Abel Leal

Abel Leal Díaz (El Tigre)

• Born March 28, 1940
• Died April 13, 2019 in Cartagena Colombia

Biographical Information

Abel Leal was a long-time member of the Colombian national team, playing in 14 major events (the Amateur World Series, Pan American Games and Central American and Caribbean Games). His brightest moment was in the 1970 Amateur World Series, when he led the event in average (.477, .005 ahead of Carlos Urriola) and hits (21) and tied Wilfredo Sánchez for the lead with 12 runs scored. Leal won MVP honors, the only Colombian ever to be MVP of an Amateur World Series or Baseball World Cup. Leal played for Colombia when they won Bronze at the 1971 Pan American Games, their only medal in baseball in the Pan American Games (through 2019) and Silver in the 1971 Amateur World Series. He played in the 1973 Bolivarian Games (Colombia won Gold), 1975 Intercontinental Cup, 1975 Pan American Games, 1979 Pan American Games , 1980 Amateur World Series and 1983 Pan American Games. Leal never played pro ball in the United States. He had 14 children.

Sources include 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games site, A History of Cuban Baseball by Peter Bjarkman

Further Reading

• Article on death