Editor’s Note: This note was originally published in May 2018.
Mexico has boasted great moments in the “King of Sports” such as Ángel Macías’ perfect game in 1957 or the triumph of the national representative against the United States in the World Baseball Classic held in 2013, but it is impossible to understand the passion for this sport without remembering great names of the Aztec baseball players.
next in ESPN Digital We present 10 historical Mexicans who have played in the Major Leagues.
Note: The names arose through a consultation with specialists from ESPN and they were placed by the number of votes.
Fernando Valenzuela (1980-1997)
Mexico does not boast players in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but it is undoubtedly the one that has generated the most controversy around this issue when it comes to ballots. His career in the Major Leagues, mainly while he was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, had a great boom in the country by uncovering ‘Fernandomania’.
He won the Cy Young and the Rookie of the Year Award in 1981. He was invited to six All-Star Games and earned a World Series ring.
He is the leader among Mexicans with victories (173) and also boasts a game without hit or career (1990).
Beto Avila (1949-1959)
He divided his eleven years in the Big Top among four ninths but his best moment was, without a doubt, with the Cleveland Indians between 1952 and 1955 when he was invited to three All-Star Games in addition to consecrating himself as American League bat champion in 1954 with a .341 batting percentage.
He made it to a World Series but came out empty-handed. Representatives of the Mexican Baseball League paid tribute to the man from Veracruz since a couple of parks bear his name.
Aurelio Rodriguez (1967-1983)
The Sonoran stood out more for his defensive work than what he could contribute with the bat. He was tasked with guarding the hot corner for most of his career and was always recognized for his great arm. In 1976 he won the American League Gold Glove with the Detroit Tigers.
He closed his career with a .237 batting percentage with 124 home runs.
Adrian Gonzalez (2004-present)
The ‘Titan’ has established himself as perhaps the most complete Mexican who has stepped on the diamonds of the Big Top. He is second in homers (314), but already first in RBI (1,193).
He has also stood out for his work with the glove at first base, boasting four Gold Gloves and his ability to hit has given him a pair of silver bats (one in each league).
So far he has five All-Star Game invitations but hasn’t won the World Series title. At the time he signed the most lucrative contract for a Mexican upon reaching the Boston Red Sox (2011).
Vinicio Castilla (1991-2006)
The Oaxacan also boasts a memorable afternoon in Monterrey by connecting four hits, but his career in the Major Leagues goes further.
He was the first Aztec baseball player to exceed a thousand RBIs and to reach the figure of 300 home runs.
His best moment came with the Colorado Rockies, but he also had good numbers with the Atlanta Braves. He appeared in three All-Star Games.
Jorge Orta (1972-1987)
The native of Mazatlan continues as the Mexican with the most stolen bases in history (79 to 78 of Beto Ávila). He only surpassed 80 RBIs in a couple of seasons, but it was in 1975 and 1980 when he was invited to the American League Midseason Classic.
Orta is remembered by fans of the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals for a controversial play at first base in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series during the ninth inning that opened the winning door for the ninth of Dick Howser.
Esteban Loaiza (1995-2008)
He is only the second pitcher to appear on the list. His final numbers show a 4.65 ERA, but the Mexican had a great season in 2003 with the Chicago White Sox in which he earned 21 wins in 34 starts with a 2.90 ERA in 226.1 innings of work, which earned him one of his two All-Star Games.
The Tijuana native finished with 126 lifetime victories, which places him in second place among Mexicans, a department in which he is only surpassed by “Toro” Valenzuela. He also ranks fourth in strikeouts with 1,382.
Joakim Soria (2007-present)
The ‘Monclova Whip’ was the most dominant closer in the Major Leagues in two seasons with more than 40 saves while defending the flannel of the Kansas City Royals.
Soria began his career with the Diablos Rojos del México and the Yaquis de Ciudad Obregón until he made the leap to the best baseball in the world with the Missouri franchise.
He currently remains in the Big Tent with the Chicago White Sox, ninth with which he continues to add games saved and increasing his figure as the best Mexican in this department by boasting 208.
Teodoro Higuera (1985-1994)
In 1985, with a 15-8 record and a 3.90 ERA, he was a serious contender for Rookie of the Year. He continued his great stint in the Big Tent with a 20-win season in 34 appearances that accompanied a 2.79 ERA and an invitation to his only All-Star Game.
In 1986 he established a personal best in complete games (15) and shutouts (4), but from that moment on he began a decline with injuries that reduced his performance.
Teddy, as they used to call him in Milwaukee, finished his career with 94 wins, a 3.61 ERA and 1,081 strikeouts in his time in the majors.
Roberto Osuna (2015-2018)
Three full years have been enough for the Sinaloan to settle in second place in games saved among Mexicans.
Osuna broke into the Big Tent in 2015 with the Toronto Blue Jays and has since owned the ninth inning for the Canadians until becoming one of the best specialists in the Big Tent.
He recently broke the 100 save barrier and became the youngest player in history to do so. In 2017 he received his first All-Star Game invitation and set a career high with 39 saves.
His ERA, until the time of closing the note, is parked at 2.81.
