Tommy Herrera

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TomasHerrera.jpg

Tomas Herrera (Olachea) Jr.

BR Minors page

Biographical Information[edit]

Tommy Herrera had a long career as a professional baseball player and manager.

Herrera played in the minor leagues for ten seasons, never reaching the major leagues - though he did spend parts of four seasons at the Open designation, which was created to help build the Pacific Coast League into a major league, and in the Mexican League, the highest-level professional league in Mexico.

Tommy debuted in 1953, appearing for the Temple Eagles, San Diego Padres (4.37, 15 BB in 22 2/3 IP) and two Longhorn League clubs (a combined 3-10, 5.03, 95 BB in 118 IP). In '54, he was with the Padres (1-4, 5.44) and Salem Senators (8-4, 2.73). He spent all of 1955 with San Diego and showed good progress, going 5-8 with a 3.60 ERA and walking 39 in 122 1/3 innings. He had a lower ERA than teammates Charlie Bishop, Al Lyons and Steve Ridzik, all of whom would spend part of their careers in the majors. The right-hander split 1956 between San Diego (6-6, 5.00) and the Reading Indians (4-3, 2.32). It was his final season playing in the USA.

Tomas went across the border from his hometown in 1957 with the Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo and had a 9-8, 3.41 record. He was 7-8 with a 4.29 ERA in 1958, split between Nuevo Laredo and the Mexico City Tigers. He played for both the Tigers and Mexico City Red Devils in 1959, with a 12-7, 3.80 record, his career high for wins. In 1960, the veteran hurler fell to 7-12, 5.16 for the Diablos Rojos. He turned in a 9-8, 4.50 record for the club in '61 and wrapped up his career by going 5-1, 2.79 in 1962. Overall, he had a 49-44, 4.14 record in 167 Mexican League games (91 starts, 40 of those complete).

From 1963 to 1969, Herrera managed the Mexico City Reds, leading them to first place finishes and de facto league championships in 1964 and 1968. No one had a longer run as the manager of the Red Devils before him; Benjamin Reyes would later surpass his record for the longest run as head of Mexico's most prominent club. He managed the Saraperos de Saltillo from 1970 to 1972, the Pericos de Puebla in 1973 and the Mineros de Coahuila in 1974 and 1975.

He served in the United States Army from 1948 to 1952.

His birth year has also been listed as 1932.[1]

Year-By-Year Managerial Record[edit]

Year Team League Record Finish Playoffs Notes
1962-1963 Mayos de Navojoa Mexican Pacific League 26-34
1963 Diablos Rojos del México Mexican League 71-61 2nd none
1963-1964 Mayos de Navojoa Mexican Pacific League 41-39
1964 Diablos Rojos del México Mexican League 82-58 1st none League Champs
1964-1965 Mayos de Navojoa Mexican Pacific League 34-46
1965 Diablos Rojos del México Mexican League 66-74 5th none
1965-1966 Mayos de Navojoa Mexican Pacific League 46-37
1966 Diablos Rojos del México Mexican League 74-66 3rd Lost League Finals
1967 Diablos Rojos del México Mexican League 76-63 3rd none
1967-1968 Yaquis de Obregón Mexican Pacific League 33-59
1968 Diablos Rojos del México Mexican League 82-58 1st none League Champs
1969 Diablos Rojos del México Mexican League 74-80 5th none
1970 Saraperos de Saltillo Mexican League -- -- Replaced by Andres Tanaka
1971 Saraperos de Saltillo Mexican League -- -- Replaced by Andres Tanaka
1972 Saraperos de Saltillo Mexican League 89-51 1st Lost League Finals
1973 Pericos de Puebla Mexican League -- -- Replaced by Jorge Calvo
1974 Mineros de Coahuila Mexican League 59-77 14th
1975 Mineros de Coahuila Mexican League 57-77 13th
2004 Toros de Tijuana Mexican League 8th Lost in 2nd round Replaced Alex Ortiz

Sources include The Mexican League: Comprehensive Player Statistics by Pedro Treto Cisneros