Toros Top Diablos Rojo 9-2 In Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Season Opener

TOROS POWER 3 HOME RUNS

Dennys Reyes, the 38 year old former MLB lefty, picked up the first win of the year of the 2015 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol season with 2/3 of an inning of relief work for the Toros de Tijuana. Jonathan Albaladejo was saddled with the loss as the Toros de Tijuana bested the Diablos Rojos del Mexico, 9-2, in the season opener of the LMB.

The game was scoreless until the top of the 4th. Eduardo Arredondo, 4 for 5 on the night, doubled to lead off the inning, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a fielding error by the Diablos shortstop to stake the Toros to an early 1-0 lead.

Japhet Amador led off the bottom of the 4th for the Diablos with a single but was thrown out at second trying to stretch the single into a double. Ruben Rivera followed with a double to left center and scored on a single by Emmanuel Avila to tie the score at 1.

Juan Carlos Gamboa doubled to lead off the bottom of the 5th, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single by Carlos Figueroa to give the Diablos a 2-1 lead.

CJ Retherford hit a one out solo home run to left in the top of the 7th as the Toros tied the game at 2 apiece.

CJ Retherford HR / Toros Facebook

The flood gates opened for the Toros in the top of the 9th. CJ Retherford and Roman Pena drew walks and moved up on a sacrifice bunt. After a pitching change for the Diablos, Jesus Valenzuela singled to score Retherford. Pena scored on a bunt single by Eduardo Arredondo and Luis Suarez followed with a 3 run home run to left that upped the Toros lead to 7-2. Oscar Robles singled and, with two outs, scored in front of a home run to right by Adan Munoz.

The score would remain 9-2 as the Diablos were unable to score in the bottom of the 9th and the Toros had the first win of the 2015 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol season.

Eduardo Arrendo was 4 for 5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored for the Toros while Luis Suarez had the big 3 RBI home run. The Toros had 3 home runs on the night.

Carlos Figueroa went 2 for 5 with an RBI for the Diablos while Juan Carlos Gamboa was 3 for 4. Emmanuel Avila had 2 hits in his 4 trips to the plate with an RBI.

Video Highlights

"Take Me Out To The Ballgame..."

Since the game of baseball began, fans have enjoyed a pleasant repast while taking in the national pastime. The most famous of which is the hotdog, that innocuous concoction of meat that fits nicely into a bun and can be held in one hand while imbibing a cold beer with the other.

“Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks…” became a symbol of the game of baseball. I remember walking out of Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia with peanut shells crunching under every footstep. We certainly loved our peanuts.

As the game has progressed, so have our stadium eating habits. One can eat sushi on the west coast and crab cakes on the east coast. There are more eating choices than ever. If truth be told, it can become a chore to find a simple hotdog anymore.

The year 2015 finds some crazy options at the ballpark. Take, for example, Miller Park in Milwaukee, home of the Milwaukee Brewers. This season the stadium concessionaires will offer the “Inside the Park Nachos”, a hunk of beef stuffed with refried beans, rolled in Doritos, deep fried and drizzled with sour cream and cheese. All this on a stick to leave the other hand free to keep score or maybe quaff a brew or two.

Wisconsin Ave Brat/Delaware North

The “Down Wisconsin Avenue Brat” is an 18” brat covered in gravy, french fries, cheese curds, cheese sauce, fried sauerkraut and fried jalapenos topped with sour cream and chives.

Also offered this season in Milwaukee is the “Miller Park Bratchos”, a delicious sounding combination of 4 sausages, chorizo, Italian, Polish and bratwurst chopped and served on kettle chips with sour cream, fried jalapenos and sauerkraut.

The latest from the Brewers is in response to delicacies already available in other major league parks.

The Arizona Diamondbacks offer the “D-Bat Dog”, an 18” corn dog with an equally large amount of french fries.

Churro Dog/ESPN.Com

In an effort to innovate and satisfy their many fan’s tastes, The DBacks offer the “Churro Dog”. What is a Churro Dog you ask? Well, it’s a cinnamon churro inside a glazed chocolate doughnut bun topped by a frozen yogurt sundae.

Not to be outdone, the Texas Rangers have on their menu the “Totally Rossome Boomstick”, the grandaddy of all hot dogs. A 24” monstrosity that weighs in at 1 pound topped with nachos, smoked brisket, pico de gallo, sour cream and Doritos.

The Boomstick/eatocracy.cnn.com

The Tampa Bay Rays have a “Fan V Food” burger which, if you can eat it will get you 2 tickets to a future game and a “T” shirt. This cheeseburger weighs 4 pounds and is topped with tomato, lettuce, onion, cucumber and bacon.

Fan V Food/Tampabay.com

The Pirates have “The Closer”. a quadruple grilled cheese sandwich with 9 types of cheese, candied bacon and apple compote.

The Closer/Gamedayr.com

For the sophisticated tastes, head to Camden Yards in Baltimore for the “Old Bay Roma”, sausage wrapped in a pretzel roll smothered in Old Bay Crab Dip, or the “Crab Waffle Fries”, waffle cut fries drowning in Old Bay Crab Dip.

Old Bay Roma/Twicsy.com

Whatever your culinary senses crave, you are sure to find what you desire at one of the Major League ballparks.

Buen Provecho!

JJ Watt Contnues To Help Texans...Even In The Off Season

Photo courtesy chron.com

The 2014 unanimous pick for Defensive Player of the Year, JJ Watt, continues to help the Houston Texans throughout this off season.

Watt was due to receive a $10 million roster bonus but he has agreed to a $10 million signing bonus instead.

What is the difference you ask? The entire roster bonus would count against the Texan's salary cap while the signing bonus can be spread over the next 5 years. Don't worry though, JJ will get his $10 million this year and the Texans can sure use the $8 million savings.

