CARACAS – Venezuelan slugger Luis Jiménez (40) has announced his retirement. During his career in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional he played 19 seasons, 14 of these with the Cardenales de Lara. The other jerseys worn by the so-called “Rey de Bobare” were those of the Caribes de Anzoátegui and Bravos de Margarita. He has become one of the most feared hitters by pitchers, just look at the numbers he left behind as a pro.
Jiménez played 709 matches in the LVBP where he scored 645 hits, 106 doubles, 6 triples, 101 home runs, 402 teammates scored, 360 points scored, with a batting average of 286. The “Rey de Bobare” is one of the four players who managed to overcome the wall of 100 home runs in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional. Jiménez ended his career as a player with 101 HR, ahead of him are champions such as Robert Pérez (125), Alex Cabrera (135) and Eliezer Alfonzo (138).
The now former “pelotero” had expressed his intention to retire in April, when he played the role of instructor in the Liga Mayor de Béisbol Profesional. But the confirmation came a few hours ago when he announced to the media that “he will no longer be in active baseball”, but he did not hide the desire to work as a coach or as a television commentator.
(by Fioravante De Simone / Caracas editorial staff)
