Ernie Camacho

Ernest Carlos Camacho

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.
• School Hartnell College
• High School Alisal High School
• Debut May 22, 1980
• Final Game October 3, 1990
• Born February 1, 1955 in Salinas, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Ernie Camacho spent parts of ten seasons in the majors. He is best remembered for his time as Cleveland Indians closer.

Camacho was born and raised in Salinas, California, and went on to attend Hartnell College there. After being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels without signing, he was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 1976 amateur draft. He made his pro debut that summer with the Modesto A's, going 3-4 with a 5.63 ERA in 10 games. He eventually reached the majors with the A's in 1980, posting a 6.94 ERA in 5 big league outings. Prior to the 1981 season, Camacho was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Bob Owchinko. He spent much of the year in the minors but appeared in 7 games for Pittsburgh, including his only 3 big league starts. In spring 1982, he was dealt to the Chicago White Sox, and he played one summer in their organization before signing with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Midway through 1983, he was traded again, this time to the Cleveland Indians, and he returned to the bigs for 4 games with the Tribe. He emerged as Cleveland's closer in 1984, recording 23 saves while posting a 2.43 ERA in 69 games. He took the loss for the Indians on Opening Day 1985 but only made one more appearance that year before being sidelined by injuries and a pair of surgeries. He bounced back nicely in 1986, saving 20 games to go along with a 4.08 ERA. Camacho struggled in 1987, posting a 9.22 ERA in 15 games for the Indians, losing the closer's job, and was sent back to the minors for much of the summer. He was signed by the Houston Astros in 1988 but went 0-3 with a 7.64 ERA in 13 outings. He signed with the San Francisco Giants in 1989, pitching primarily for the AAA Phoenix Firebirds while going 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA and 13 saves, and also recorded a respectable 2.76 ERA in 13 big league appearances. He got into 8 games for the Giants in 1990 before being released and catching on with the St. Louis Cardinals, for whom he played his final 6 major league games.

After baseball, Camacho founded The Ernie Camacho Educational Foundation to support educational awareness and sports participation among underprivileged youth in Salinas.

Further Reading

• Steve Kresal: "Indians’ Bullpen Has Its Own Macho Man : Ernie Camacho Returns From Surgery to Become Cleveland’s Short Stopper", The Los Angeles Times, June 29, 1986. [1]

Related Sites

• Ernie Camacho Educational Foundation