Read the full ESPN article here. 

Saraperos de Saltillo Top Sultanes de Monterrey 7-6 In Torneo de Tequila

Torneo de Tequila in Guadalajara

Spring training baseball came to Guadalajara for the 1st annual Torneo de Tequila played over the last two weekends. 6 teams from the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol participated in the tourney. The Rieleros de Aguascalientes won the tournament but there were some exciting games played.

On Sunday the 22nd, the Saraperos de Saltillo outlasted the Sultanes de Monterrey 7-6 in a game that saw 27 hits, a home run, 3 triples and 5 double plays. Throw in a hit batter, 5 walks and some sloppy base running and the game was fun for the fans to watch.

The Sultanes used 7 pitchers while the Saraperos sent 5 to the mound. Adrian Garza took the loss for Monterrey while Armando Rodriguez gained the victory for the Saraperos.


Monterrey pitcher

Saltillo started the scoring in the 1st inning on a double by Luis Terrero and an RBI single by Refugio de Cervantes.

Monterrey took the lead in the bottom of the 1st on a single, a double and a single, by the Sultanes Designated Hitter, that scored 2 and gave the Sultanes a 2-1 lead.

In the top of the 2nd, with runners on first and second and 2 outs, Christian Zazueta tripled to deep left center to clear the bases and put the Saraperos back on top at 3-2.

4 singles and a walk helped the Sultanes score 3 runs in the bottom of the 5th as Monterrey retook the lead 5-3. There could have been more runs scored. With the bases loaded and 1out, a fly ball to left scored the 3rd run of the inning but the runne

r on second tagged up trying to advance to third. The Saraperos center fielder wisely threw to the cut off man who tagged the runner going to third for an inning ending double play.

The Saraperos put two men on base in the top of the 7th on a walk and a single. Rufino Candelario lined a shot to the right field corner that scored a run and when the right fielder bobbled the ball, Candelario headed to second as the second run scored. The throw from right field got away from the second baseman and headed to left field. The Sultanes third baseman and shortstop chased down the errant throw leaving third base uncovered. Candelario used some heads up base running as he easily took third on the fielding miscue by the Sultanes.

Jonathan Aceves, in for the starting Saraperos catcher, led off the top of the 8th with a booming home run to left that nearly cleared the outfield stands. The ball traveled close 400 feet. The solo home run gave Saltillo a 6-5 lead.

Following a one out triple in the top of the 9th, Rufino Candelario singled to drive in his 3rd RBI of the game and stake the Saraperos to a 7-5 lead.

One of three triples on the day



The Sultanes staged a comeback in the bottom of the 9th on a lead off double and two ground balls to short. The second ground out, by Ramon Rios, drove in the sixth run for Monterrey but it wasn't enough as the next batter hit a high fly ball to the Saraperos second baseman that ended the game and gave the Saraperos de Saltillos a 7-6 victory.

Wilfredo "Willie" Romero - Leones de Yucatan Manager 2015

Wilfredo Romero, better known as Willie, born in Maracay Venezuela, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1990 and in 8 years climbed as high as Triple A Albuquerque in the organization.

Romero played for 17 years in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol for 4 different clubs. During his professional career, Willie compiled a .318 batting average in 1,794 games. He collected 2,121 hits with 414 doubles, 52 triples and 172 home runs. He drove in 1,055 runs in his career.

His best season in the LMB was with the Leones de Yucatan when he hit .366 with 150 hits in 104 games with 24 doubles, 101 RBIs and 243 total bases. In 2002, with the Saraperos de Saltillo, Romero hit .387 to lead the league. That year he had 142 hits with 29 doubles, 219 total bases and 77 RBIs while scoring 85 runs.  

Romero with the Saraperos

Romero played on LMB Championship teams for the Leones de Yucatan in 2006 and the Tigres de Quintana Roo in 2011.

In 2012, Romero took over as the manager of the Tigres de Yucatan part way through the year as a player manager.   He was also a player manager for the Acereros de Monclova in 2013 before managing the Tigres de Quintana Roo in 2014.

Manager of the Acereros de Monclova

The Leones de Yucatan named Romero as their manager for the 2015 season in September of 2014.

Leones de Yucatan

Eddie Diaz - Toros de Tijuana Manager 2015

The Dominican born Eddie Diaz has been named as the Manager of the Toros de Tijuana for the 2015 season.

Diaz began a playing career in the NY Yankees organization in 1980 and spent two years in the Cleveland Indians farm system from 1983-1984. He maintains a connection with the big leagues through his scouting ties with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Indians.

The Cafeteros de Cordoba named Diaz their interim manager in 1999 to begin a long and productive career as a manager in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol and the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico. Eddie has managed the Piratas de Canpeche, the Leones de Yucatan, The Rieleros de Aguascalientes, the Rojos del Aguilas de Veracruz, the Guerreros de Oaxaca, the Diablos Rojos de Mexico and his latest stop with the Toros de Tijuana.  

Diaz introduced as Toros manager

Eddie took over a Guerreros team in 2009 that languished in the cellar of the LMB and in 2010 had achieved an 18 game turn around, taking a 42-63 team to a record of 60-45 and a finals spot in the LMB that year. For his efforts, Diaz was named Manager of the Year.

The Venados de Mazatlan, of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, chose Diaz as their manager in 2009 where he managed for one year before moving on to the Yaquis de Obregon in 2010. His stay in Obregon brought three consecutive league championships to the Yaquis and in 2011 and 2013, Diaz led the Yaquis to championships in the Serie de Caribe. Diaz became the first non Mexican manager in the LMP to win three championships.  

Yaquis de Obregon skipper

Brian Broderick Appears In 2nd Game For Kansas City Royals

Brian Broderick, late of the Charros de Jalisco, and reigning Reliever of the Year in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, made his second appearance for the Kansas City Royals this spring.

