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Jorge Fitch

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Jorge Fitch
Shortstop / Manager
Born: (1934-03-30)30 March 1934
Navolato, Sinaloa, Mexico
Died: 15 April 2021(2021-04-15) (aged 87)[1]
Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Career statistics
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Member of the Mexican Professional
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction2001

Jorge Fitch Díaz (30 March 1934 – 15 April 2021) was a Mexican professional baseball player and manager. As a shortstop, he played for the Tigres del México, Pericos de Puebla, Broncos/Bravos de Reynosa, and Alijadores de Tampico of the Mexican League. Fitch accumulated 1,676 hits in 1,670 games for a .272 lifetime batting average. During the winter, he played 10 seasons with the Naranjeros de Hermosillo, Mayos de Navojoa and Yaquis de Obregón of the Mexican Pacific League.

Early life

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Fitch was born on 30 March 1934 in Navolato, Sinaloa, but was raised in Tijuana, Baja California.[2][3] As a teenager, he showed considerable aptitude for baseball, basketball, and football, standing out as goalkeeper. He ultimately decided to focus on baseball. His admiration for New York Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto influenced his decision to play in that same position.[3][4]

Playing career

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Mexican Central League

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Fitch made his professional debut in 1956 with the Mineros de Fresnillo of the Mexican Central League.[3]

Mexican League

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In 1957, Fitch was signed by the Tigres de México, making his debut in the Mexican League. In 1960, he was transferred to the Pericos de Puebla, with whom he won the Mexican League championship in 1963. That season was also the best of his career statistically, as he batted .316 with 167 hits, 25 doubles, and a .412 slugging percentage.[3]

In 1969, he joined the Broncos de Reynosa, and in 1971, he was transferred to the Alijadores de Tampico. He returned to Reynosa for the 1974 and 1975 seasons.

Mexican Pacific League

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Fitch played nine season in the Mexican Pacific League (LMP), Mexico's winter league. He debuted during the 1960–61 season with the Naranjeros de Hermosillo. In 1965, he was transferred to the Yaquis de Obregón where he help winning the LMP championship and was awarded as the Most Valuable Player that season.[4][5] He played the 1970–71 season with the Mayos de Navojoa and retired following the season.[6]

Managerial career

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He started his managerial career in 1972 with the Broncos de Reynosa and would later manage the Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo, Pericos de Puebla and Alacranes de Durango. He posted an 829–421 managing record in eight seasons, appearing in five playoff series, while winning two championships with Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo in 1977 and with Angeles Negros de Puebla in 1979.[7]

Managerial achievements

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League Club Country Year
Mexican League Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo Mexico 1976–1977
Mexican League Angeles Negros Mexico 1978–1979

Legacy and death

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Fitch was enshrined into the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2001 alongside pitcher Charrascas Ramírez, catcher Rodolfo Sandoval, and infielder Jack Pierce.[4]

Fitch died on 15 April 2021, aged 87, in Rosarito, Baja California.[3] On 30 June 2021, the Pericos de Puebla retired Fitch's number 1.[8]

References

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  1. ↑ "Fallece el histórico pelotero de Navolato, Jorge Fitch, uno de los mejores SS del beisbol mexicano". Noroeste (in Spanish). noroeste.com.mx. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  2. ↑ "Un 30 de marzo pero de 1934 nace Jorge Fitch". salondelafamadelbeisbolmexicano.com (in Spanish). 30 March 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Ramírez Quezada, Leopoldo (16 April 2021). "LMB: Jorge Fitch, el hombre que le declaró su amor beisbolero a Puebla". MiLB.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Castaños, Fausto (16 April 2021). "Jorge Fitch, leyenda del beisbol mexicano". Debate (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Jorge Fitch Díaz". Cuarto Bat (in Spanish). 23 December 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  6. ↑ Gastélum Duarte, Guillermo. Enciclopedia Conmemorativa del 75 Aniversario de la Liga Mexicana del Pacífico (PDF) (in Spanish). Culiacán, Sinaloa: Moby Dick Editorial. p. 340. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "Jorge Fitch page at Salón de la Fama". www.salondelafama.com.mx (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "En homenaje a Jorge Fitch, Pericos retira el número uno". El Sol de Puebla (in Spanish). 30 June 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
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