SALON DE LA FAMA INDUCTS FOUR NEW MEMBERS

The Salon de la Fama in Monterrey was the scene of an induction ceremony July 2 as four new members were brought into the fold: Pitchers Mercedes Esquer and Teodoro “Teddy” Higuera, outfielder Jimmie Collins and executive Dr. Arturo Leon Lerma (pictured, L to R) were honored at the Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma brewery grounds, home of the Salon.

Esquer is one of the best left-handed pitchers in Mexican baseball history. He spent 24 seasons in the Liga, mainly with Monterrey and Yucatan, winning over 200 games. Esquer also topped 100 career wins in the Mexican Pacific League.

Higuera had a 94-64 record in nine major league seasons with a 3.66 ERA, becoming the first Mexican-born 20-game winner in American League history with a 20-11 mark for Milwaukee in 1986 (appearing in the All-Star Game that year). Higuera also spent six seasons in the Mexican League, mostly with the Juarez Indios.

A Southern University product, Collins spent seven seasons in the Atlanta Braves system before playing in Mexico between 1978 and 1987, batting .354 for his LMB career (third on the all-time list) and topping .400 twice.

Leon Lerma has spent more than 40 years in the front offices of Mexican baseball teams and leagues. President of the Mexican Pacific League for 15 years, he is currently the Executive Chairman of the LMP’s Hermosillo Naranjeros.