Broderick pitched a scoreless 8th inning for the Royals, giving up 2 hits with no walks and no strikeouts as the undefeated Royals beat the winless Milwaukee Brewers 6-4.

Meanwhile, Eric Farris, from the LMP Champion Tomateros de Culiacan, was 0-1 as the Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates played to a 1-1 tie.

Rico Noel, a teammate of Farris on the Tomateros, went 0 for 1 for the San Diego Padres in a 6-3 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Hector Estrada - Rojos del Aguilas de Veracruz Manager 2015

Hector Estrada, the newest manager of the Red Eagles of Veracruz, began playing baseball in the Mexican League in 1986. Estrada played for 23 years as a catcher and 1st baseman for 11 different teams. In the years 2000-2007, Hector hit .255 with 57 home runs and 246 RBIs.

In 2000, Estrada hit 19 home runs and drove in 83 for the Leones de Yucatan. His .356 batting average in 1991 for the Diablos Rojo de Mexico was his best. Either the pitching was poor or the baseballs were juiced because Estrada finished 18th in the league in batting that year. 

Manager of the Aguilas de Mexicali

Estrada played for the Pericos de Puebla, Charros de Jalisco, Diablos Rojos de Mexico, the Pericos again, Langostenos de Quintana Roo, Acereros del Norte Monclova, Leones de Yucatan, Algodoneros de Torreon, Vaqueros de Laguna, the Cafeteros de Cordoba and the Piratas de Campeche during his career.

He began his managerial career while still a player for the Vaqueros de Laguna taking over the reigns late in the 2005 season. Estrada became the player-manager for the Piratas de Campeche in 2007, his last year as a player. He managed the Piratas until part way through the 2010 season when he assumed the duties as field boss for the Vaqueros de Laguna.

Hector was the 3rd base coach for the Diablos Rojo de Mexico for the 2011 and 2012 seasons prior to being named as the manager of the Guerreros de Oaxaca in 2013. Estrada would manage the Guerreros until the end of the 2014 season. He became the manager of the Rojos del Aguilas in the fall of 2014. 

Manager of the Guerreros de Oaxaca

The Liga Mexicana del Pacifico offered Estrada extra managerial experience in the winter league. He was a coach for the Yaquis de Obregon in 2013 when they won the Serie de Caribe in front of the home crowd in Hermosillo.

Estrada managed the Aguilas de Mexicali for the 2014-2015 season where he led the team to a 37-31 record. The Aguilas were defeated by the eventual League Champion Tomateros de Culiacan in the semi-final round.

Juan "Chico" Rodriguez - Saraperos de Saltillo Manager 2015

Juan Francisco "Chico" Rodriguez played 2nd base in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol for 19 years. He compiled a .293 batting average in 1,924 games with 1,948 hits, 7 times hitting better than .300. Rodriguez drew 841 walks while striking out just 345 times. He also stole 196 bases.

During 15 years of play in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, Chico saw action in 885 games and delivered 837 hits. Rodriguez scored 420 runs, drove in 225 and stole 93 bases.

Rodriguez' managerial career began in 1997 with the Rieleros de Aguascaliente. He managed the Broncos de Reynosa, the Acereros de Norte Monclova, the Sultanes de Monterrey, the Rieleros de Aguascaliente, the Tuneros de San Luis Potosi and the Dorados de Chihuahua before being named manager of the Vaqueros de la Laguna in 2011. 

Rodriguez as Vaqueros Manager

The Saraperos named Rodriguez their field manager in 2013 and Chico led the team to a 63-50 record with a second place finish in the LMB Championship that year.

Saraperos Manager 2013-2015

Juan has also coached in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico for a number of years with several teams. In 2015 he will head the Caneros de los Mochis, the team he led to the LMP Championship in 2002-2003. For his efforts that year, Rodriguez was named as the Manager of the Year in the LMP.

In 2003, Rodriguez managed the Mexican National team to a Bronze Medal in the Pan American Games.

His outstanding career as a player and then manager for both the LMB and the LMP culminated in induction to the Salon de Fama in September of 2012.

Rod Tafoya The Ageless Arm

Rod Tafoya has a passion for life and an unending passion for baseball. All ballplayers that dream of becoming a major leaguer have a passion for the game. The passion that left handed pitcher Tafoya has kept him pitching, and searching for places to pitch for over 32 years. Rod turned 50 in 2014 and continues to pitch.

He credits his elder brother Jack, now 65, for all of his on-field successes."When I was two years old my brother Jack tied my right arm behind my back to make me a lefty when we played catch,” said Tafoya, a natural right-hander. 48 years later it is safe to say that Jack had a vision. "To this day Jack comes to my games and charts pitches for me. I would be lost without him.” 

Rod credits his mother for instilling in him the perseverance to continue with his dream no matter who or what got in his way.

More importantly, however, is Rod’s approach to the game and to life. "Any milestone, no matter its size, is achievable,” starts Tafoya. "All you have to do is believe in yourself, have faith, passion, and work ethic.Your love for what you do will take you where you need to go. The happiness it brings you will fulfill your life and make all your dreams come true."

There have been quite a few accomplishments along the journey for Tafoya. His baseball, and for that matter his business, resume is impressive. After completing college, and obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Newman University in 1985, Rod signed his first professional baseball contract with the Delfines de Puerto Vallarta. The Delfines were a Double A team in the Mexican winter leagues.

In 1987, while pitching for the Double A Tabasquena League's Comalcalco Cocaoteros, he was optioned to the Triple A Liga Mexicana de Beisbol's Rieleros de Aguascaliente in June.

