Monterrey (Mexico), Nov 7 (EFE).- The Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame received this Thursday its seven new members of the 2024 generation, among which former pitchers Yovani Gallardo and Juan Manuel Palafox stood out.
The other five who recorded their names in the hall of immortals were former pitchers Ramón Orantes, Cecilio Ruiz, Ricardo Sandante, in the veteran category, former second baseman Miguel Flores, and umpire Luis Alberto Ramírez.
Yovani Gallardo received this appointment thanks to his brilliant career in Major League Baseball (MLB) in which he stood out with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Texas Rangers, the Baltimore Orioles, the Seattle Mariners and the Cincinnati Reds.
Gallardo remained in the Majors for 12 seasons, participating in 319 games with a record of 121 wins and 101 losses, between 2007 and 2018.
“It is an honor to be part of this recognition. I’m still a little surprised to be with names like Fernando Valenzuela and Vinicio Castilla, it’s definitely something very special,” said Gallardo.
Juan Manuel Palafox, one of the best pitchers in the history of the local league, belongs to the select group of 14 pitchers who achieved more than 200 victories, he had 217, throughout his 26-year career. He played for the Tigres Capitalinos, Unión Laguna, Jalisco, Monclova, Yucatán, Saltillo and Vaqueros Laguna.
“I thank God for the opportunity to be enjoying this moment in life because in 2016 I had a very serious problem; I was hopeless from life. Thank God I am a survivor,” added Palafox, who overcame a tough battle against bowel cancer.
Horacio de la Vega, executive president of the Mexican Baseball League, was also present at the ceremony held in the immortals grounds located inside the Fundidora Park in Monterrey, Nuevo León, in northern Mexico; and Francisco Padilla, president of the Hall of Fame.
One of the most emotional moments of the ceremony was the tribute paid to Fernando Valenzuela, legend of the Dodgers, winner of the World Series and Cy Young in 1981, who died on October 22.
The number 34 that the ‘Toro de Etchohuaquila’ wore on his shirt is retired in both the Dodgers and the Mexican Baseball League.
