Karl Heron

Carlos San Jose Heron (Chico)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 168 lb.

• Born March 19, 1936 in Bocas del Toro Panama
• Died November 23, 2007 in Panama City Panama

Karl Heron played in the minor leagues from 1954-1962, spending all of one season and parts of two others in the Pacific Coast League. An infielder, Heron topped .300 4 times in the low minors. His best season was for the 1955 Amarillo Gold Sox, when he hit .317 with 20 home runs, 104 RBI and 141 runs, leading the West Texas-New Mexico League in the latter department.

Heron played for Panama in the 1959 Caribbean Series, hitting .304 with one homer; he was joined on the infield by Negro League star Frank Austin and major leaguer Pumpsie Green. Heron played in Panama's leagues from the 1950s to 1970s.

Heron was a manager for Panama in numerous events, leading them to a Bronze medal in the 1982 Central American and Caribbean Games, a Gold in the 2001 Bolivarian Games, a Bronze in the 2002 Intercontinental Cup (later taken away when Roberto Kelly, Earl Agnoly, Jorge Cortez and Roberto Gutierrez tested positive for banned substances), a Silver in the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games and a Bronze in the 2005 Baseball World Cup. He also was Panama's skipper in the 1983 Pan American Games, 1999 Pan American Games and 2001 Baseball World Cup.

He was also a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees, helping to sign Mariano Rivera, Ramiro Mendoza and Manny Acosta. Rivera came to Panama for Heron's funeral.