Rod has an interesting story about his "optioning". It seems as the team bus was headed north and passed near to Aguascaliente, the bus stopped and the manager told Rod he had been traded and needed to get off the bus here. At 20 years old, on a deserted part of the highway leading into Aguascaliente, Rod dusted himself off and walked into the city, found his team and finished up the year.

By 1989, Rod had signed a contract to play for the Boise Hawks and then the Class A Erie Sailors. Rod was unable to advance and after some arm trouble was released. He did not quit though and at age 33 returned to the minor leagues with the Regina Cyclones of the Prairie League.

Tafoya continued play ball after his release from the Cyclones and his desire to play and to encourage people of all ages to pursue their dreams, led Rod Tafoya to write an autobiography in 2012 called "Ageless Arm...My Passion Lives in the Core". The book is about his love for the game of baseball and life itself.

Some of the interesting facts about Tafoya's baseball career that speak to his perseverance follow.

* He has thrown over 70,000 pitches in competition
* Pitched for 84 different teams from 1986-2014
* Averaged 15 wins for 20 straight years while losing just 3 games per year
* Has won 23 Championships - 14 State Championships, 8 National Titles and 1 Professional Championship
* Threw a no hitter at age 47 while striking out 14 batters
* At age 35 went 17-0 with a 1.17 ERA
* Has thrown 5 no hitters and 1 perfect game

In October of 2014, Rod Tafoya was inducted into the MSBL Hall of Fame.

Some may look at his 300+ wins and think that the competition he faced wasn't the best or that he never reached Triple A in the US Minor Leagues but Tafoya has pitched, and pitched well, for over 32 years and has no thoughts of retiring. There are not many players, let alone pitchers, who have pitched competitively past the age of 50 with the success that Rod has achieved.

Enrique Reyes - Guerreros de Oaxaca Manager 2015

Enrique Reyes has been involved in Mexican baseball for 32 years. His resume starts as a player with the Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo team of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol in 1983. From 1985-1989, the team became known as the Tecolotes Dos Laredos.

As the name implies, the team represented both Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Home games were split among the two cities and the National Anthems of both countries were played prior to the beginning of each game. The Tecolotes were the first, and only, baseball team to represent two nations.

Reyes played for the Tecolotes until 1989. He moved to the Tuneros de San Luis Potosi in 1990 and then to the Industriales de Monterrey. Enrique finished his playing days with the Rieleros de Aguascaliente in 1992.

A long and productive career as a manager in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol began for Reyes  when the Rieleros de Aguascaliente hired him to manage the club in 1998. He managed the Rieleros for two seasons before moving to the Pericos de Puebla in 2000 and then the Tecolotes Dos Laredos in 2001.  

Rieleros de Aguascaliente

The Langosteros de Cancun was Reyes' next stop in the league. He coached there for the 2002 season. As the manager for the Pericos de Puebla, Enrique was named the Manager of the Year in the LMB for 2004.

In 2006, Reyes won the LMB League Championship with the Tigres de Angelopolis.

While managing the Tigres de Quintana Roo in 2007, Reyes was picked to Manage the Mexican National team in the World Cup of Baseball. Reyes also managed the National Team in 2009.

From 2009, Reyes managed the Rojos del Aguila de Veracrus, the Olmecas de Tabasco, and the Sultanes de Monterrey.

Reyes managed the Mexican National Team to a Silver medal in the 2010 Central American and Caribbean games despite the fact that some of Mexico's finest players were involved in the LMB Championships that year.

LMB Manager of the Year 2012

Enrique was named Manager of the Year in the LMB in 2012 while managing the Rielros de Aguascaliente.

2014 found Reyes in Tabasco for a second go round. In late 2014 the Guerreros de Oaxaca named reyes as their manager for the 2015 season.  

Reyes has managed in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico since 2012.

Brian Broderick Debuts For Royals In Spring Training

Brian Broderick, Reliever of the Year in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, made his Major League debut on Thursday for the Kansas City Royals against the Texas Rangers. The Royals beat the Rangers 5-4.

Broderick, closer for the Charros de Jalisco, pitched the 6th and 7th innings allowing 3 hits and an unearned run in his two innings of work. Brian didn't give up any walks but neither did he record any strikeouts.

Here is the Royals Vs Rangers box score.

Lino Rivera - Vaqueros de Laguna Manager 2015

The manager of the Vaqueros de Laguna, Lino Rivera, born in Rio Piedras Puerto Rico, pitched for 8 years in the minor leagues.  As a right hander pitching for the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals from 1987-1994, he struck out 564 batters in 706 innings.

He also pitched for the Acereros del Norte de Monclova and the Tigres de Mexico in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol from 2001 through 2003.

Rivera with the Leones

Rivera's managing career began in 2004 with the Acereros de Monclova. He managed the team through 2005 before moving on to the Leones de Yucatan from 2005-2011. In 2006 Rivera won the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Championship with the Leones.

The Sultanes de Monterrey named Rivera their manager in 2012.

Managing the Sultanes

In the fall of 2013 the announcement was made by the Vaqueros de Laguna that Lino Rivera would be their manager for the 2014 season. Rivera led the team to a 58-54 record and a trip to the playoffs where the Vaqueros fell in 6 games to the eventual League Champion Diablos Rojos de Mexico.

Laguna Manager 2014-2015

The Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, the Mexican Winter league, offered opportunity for Rivera to add to his managing resume with field leader stops for the Algodoneros de Guasave, Tomateros de Culiacan and his present position with the Naranjeros de Hermosillo.

Felix Fermin - Delfines de Ciudad Carmen Manager 2015

Born in the Dominican Republic, Felix Fermin played in the major leagues from 1987-1996. In 10 years in the big league he played for the Pirates, Indians, Mariners and the Cubs. He compiled a .259 batting average with 718 hits, scoring 294 runs, hit 4 home runs and drove in 207.    

