Monday, May 31, 2010

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: VERACRUZ FIRES MANAGER MESA

While there have been no managerial changes in the major leagues this season (yet), the carousel has been getting a good workout south of the border. The latest firing occurred last Thursday when the Veracruz Rojos del Aguila cut skipper Victor Mesa loose and replaced him with Bernardo “Bernie” Tatis.

Hopes were high for the 2010 season in Veracruz under Mesa, a flamboyant star in Cuban baseball during his playing days who led all batters in the 1992 Olympics with a .516 average and winning a gold medal in the process. However, Mesa’s past success as a player did not translate to wins for the Red Eagles, who finished 14 games behind Puebla in the Zona Hidalgo first-half standings with a 24-29 record. Veracruz was off to a 3-6 start to the second half when the tap on the shoulder came.

Tatis was a renowned speedster during his playing career, stealing over 800 bases in summer ball between 1981 and 1999. He played seven years in the Liga, batting .298 with 221 steals over 718 games (mostly for the Mexico City Diablos Rojos). Veracruz marks Tatis’ ninth Liga managerial stop.
Six Mexican League managers have now been fired since the season opened March 16.

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