Nico Genesta

Nicolás Genesta listed also as Genestas

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 5' 9", Weight 174 lb.

• Born February 22, 1933 in Empalme, Sonora Mexico

BR register page

Biographical Information

Nico Genesta starred for the Mexican national team then pitched in the minors.

He was with Mexico for the 1950 Central American and Caribbean Games. He was 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA for Mexico in the 1950 Amateur World Series when the rest of his team was 2-5. He struck out 19 one game. He tied the record for most wins in an Amateur World Series, held by Daniel Canónico, Ramón del Monte and Luis Zuloaga. He won Bronze with Mexico in the 1951 Pan American Games.

Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, the southpaw had a 1-5, 3.97 record in his pro debut with the 1951 Eugene Larks, also hitting .300. He improved big-time in 1952, going 14-3 with a 1.58 ERA in 46 games for the Billings Mustangs. He was second among Pirates farmhands with 100+ IP in ERA, behind Ron Necciai. He tied for 7th in the Pioneer League in wins, won the ERA title (.36 ahead of Hub Kittle) and led with 46 appearances (one ahead of Frank Cirimeli). He made his Mexican Pacific League debut with the Mayos de Navojoa.

In 1953, he was 7-6 with a 3.38 ERA for the Waco Pirates/Longview Pirates. He split 1954 between the Williamsport Grays (1-2, 3.05 in 31 G) and Billings (6-2, 3.60 in 21 G). He led the Pirates farm system in appearances, five ahead of Junior Walsh. Despite a solid debut in class A at age 21, he did not pitch in the Bucco chain again.

Returning to his native Mexico, he was 2-4 with a 4.87 ERA for the Mexico City Tigers in 1955 as they won the Mexican League title. He was 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA the next year. He also spent part of the year with the Rieleros de Aguascalientes, going 4-3 with a 6.78 ERA. He was 0-2 for them in 1957 to end his pro career at 38-27 in 199 games.