Fermin with the Indians

In 1989, while playing for the Cleveland Indians, Fermin tied a major league record with 4 sacrifice bunts in one game. He led the majors in sacrifice bunts that year with 32.

Felix coached the Aguilas Cibaenes in the Dominican Winter League from 2000-2009, winning 5 championships and reaching the finals 10 times.

The Aguilas retired his number 10 to put him alongside some notable player/managers such as Tony Pena, Julian Javier and Franklin Taveras.

Aguilas Manager Felix Fermin

From 2009-2010, Fermin managed the Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican League.

The Delfines de Ciudad del Carman named Fermin their manager in 2011 and he starts his 5th year with the club in 2015.

Cd del Carman Manager

Fermin had an opportunity to coach the Lara Cardinals of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League but preferred to stay in the Dominican Republic and signed to manage in the Winter League again in 2015, with the Toros del Este.   

Eagles Trade LeSean McCoy To Bills For Kiko Alonso

The Philadelphia Eagles, it seems, have traded a star running back, LeSean McCoy, to the Buffalo Bills for 3rd year linebacker Kiko Alonso.  

LeSean McCoy

Eagles coach, Chip Kelly, seems to want to rebuild the Eagles with Oregon Duck grads. Just this week we have heard that Kelly wants to trade up to take Ducks' QB Marcus Mariota in the 2015 draft.

First, let's see what McCoy has done for the Eagles. Drafted in the second round of the 2009 draft, McCoy was the 53rd person taken. In 6 years for the Eagles, LeSean has rushed 1,461 times for 6,792 yards and scored 44 touchdowns. He also caught 300 passes for 2.282 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Kiko Alonso had 159 tackles, 3rd in the league in his rookie season of 2013 but missed the entire 2014 season with a torn ACL. That's it. Those are his stats. His only qualification is that Kelly coached Alonso at Oregon. 

A healthy Kiko Alonso

A source told ESPN's Adam Caplan that Alonso's rehab has gone very well and he has increased his training activities and has started running.

Although the NFL is perceived as a passing league, tell that to the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks. Without a running game, the passing game suffers especially when you have the less experienced QBs such as Mark Sanchez and Nick Foles.

McCoy's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, took to Twitter to say that no deal has yet been finalized.

Meanwhile, Rex Ryan gets the "ground and pound" runner he needs to take the heat off of his quarterbacks, something he lacked while the coach of the NY Jets.

Derek Bryant - Sultanes de Monterrey Manager 2015

Derek Bryant played in the Oakland Athletics organization for several years before beginning is managerial career as a player/manager for the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol in 1988. 

Derek Bryant in his younger days

In 1993 he managed the Naranjeros de Hermosillo to a league championship in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico. He would return to the Naranjeros for another LMP Championship in 2000.

During his second stint with the Sultanes, Bryant won LMB Championships in 1995 and 1996.

After two years as manager of the High Desert Mavericks, a Class A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the California League, in 1999 and 2000, Bryant returned to the Sultanes for the 2001 and 2002 seasons.

2003 found Derek Bryant manager of the Acereros de Monclova before Bryant managed the Saraperos de Satillo from 2004 until 2007.

Derek Bryant was named to the Salon de la Fama del Beisbol Profesional de Mexico, better known as the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.  

Mexican Hall of Fame

The Vaqueros de Laguna named Bryant their field boss in 2011.

In November of 2014, Bryant was again named as the manager of the Sultanes de Monterrey.

Bryant named as manager of the Sultanes

Dan Firova - Piratas de Campeche Manager 2015

Dan Firova with the Indians

Dan Firova, born in Refugio Texas in 1956, played for the Seattle Mariners and the Cleveland Indians in his Major League career. Although his playing time was limited, Firova learned valuable lessons about handling a pitching staff.    

Starting his managerial career in Laredo Texas in 1993, Dan moved to the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol where he became the leader of the Tigres de Puebla and then the Tigres de Mexico where he won league titles in 1887, 2000 and 2001.

Firova has also coached the Sultanes de Satillo, the Tuneros de San Luis Potosi, the Dorados de Chihuahua, the Vaqueros de Laguna, the Olmecas de Tabasco and the Piratas de Campeche.

During the 2014 season with the Piratas, Firova became the winningest non Mexican manager in league history. Dan has an LMB record on 1013-866 during his lengthy career.

Managing the Piratas

In the off season, Firova has managed the Venados de Mazatlan, the Aguilas de Mexicali and most recently, the Mayos de Navojoa in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico. He has more than 100 victories in the LMP.

Homar Rojas - Acereros del Norte Monclova Manager 2015

Homar Rojas played professional baseball for 23 years including 4 years in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system. Rojas played for 6 different Liga Mexicana de Beisbol teams and 3 Liga Mexicana del Pacifico teams during which he compiled a .291 career batting average as a catcher.

In 1987 Rojas played for the Bakersfield Dodgers, a Single A minor league affiliate of the Dodgers in the California League. In 1988 he was moved to another Single A Dodgers team, the Vero Beach Dodgers.

Homar Rojas the Player

1989 saw Rojas start the year playing for the Triple A Dodger affiliate Albuquerque Dukes and finish up the season with the Double A team in San Antonio Texas.

Rojas began his managerial career with the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the LMB in 2005. During 2007-2008, he managed the Yaquis de Obregon, leading the Yaquis to their 1st league pennant in 27 years.

Homar managed the Broncos de Reynosa of the LMB from 2009-2012 and managed the Naranjeros de Hermosillo from 2009-2010.

Rojas With Hermosillo

In 2011, Rojas was named the manager of the Venados de Mazatlan of the LMP.

Rojas managed the Piratas de Campeche, of the LMB in 2013 and became the manager of the Acereros del Norte Monclava in 2014 where he led the team to a 60-51 record and into the LMB Playoffs.Monclova was swept in the 1st round of the playoffs by the Sultanes de Monterrey.

