cafeteros under manager Mario "Toche" Pelaez in 6 games, so making the Saltillo manager Tommy Herrera losing their second try in a row.
For Cordoba, Panamanian and former Yankees prospect, Ossie Chavarria carried all Coffe Growers offensive batting .355 and Dominican Silvano Quezada winning 21 games plus, Ramon Arano another to support Cordobal all season long.
Once again in 1973, now the Mexico City Red Devils under Cuban Wilfredo Calviņo bet Saltillo 4-3 games, to made them 3 in a row.
Red Devils get support from 6 players who finished above .300 BA, led by 3B Abelardo Vega ( now the 3B coach), Miguel Suarez , Ramon Montoya, Adolfo Phillips ,Trinidad Aguirre and Sergio Robles, plus the pitching of Alfredo Ortiz and Enrique Romo who won 17 games each to get the title.
In 1988, Cananea Reyes did the trick once again beating Saltillo in 5 games, thanks to a great seasons performed by Nelson Barrera (.372) , Lorenzo Bundy (.317) , Salome Barojas (14-4 ) and Luis Mendez ( 14-5).
Saltillo managed by Victor Favela, had also good performers such as Greg Smith ( .356) and Lemmie Miller ( .351), plus the good pitching from Armando Reynoso who later signed with Atlanta to start a decent big leagues career and Ricardo Solis who won 17 games.
In 2004, Campeche defeated Saltillo in 7 games to make it 5 times, witout winning a finale series, and this year Tigers completed to make it 6.
One has to realize that, Saltillo has one championship , under an asterisk, when in 1980 in a players strike shortened season, they got the first place among 6 teams remained in the season, and playing only 39 games.
Before that to happenend, Saltillo were 7.5 games behind the North Division leader , the Ciudad Juarez Indios.
So, letīs wait now untill next season to find out whether they continue or not with this kind of curse that is affecting Saltillo.
