Pedro Orta Explained

Pedro Orta
Position:Infielder / Outfielder
Birth Date:31 January 1914
Birth Place:Pinar del Río, Cuba
Death Place:Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico
Bats:Right
Throws:Right

Pedro Clodomiro "Charolito" Orta (31 January 1914 – 12 August 2001) was a Cuban professional baseball infielder and outfielder. He played four seasons in the Cuban League, from 1943 to 1947, before moving to the Mexican League, where he spent eight seasons until 1954.

Career

Orta was born in Pinar del Río, Cuba on 31 January 1914. He was part of the Cuban team that won the 1940 Amateur World Series and made his professional debut in the Cuban League with the Tigres de Marianao during the 1943–44 season. He played three more seasons with Marianao.[1]

In 1946, Orta moved to Mexico to play with the Alijadores de Tampico of the Mexican League. In 1949 he played for the Diablos Rojos del México and Unión Laguna de Torreón.[2] In 1950, he was part of the Torreón team that won the Mexican League championship and he also led the league in stolen bases with 34.[3] In 1954, Orta transferred to the Leones de Yucatán and retired after the end of the season.[4]

He finished his Mexican League career with 500 games played, a .301 batting average, 76 doubles, 37 triples and 137 stolen bases.[4] He also played winter baseball in Mexico with the Venados de Mazatlán and Mayos de Navojoa.[5] [6]

Orta died on 12 August 2001 in Torreón, Coahuila.[4] A sports complex in Torreón, Unidad Deportiva Aeropuerto Pedro “Charolito” Orta, was named in his honor.[7]

Personal life

His son Jorge played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1972 to 1987 with the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Kansas City Royals, winning the 1985 World Series with the Royals.[8]

Career statistics

Cuban League

SeasonTeamGABRH2BHRRBISBBA
17 1 4 0 0 0 2 0 .235
Marianao 20 3 7 1 1 0 3 0 .350
Marianao 74 8 23 1 1 1 9 2 .311
Marianao 31 3 6 0 0 0 1 0 .194
Total (4 seasons) 142 15 40 2 2 1 15 2 .282
Source:[1]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Figueredo, Jorge S.. 1 August 2015. Who's Who in Cuban Baseball, 1878-1961. McFarland & Company. 178. 978-0786482641.
  2. Web site: José León. Robles de la Torre. Personajes en la historia de México. El Siglo de Torreón. 20 February 2019. 29 August 2024. es.
  3. Web site: Tomás. Morales. Unión Laguna y el título de 1950. MiLB.com. 27 February 2015. 29 August 2024. es.
  4. Web site: Jesús Alberto. Rubio. Ted Williams y Pedro Orta. Marquesina. 20 December 2019. 29 August 2024.
  5. Web site: La Liga de la Costa del Pacífico. VI Temporada. 1950-1951. historiadehermosillo.com. 29 August 2024. es.
  6. Web site: La Liga de la Costa del Pacífico. VII Temporada. 1951-1952. historiadehermosillo.com. 29 August 2024. es.
  7. Web site: Unidad Deportiva Aeropuerto necesita ayuda. El Siglo de Torreón. 13 March 2007. 29 August 2024. es.
  8. Web site: Emilio Fernando. Alonso. Jorge Orta, de Charros a Grandes Ligas. Informador. 7 March 2018. 29 August 2024. es.