Laureano Camacho

Laureano Camacho Cossío (28 August 1917 – 19 August 1976) nicknamed "Kiriki", was a Mexican professional baseball catcher and second baseman. Camacho played in the Mexican League (LMB) for nine seasons between 1940 and 1953, primarily for Unión Laguna de Torreón, where he is regarded as a club icon. He was widely considered the best catcher in the league during the 1940s and 1950s.

Career Camacho began his baseball career as a second baseman and pitcher before ultimately settling as catcher. He made his professional debut in the Mexican League (LMB) in 1940 playing for the Azules de Veracruz, where he earned the starting catcher position over Josh Gibson and formed a battery with Ramón Bragaña, Martín Dihigo and Barney Brown. That season, the Azules won the Mexican League championship and Camacho was named Rookie of the Year.

In 1942, Camacho joined Unión Laguna de Torreón and became a key figure during the club’s golden era. He was part of the squad that won the 1942 LMB championship, playing as second baseman under player-manager Martín Dihigo, who also played as a pitcher and a position player. In 1944 he was traded to the Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo and after a four-season absence from professional play, he returned to Unión Laguna for the 1949 season.

Camacho died of cardiac arrest on 19 August 1976, aged 58.