Acereros Manager Homar Rojas

Von Hayes - Pericos de Puebla Manager 2015

Von Hayes, Manager of the Pericos de Puebla team in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, began his career in the Major Leagues with the Cleveland Indians in April of 1981. He played his last game 11 years later for the Los Angeles Angels. In between Hayes spent 8 years with the Philadelphia Phillies.  

Von Hayes as a player

During his career, Hayes hit .267 with 36 triples,143 home runs, 696 RBIs and 253 stolen bases.

On June 11th, 1985, Hayes became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 2 home runs in the 1st inning of a game. He led off the inning with a solo shot and later in the inning hit a grand slam off of Calvin Schiraldi leading the Phillies to a 26-7 victory over the NY Mets.

Hayes began his coaching career with the South Bend Silverhawks in 2003. He was named the Manager of the Year in the California League with the Modesto Nuts in 2004. Leading the Midland Rockhounds in 2005, Hayes was again chosen as the Manager of the Year, this time in the Texas League.

Hayes named manager of Barnstormers

The Lancaster Barnstormers named Hayes as their Manager for 2008 where he stayed until taking the same position with the Camden Riversharks in 2010. Hayes remained in Camden until he signed on to manage the Alexandria Aces of the ULB in 2013.

The Pericos de Puebla have hires Hayes to manage their team in 2015 after the Pericos lost the Liga Mexicana Beisbol Championship to the Diablos Rojos del Mexico in 2014.

Hayes as a Perico

Miguel Ojeda - Diablos Rojos de Mexico Manager 2015

Miguel Ojeda, manager of the Diablos Rojos del Mexico, began his major league baseball career with the San Diego Padres in 2003. Following the 2005 season, Ojeda was traded to the Colorado Rockies lasting one year. He spent some of 2006 year with the Texas Rangers but was designated for assignment in May of that year. During his years in Major League Baseball, Ojeda hit .224 with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs.     

Ojeda in his Major League Playing Days

 

Ojeda played for the Venados de Mazatlan in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico. While playing for the Venados in 2005, Mazatlan won the LMP Championship and went on to win the Serie de Caribe. Ojeda represented Mexico in the 2009 World Baseball Classic

Ojeda during WBC 2009

Over his long career in the LMP, Ojeda hit .246 with 749 hits, 75 home runs and 347 RBIs. He retired from baseball in 2012. The Venados retired Ojeda's number 35 during this past season.

The Diablos Rojos de Mexico named Ojeda as their manager in 2013. In 2014 he led the Diablos to a 70-42 record and the Championship of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol with a four game sweep of the Pericos de Puebla in the final round.    

Coach Miguel Ojeda

Ojeda was hired as the manager of the Venados de Mazatlan in 2014 and led the team to the playoffs in his first year. His team was swept by the Charros de Jalisco in the first round of playoffs.

Jerry Royster - Tigres de Quintana Roo Manager 2015

As part of a series of posts about the 2015 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, I will take a look at the managers of the 16 teams. The first manager article is about Jerry Royster of the Tigres de Quintana Roo.

Jerry was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1970 and started his first major league game in August of 1973. He had a career that spanned 15 years in which he played for 5 different big league teams. Jerry compiled a .249 batting average while hitting 40 home, driving in 352 and stealing 189 bases. He ended his playing career with the Atlanta Braves in 1988.

Jerry as a player

 

His coaching career began in 1993 as a third base coach for the Colorado Rockies but lasted 1 year. Jerry was out of baseball until 2000 when, as a bench coach for Davey Lopes of the Milwaukee Brewers, he was named interim manager after Lopes got off to a disastrous start. Although the interim tag was removed 2 weeks later, Royster was fired at the end of the year following a 53-94 record.

Before being named manager of the Dodgers Triple A affiliate, the Las Vegas 51's, in 2005, Royster had been the Dodgers infield coordinator for the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

In 2007, Royster was signed as manager of the Lotte Giants of the South Korean Baseball League. He became the first non-Korean to manage in the league. He managed the Giants until 2010. 


Royster as Lotte Giants Manager

Royster was the third base coach for the Boston Red Sox in 2012.

The Tigres de Quintana Roo hired Royster as their manager in 2014 where he led the team to a 65-48 record and 1st place in the Sur Division of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol. The Tigres lost to the Pericos de Puebla in the semi-final round of the divisional playoffs.

Royster Named Tigres Manager

45 Things That Never Happened In MLB History Until 2014

An interesting article by Bruce Herman of Athlon Sports about 45 things that happened in the 2014 MLB season that never occurred in MLB history.

Find out who accomplished these feats:

Who hit a grand slam for two different teams in the month of April?
Who stole 3 bases in a game while his team was being no-hit?
What player hit a solo home run, 2 run home run, 3 run home run and a grand slam sequentially in successive games?

What pitcher struck out the side, on nine pitches, with the bases loaded?
Who struck out 40 batters between his 1st and 2nd walks?
Who beat one team 3 times in one year pitching for 3 different teams?

If you know the answers to these questions...you are absolutely amazing but there are even more amazing facts in Herman's article here.

22 Charros Players To Join Liga Mexicana de Beisbol

22 players from the 2014-2015 Charros de Jalisco are listed on rosters for teams in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol that begin play in April of 2015.

The LMB consists of 16 teams divided into two 8 team divisions. The Norte Division will have teams from Tijuana, Mexico City, Monclova, Monterrey, Saltillo, Reynosa, Laguna and Aguas Caliente.

The Sur Division will consist of the following teams: Quintana Roo, Puebla, Campeche, Cd. Carmen, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Yucatan and Tabasco.

Here is a list of the Charros and the LMB team they will play for. As with any Spring roster, it is not unusual for changes to occur. I will keep watching and update this list as necessary.

