Humberto Valenzuela

Humberto Valenzuela Ramirez

• Bats Left, Throws Left

• Born December 23, 1952 in Ahome, Sinaloa Mexico

Biographical Information

Humberto Valenzuela spent 11 seasons pitching in the minors, winning an ERA title along the way. His brother Guillermo Valenzuela would pitch 8 seasons in the Mexican League, same as Humberto.

Humberto debuted in 1970, splitting time between the Puerto Mexico Charros (4-3, 2.68) and San Luis Potosi Charros (1-1, 5.11). In 1971, he allowed six runs in two innings in his only outing for the Bravos de León, taking the loss (to no surprise). The next year, the 19-year-old improved to 11-3, 3.18 for the Ebano Rojos. He led the Mexican Center League in ERA by .03 over Jorge Jaime, led with 11 complete games and was second in wins, one behind Gustavo Mackliz. He joined Mackliz as the All-Star pitchers.

In 1973, the Ahome native again starred for Ebano (9-5, 2.52, 139 K in 114 IP). He tied Rodolfo Vallejano for the strikeout lead and also tied for the most shutouts (3). He was two wins shy of co-leaders Vallejano and Alfonso Bourguette. He also saw his first action in the Mexican League itself, going 1-1 with a 1.42 ERA in four outings for the Diablos Rojos del Mexico. He would spend the remainder of his career in the LMB.

Valenzuela fell to 0-4, 5.13 with a 2.01 WHIP with the '74 Diablos Rojos and was 0-2 with a 3.29 ERA in 1975. In 1976, the southpaw pitched for the Diablos Rojos and the Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo, with a combined record of 1-3, 4.94. In 1977, the veteran was 3-6 with a 4.85 ERA for the Dorados de Chihuahua. He had a 3.27 ERA in eight outings for the 1979 Leones de Yucatan. Out of the league from 1980-1982, he returned in 1983 to go 9-7 with a 2.75 ERA for the Leones. Only Diego Segui and Guadalupe Salinas had better ERAs among Yucatan's starters. In his final season, 1984, the 31-year-old was 1-2 with a 10.92 ERA for the Alijadores de Tampico, with a 2.33 WHIP.

Overall, Valenzuela was 15-25 with a 4.33 ERA in 116 Mexican League games. He allowed 459 hits and 178 walks in 405 2/3 innings while striking out 164.

Sources

• 1971-1985 Baseball Guides
• The Mexican League: Comprehensive Player Statistics by Pedro Treto Cisneros