Luis Aparicio, Sr.

Luis Aparicio Ortega (August 28, 1912 – January 1, 1971) was a Venezuelan professional baseball personality for 40 years, serving as a player, coach, field manager, and club organizer. Aparicio was the father of National Baseball Hall of Fame member Luis Aparicio; both father and son were inducted into the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame. To distinguish him from his son, the elder Aparicio is known by the nickname El Grande ( "The Elder" or "The Great One").

Baseball career Born and raised in Maracaibo, Zulia, Aparicio came from a family whose name is synonymous with baseball in Venezuela. He was the son of Leónidas Aparicio and Adelina Ortega, who introduced their children to sport activities within the local community at an early age. As a result, the young Luis excelled both in soccer and track and field before deciding to play baseball. His older brother Ernesto developed into a successful baseball manager, coach and team owner, while his son Luis Jr. spent 18 years in the Major Leagues and is a Baseball Hall of Fame member.

Aparicio was never a dominant hitter, but his defense was what made him successful. He is regarded as a notable Venezuelan shortstop of his era. He was known for his range, smooth hands, and a quick and strong arm, while showing his ability to make plays on the move and throw base runners out from all over the infield. He has been described as an intelligent player that possessed exceptional baseball sense and instincts to anticipate the play.

Engaged in any sport activities as a teenager, Aparicio Sr. was introduced to the soccer environment in the late 1920s, playing as a forward for several First Division clubs of Caracas and Maracaibo, but devoted himself to baseball when he was hired to play in the National Baseball Series tournament, where he performed for seven different teams in eleven seasons spanning 1931–1945. A few years before, in 1928, he had founded with his brother Ernesto the baseball team Los Muchachos (The Boys), which was later renamed Gavilanes de Maracaibo. Over time, the Gavilanes (Sparrowhawks) would become the most successful team in Zulian Professional Baseball annals, winning 15 of 20 summer tournaments held between 1932 and 1957.

Although he never appeared in a Major League game, Aparicio received an offer to play for the Washington Senators in 1938 that he could not achieve. At the time, he was walking in the aftermath of a hernia surgery and subsequent operations needed to address complications from previous hernia surgeries.

Aparicio Jr. also recalls his mother washing baseball uniforms for his youth team and talking at home about baseball all day. Asked what he would say about his father, the Hall of Fame member said: "When my dad asked me to be always a number one, I always kept that on my mind. I think I didn't disappoint him ... I wanted him to be proud of me, and I know he definitely was. That's the achievement of my life."

According to baseball historian Javier González, Mr. Aparicio always encouraged the youth to play at the highest level in baseball, in being as good as they could be and playing at various infield spots, but most importantly at shortstop. "He opened the doors for many ballplayers would love to play in that position", he stated categorically.

Later life and legacy Retired from active play, Aparicio coached for Gavilanes and later founded the Rapiños de Occidente club in 1957, following a disagreement with his brother Ernesto, which forced him leave the family organization. From there he departed not from his son, and went to his side with the Tiburones de La Guaira and the Águilas del Zulia, serving as the Águilas' manager for their inaugural 1969–70 season.

Aparicio died in 1971 at the age of 58, after suffering a heart attack. Through the years, he has been honored various times for his numerous contributions to Venezuelan baseball.

The Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande is named after him in his birthplace Maracaibo. Then, in 2005 he was enshrined into the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum as part of its second class.

In addition, the 2012–13 Venezuelan Professional Baseball League tournament was played in honour of the centenary of his birthday.