Diablos Rojos de Mexico
Jesus Lopez
Japhet Amador
Carlos Vasquez
Gabriel Gutierrez

Sultanes de Monterrey
Marco Tovar
Oscar Villarreal

Vaqueros de la Laguna
Ivan Zavala

Saraperos de Saltillo
Jesus Cota
Jose "Manny" Rodriguez

Toros de Tijuana
Mario Mendoza
CJ Retherford
Eduardo Arredondo

Rieleros de Aguas Caliente
Orlando Lara

Tigres de Quintana Roo
Adrian Ramirez

Pericos de Puebla
Hugo Castellanos

Piratas de Campeche
Ivan Salas

Rojos Aguila de Veracruz
Manuel Flores

Leones de Yucatan 
Juan Delgadillo
Mario Meza
Israel Nunez
Edson Garcia
Fernando Valenzuela

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Gold Glove Recipients Announced

The Liga Mexicana del Pacifico has announced the winners of the Gold Glove, by position, for the 2014-2015 season.

Fueron los mejores a la hora de estar a la defensiva, posición por posición y en base a las estadísticas oficiales. La Liga Mexicana del Pacífico da a conocer a los ganadores de los Guantes de Oro de su temporada BANORTE 2014-2015.

The Caneros de Los Mochis had 3 fielders win Gold Gloves followed by the Naranjeros de Hermosillo with 2 and the Charros de Jalisco, Yaquis de Cd Obregon, Tomateros de Culiacan and the Venados de mazatlan with 1 each.

The winners by position are: 1B - Jesus Castillo, Mazatlan .990   2B - Carlos Gastelum, Hermosillo .988   3B - Rodolfo Amador, Los Mochis .978   SS - Issmael Salas, Culiacan .986   OF - Jerry Owens, Hermosillo .994   OF - Justin Christian, Los Mochis .993   OF - Eduardo Arredondo, Jalisco .992   C - Said Gutierrez, Obregon .988   P - Jonathan Castellanos 1.000

Liga Mexicana Players Headed To Spring Training As Non Roster Invitees

The Liga Mexicana del Pacifico will send five players from the 2014-2015 to join MLB teams as non-roster players this spring training.

Xorge Carrillo, the 2013-2014 LMP Rookie of the Year, will report to the NY Mets training camp in Port St. Lucie Florida. Carrillo played for the Aguilas de Mexicali in 2014 where he hit .273 with 56 hits, 19 doubles, 9 home runs and 33 RBIs.

Walter Ibarra, also from the Aguilas de Mexicali, hit .291 with 68 hits, 9 doubles, 4 home runs and drove in 23. Ibarra will be in spring training with the Arizona Diamondbacks at their facility in Phoenix Arizona.

Rico Noel, who played for the League Champion Tomateros de Culiacan, is a non roster invitee of the San Diego Padres. Noel hit .233 on the year with 42 hits, 1 double, 1 home run and 16 RBIs.

Eric Farris, formerly a Tomatero, will attempt to make the Minnesota Twins team as a non roster invitee at their Ft. Myers Florida complex. Farris last season in the LMP,  hit .309 with 64 hits, 8 doubles, 3 home runs and 32 RBIs.

Brian Broderick, a member of the Charros de Jalisco and the 2013-2014 winner of the league's Isidro Marquez Trophy as Reliever of the Year, will join the World Series runner up Kansas City Royals in Arizona to try and crack the solid core of relief pitching that got the Royals to the World Series in 2014.

Broderick was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 21st round of the 2007 MLB Draft. He was picked up as a Rule #5 draftee by the Washington Nationals in 2011 but was returned to the Cardinals in 2012. Broderick was reacquired by the Nationals that same year and traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks before the start of the 2014 season. Brian signed with the Los Angeles Angels after the 2014 MLB season but was traded to the Kansas City Royals on the 19th of December of 2014.

Broderick's stats for the 2014-2015 LMP season were very impressive. He saved 16 games in 17 chances and had a won/loss record of 3-1. Broderick allowed just 2 walks in 26 innings pitched while striking out 23. His 0.68 ERA over that time was matched by his WHIP of 0.68. Opposing hitters managed to hit just .176 off of the masterful right hander.

WDBarrsports will keep an eye on these players during spring training. Most of the teams will start playing games on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd of March and we wish all of the players Good Luck in pursuing their dreams.

Charros Take 3 Awards For The 2014-2015 Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Season

The Charros de Jalisco were rewarded by the LMP for their outstanding 2014-2015 campaign that saw the team reach the Championship Series in their 1st year of competition in the league.

HECTOR ESPINOSO AWARD - Most Valuable Player  

Manny Rodriguez at the Plate

Juan Manuel "Manny" Rodriguez took home the Most Valuable Player Award for his outstanding, consistent and dominating performance during the year.

He finished the season with a .341 batting average (3rd), 93 hits in 67 games (1st), 23 doubles (2nd), 10 home runs (T3rd) and 48 RBIs (2nd). He led the league in Total Bases with 146 and had 33 Extra Base Hits. His .535 Slugging Percentage was also tops in the league.

Manny led all second basemen with a Fielding Percentage of .985, committing just 6 errors in 410 chances and started more double plays than any of second basemen in the league.

Japhet Amador, of the Charros, finished 2nd in the MVP balloting on the strength of his 13 home runs (T1st) and 51 RBIs (1st).

BENJAMIN REYES TROPHY - Manager of the Year

Juan Navarrate garnered 37 votes in the balloting for this award, more than twice that of his closest foe.
Navarrate piloted the Charros to a 42-26 record, finishing 2nd in the first half of the season and winning the second half to finish the year with the best record.

The Charros were the only team to finish with a winning record both home and away. Jalisco's longest losing streak was 3 games while they managed an 8 game winning streak during the season that was the longest of any team.

