Azules de Veracruz

• English Name: Veracruz Blues
• Location: Veracruz, Veracruz
• League: Mexican League 1940-1951
• Affiliation: none
• Ballpark:

Team History

The Azules de Veracruz were a Mexican League powerhouse in the 1940s, but ceased operations definitely in 1954. Bankrolled by millionaire owner Jorge Pasquel, the team went out and signed many stand-out American and Cuban players, raiding both the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball. They won Mexican League pennants in 1940, 1941, 1944 and 1951, winning more in 15 years than many teams have won in decades in the Liga.

The 1940 and 1941 teams were especially powerful, featuring Willie Wells, Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, Ray Dandridge, Martin Dihigo, Leon Day, Ramon Bragana, Angel Castro, Double Duty Radcliffe and more. They could very probably have competed with the top MLB teams of the era.

However, the Azules were eventually eclipsed in its own city by the Rojos del Águila de Veracruz who have been fixtures in the Mexican League - with a few brief interruptions - since 1949.

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1940	61-30	1st	Martin Dihigo	none League Champs
1941	67-35	1st	Lazaro Salazar	none League Champs
1942	39-46	6th	Agustin Bejerano	none
1943	39-51	5th	Gustavo Buenrostro / Horacio Hernandez	none
1944	52-37	1st	Rogers Hornsby / Ramon Bragana	none League Champs
1945	42-48	5th	Ramon Bragana	none
1946	41-57	7th	Ramon Bragana / Mickey Owen / Chile Gomez / Jorge Pasquel	none
1947	52-67	6th	Chile Gomez / Red Steiner	none
1948	43-43	5th	Dolf Luque	none
1949	42-42	4th	Salvador Hernandez
1950	34-50	7th	Ramon Bragana
1951	49-35	1st	Angel Castro	League Champs