SALON MEMBER “ZACATILLO” GUERRERO DIES AT AGE 83

Salon de la Fama member Jose “Zacatillo” Guerrero has passed away in Torreon at the age of 83.

Guerrero was a Mexican League star infielder following his debut with Union Laguna in 1949, when he hit .273 in 78 games. After five years in Torreon, he spent three seasons in the United States before returning to Mexico with Monterrey in 1957. Guerrero also played for Puebla and Veracruz before retiring in 1967 although he occasionally took to the field while managing the Mexico City Diablos and Union Laguna. As a player, he batted .301 over 1330 Liga games. Guerrero played winter ball in Puebla, Mazatlan, Los Mochis and Empalme.

The Torreon native also had a long career as a manager between 1970 and 1992, piloting Mexico City, Union Laguna, Juarez, Monterrey and Dos Laredos. He won Mexican League pennants managing Juarez in 1982 and in 1989 with Dos Laredos.

Guerrero, who was considered a class act and exemplary sportsman on and off the field, was enshrined in the Salon in 1989, and his number 49 was retired by Laguna in 2007.