Jorge Fitch

Jorge Fitch

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 165 lb.

• Born March 30, 1934 in Navolato, Sinaloa Mexico
• Died April 15, 2021 in Rosarito, Baja California Mexico

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Jorge Fitch was a top defensive shortstop in the Mexican League, leading six teams in fielding percentage.

Fitch debuted in 1956, hitting .203/.309/.310 for the Central Mexican League's Mineros de Fresnillo. His 18 steals tied Gregorio Acea for 2nd in the loop. He moved up to the Mexican League in '57, batting .191/.329/.246 for the Tigres de México. The next year, he produced at a .248/.299/.358 clip with career highs of ten homers and twenty-five swipes (fourth in the circuit). In 1959, he hit .267/.318/.343.

He then moved to the Pericos de Puebla, where he would spend the next eight seasons. He picked up the offense - .312/.373/.392. His .956 fielding led the LMB's regular shortstops. In 1961, he kept it steady at .313/.356/.386, just missing the top-ten in average while leading starting shortstops in fielding at .960. During '62, he slipped to .283/.317/.358 with 76 runs and 9 triples (7th in the LMB). He led the league's shortstops in putouts (244), assists (454) and double plays (100, 32 ahead of #2 Arnoldo Castro) while his .957 fielding was second to Leo Rodríguez.

The Sinaloa native set a career high in average in 1963 (.316/.370/.412) and also setting a high in doubles (25). He led shortstops in fielding percentage (.955), assists (466) and double plays (91). He fell to .282/.356/.351 in 1964 but with a career-high 98 runs and 68 walks. He led shortstops in fielding (.964), assists (284, 62 ahead of the runner-up) and double plays (119). The next year, he batted .273/.327/.351 with 79 runs and led shortstops with 265 putouts, 119 double plays and a .979 fielding percentage.

(in progress)

Elected into the Salon de la Fama in 2001.