Kino Bay, Sonora, Mexico
One of the pleasures of living near Hermosillo is staying up with the local “equipo de beisbol,” the Naranjeros, and even attending a game or two at their stadium, named, “Nuestro Querido Estadio ‘Hector Espino’,” after a local baseball star of years past.
The Naranjeros (the “Orangepickers”) are part of the Mexican Pacific League (La Liga Mexicana del Pacifico, or LMP). They play winter ball starting in October, after the World Series, and ending in December. Promising young baseball players from throughout Mexico are recruited to play in the league and are scouted here by “the Bigs.” Minor league ballplayers from the US play here to sharpen their skills and earn a little end of season money, then take a few months off before Spring Training begins with their regular team. Along with names like Rodriguez and Garcia, the team has players named Doster, Johnson and Cirillo.
Some of these guys go on to very successful careers in the Major Leagues. Erubiel Durazo, one of the star hitters for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Oakland Athletics came from this Hermosillo team, and the name Durazo is common here. And Fernando Valenzuela, former star pitcher for the L.A. Dodgers has returned to pitch this season for his old team, the Águilas (Eagles) of Mexicali.
At the stadium, everything is done with enthusiasm. The music seems louder there, the announcer puts an extra roll on his “rrrr’s,” and there are good greasy tacos and cerveza fria available at the usual ballpark prices. There is often a promotion of some kind, usually featuring young women in fetching attire. Fans toss a big inflated ball around the stands when things start to get sluggish late in the game. And there’s usually some fan who sings or dances extemporaneously to the delight of everybody in the stands. Mexicanos love to have a party.
At our first game a few years back people stared at us, especially when I stood up to cheer on the team or hail the closest ‘beer guy.’ I sensed it was because the two of us may have set some kind of record for “Gringos in the Stadium,” or maybe for “Tallest Güero (Blonde Guy) in the Stadium.” Lately we seem to pass, well, not exactly unnoticed, but perhaps just accepted as an ordinary everyday oddity. One of the true charms of Hermosillo is the double take people still do when they see us walking, shopping, or standing in a line. Gringos on the street are still rare here.
On the Sports Page (Deportes) of this morning’s paper (12/5/04) the headline reads: “Triunfan Cañeros, ” meaning the Cañeros (the Cane Cutters) won last night by a score of 10 to 8 in their home stadium in Los Mochis. The game began well enough for the Naranjeros as Dave Doster lofted a “sacrificio” into “jardín central” (center field) to bring in a “carrera”(“run”). And when Saúl Soto of the Cañeros made “un error,” attempting “el doble play,” the Naranjeros ended the first inning with a score of 2 to 0. But near the end of the game, Soto connected for a “jonron” (also called a “cuadrangular,” “imparable,” or “vuelacercas”) to drive in “tres más carreras” and put the Cañeros ahead. Soto topped that one off with “un doblete” to add “una anotación más” to the score and seal the fate of the Hermosillo team.
As the “Segunda Vuelta” (Second Round, or Second Half) of the season heats up, the Naranjeros are very close to the cellar, currently tied with Mazatlán for last place. They go on to face the “Mayos” of Navojoa in a three game series at home. Then it’s back on the road to face the “Yaquis” of Ciudad Obregón. After that, it’s the “Algodoneros” (the “Cotton Pickers”) from Guasave. They’ve already faced the “Venados” (the “Deer) from Mazatlán, and fortunately they don’t have to face the League-leading “Tomateros” (“the “Tomato Pickers”) from Culiacán again this go around.
But esperanza (hope) springs eternal in the corazón (heart) of the Naranjeros fanático (fan) as we cheer el orgullo (the pride) of Hermosillo in “Our Beloved Stadium ‘Hector Espino.’
Stay up with the latest ‘Noticias de los Naranjeros’ at: www.naranjeros.com —PRW