Navarrate was a coach for the Oakland Athletics from 1995 until 2005.

Coach Navarrate was inducted into the Mexican Baseball of Fame in 1998 after a career that saw him collect 2625 hits in 21 years of play. He played primarily at 2nd base but saw action at shortstop too.

ISIDRO MARQUEZ - Reliever of the Year

Brian Broderick was named as the inaugural Liga Mexicana del Pacifico's Reliever of the Year on his extremely efficient year in the closer role for the Charros.

Broderick had 16 saves in 17 opportunities with a 3-1 record. He issued just 2 walks in 26 innings pitched while striking out 23.

His 0.68 ERA led the league and his WHIP (Walks/Hits per Inning Pitched) was a miniscule 0.68. Additionally, he held opposing batters to a .176 batting average.

Serie de Caribe To Begin February 2nd

5 CHARROS CHOSEN TO JOIN TOMATEROS

The World Series of Caribbean Baseball is set to begin in San Juan, Puerto Rico on the 2nd of February. The Tomateros de Culiacan, by virtue of their championship season in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, will represent Mexico.

The other countries participating in the series are Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and The Dominican Republic. The rosters are expanded for the 5 teams and the Tomateros have chosen 5 Charros to help fill out their team. Manny Rodriguez, Marquez Smith, Terance Marin, Juan Delgadillo and Carlos Vasquez were selected to join the team in Puerto Rico.

The games begin on the 2nd of February and the finals are held on the 8th.

Mexico opens play against Cuba at 10:05 AM on the 2nd. They play again on the 3rd at 4:30 PM versus Puerto Rico. The team is off on the 4th but resumes play against the Dominican Republic at 4:30 PM on the 5th. The team's final game is with Venezuela at 10:05 AM on the 6th.

The 1st Semifinal game will be held at 10:05 AM on the 7th with the 2nd Semifinal game beginning at 4:30 PM.

The winners of those two games will meet in the Finals to be played at 2:30 PM on the 8th with the winner of that game crowned the Champions of the Caribbean.

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Tomateros Win LMP Championship 4 Games To 1

TOP CHARROS 4-3 IN GAME 5

With the exception of the first game, where the Tomateros de Culiacan used an offensive explosion, they used very good pitching to shut down the Charros' potent offense. Culiacan outscored the Charros in the series 28-17. It is often said that good pitching wins over good hitting in a seven game series. That adage holds true for this series.

Culiacan started the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd. Sergio Gastelum led off with a single to right, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ramiro Pena and scored when Rico Noel singled to center. Maxwell Leon followed with a single that moved Noel to third. Leon stole second and both runners scored when Eric Farris singled to right. The Tomateros led 3-0 after three innings.

Issmael Salas homered to left for the Tomateros in the bottom of the 4th to stretch the Culiacan lead to 4-0.

The Charros got on the board in the top of the 5th when Marquez Smith hit a solo home run to left to lead off the inning. The Culiacan lead was 4-1.

Jalisco scored again in the 6th. With one out, Eduardo Arredondo drew a base on balls and went to third on a single by Manny Rodriguez. Leo Heras grounded into a 4-6 fielder's choice to drive in Arredondo and narrow the Tomateros lead to 4-2.

CJ Retherford pinch hit for Amadeo Zazueta to lead off the 8th inning for the Charros and hit a long home run to deep center field to bring the Charros to within a run at 4-3.

Oscar Villarreal pitch a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the Tomateros to pick up the save and preserve the win for the Culiacan starter, Anthony Vasquez. Marco Tovar took the loss for the Charros.

The season was an exciting one for the fans of the Charros. They finished with the best record in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico and Manny Rodriguez stands a very good chance to be named the MVP of the league. Japhet Amador tied for the league lead in home runs and led the league in RBIs. Congratulations on a fine season! Todos Somos Charros!

The Tomateros de Culiacan move on now to the Caribbean Baseball World Series to be played in Puerto Rico.  Congratulations to the Tomateros and the fans of the Charros wish you well in the World Series.

Tomateros de Culiacan Defeat Charros 3-1

TAKE COMMANDING 3 GAMES TO 1 LEAD

The Tomateros de Culiacan hold a 3 games to 1 lead in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Championship Series with their 3-1 victory over the Charros on Sunday.

The Charros had multiple opportunities to score as they loaded the bases 3 separate times during the game but were unable to capitalize. As a team, the Charros were 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners.

The Charros loaded the bases, with one out, in the top of the 1st on singles by Manny Rodriguez, Leo Heras and Marquez Smith. Japhet Amador then lofted a fly ball to left for the second out and Rodriguez was thrown out at home trying to score.

Culiacan took advantage of the Charros failure to score in their half of the 1st. Rico Noel bunted for a hit and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Maxwell Leon. Noel stole third and scored when Eric
Farris launched a home run to left. Culiacan went up 2-0 after one inning.

The Tomateros added to their lead in the bottom of the 4th. Dave Sappelt drew a lead off walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Issmael Salas. Arturo Rodriguez grounded out to the pitcher as Sappelt took third. Sergio Gastelum walked and went to second on a wild pitch by Charros starter Orlando Lara. Ramiro Pena reached base safely on a fielding error by CJ Retherford as Sappelt scored. The lead was 3-0 Culiacan.

Jalisco mounted a threat in the top of the 9th. CJ Retherford walked with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. Sebastien Valle grounded out to second to advance Retherford to third. Pinch hitter Jesus Cota singled to drive in Retherford. The Charros loaded the bases with two outs but Leo Heras lined out to second to end the game and the Tomateros took the 3-1 win.

One game remains to be played in Culiacan. Should the Tomateros win, they become the League Champions. If the Charros win, the series returns to Guadalajara for game 6 and, if necessary, game 7.