Ernie Camacho

Ernest Carlos Camacho (born February 1, 1955) is an American former professional baseball player who pitched in Major League Baseball from 1980 to 1981 and 1983 to 1990. His best season came with the 1984 Cleveland Indians, when he led the team with 23 saves.

Early life Camacho grew up playing baseball in his hometown of Salinas, California, first as a Little League Baseball player, then as a student at Alisal High School and Hartnell College. In 1984, Camacho led the Indians in saves with 23.

After a 20-save season in 1986, Camacho was never again able to sustain that level of effectiveness. After being granted free agency in late 1987, he had short stints with both major-league and minor-league teams over the next three seasons. He retired after the 1990 season.

Later life After his retirement from baseball, Camacho worked for a school district in Salinas, performing plumbing and electrical work. He contributed to fundraising and awareness for Alzheimer's disease, a disease that affected his father. Camacho also established an educational foundation and a youth baseball clinic in Salinas.