Olmecas de Tabasco

Olmecas de Tabasco
League	Mexican League (South Zone)
Location	Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
Ballpark	Estadio Centenario 27 de Febrero
League championships	1993
Colors	Green, white
Manager	Enrique Reyes

The Olmecas de Tabasco (English: Tabasco Olmecs) are a AAA-level baseball team based in Tabasco playing in the Mexican League. Their homefield is the Estadio Centenario 27 de Febrero in Villahermosa.

History

One of the best known teams in southeastern Mexico, the Olmecas de Tabasco have won one championship, in 1993, and have ten appearances in the Mexican League playoffs.

Their most recent playoff appearance was in 2012 when they lost to the Veracruz Rojos del Aguila, 4-1.

The Olmecas began playing in the Mexican League in 1975 and have had many nicknames, they've been the Cardinales de Tabasco (1975), the Plataneros de Tabasco (1977–85), and the Ganaderos de Tabasco (1985–89). They became the Olmecas in 1990. In 1998, they played as the Ganaderos for two seasons before returning to the Olmecas name for the 2000 season. They have played in Estadio Centenario 27 de Febrero in Villahermosa for their entire history.

The Olmecas won their only championship in 1993 under manager Juan Navarrete. The Olmecas have long been known for their pitching, especially Emigdio Lopez, Tabasco Cecilio Ruiz, Juan Jesus Alvarez, Jesus "Chito" Rios, Ricardo Osuna and Gaudencio Aguirre. Other well known players who have played for the Olmecas include catcher Elisha Garzón, first baseman Jay Gainer, second baseman Joel Serna, third baseman Manuel Ramirez and shortstop Heber Gomez. Rusty Tillman, Oscar Zambrano Fentanes and Rosario, Arturo Bernal and Tabasco Carlos Sievers have all been stars in the outfield in Villahermosa.

The 1975 Cardinales

The first team representing Villahermosa in the Mexican League where nicknamed the Cardinales. Plagued with economic problems, they sat out the 1976 season before returning to the league in 1977.

The 1979 Plataneros

When the club returned for 1977, they were renamed the Plataneros, the Banana Planters, a name they knept until 1985. The Plataneros found their first success in 1979, when they qualified for the playoffs under manager Raul Cano. The team included Arturo Bernal, Rommel Canada, Joel Orquendo, and Nike Nagy.

As the 1980s began, the Plataneros signed stars Luis Tiant and Jesus Sommers but did not find scucess on the field. In 1984, Julian Manzur, the club presented, decided to sell the team.

Ganaderos

Humberto Tapia purchased the club after the 1984 season and changed their name to the Ganaderos for 1985. In 1987, they signed Steve Howe, who was attempting a return to the major leagues after a drug suspension. He had great success and was signed by the Texas Rangers after 13 games.

Mike Cole stole 100 bases in the 1989 season and there was hope of a playoff appearance but a poor road trip against Campeche and Yucatán to end the season extinguished the hopes of Ganaderos fans.

The Olmecas

Everything changed for the better in 1993. Juan Navarrete took over as manager and the club signed many foreign players including Rafael de Lima, Alexis Infante, Rusty Tillman and Todd Brown. The Olmecas ended a 14-year playoff drought and won the Mexican League title. Don Diego Rosillo was named Executive of the Year and Ricardo Osuna won Pitcher of the Year.

Since 1993, the Olmecas have made several playoff appearances but have yet to repeat their championship run from 1993.

Champion Team Line Up 1993:

1. - Rafael de Lima CF 2. - Alexis Infante SS 3. - Leo Valenzuela RF 4. - Todd Brown DH 5. - Horacio "Pachyderm" Valenzuela 1B 6. - Rusty Tillman LF 7. - Julian "Chino" Wong 2B 8. - Elisha Garzon C 9. - Herminio Saiz 3B

Pitchers:

Cecilio Ruiz, Emigdio Lopez, Ricardo Osuna, Ramon Serna, Salvador Colorado.

Manager:

Juan Navarrete.

Roster

External links

• Official site (in Spanish)