Tommy Herrera

Tomás Herrera Jr. (November 9, 1931 – December 14, 2016) was a Mexican-American professional baseball player and manager, beginning his professional career in 1953. Herrera spent six seasons playing in the Mexican League and was enshrined in the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 2023. His nickname was "Sargento Metralla".

Playing career Herrera was born on November 9, 1931, in Laredo, Texas.

Herrera played in the minor leagues for at least six seasons, never reaching the major leagues - though he did spend parts of four seasons at the Open designation, which was created to help build the Pacific Coast League into a major league and in the Mexican League, the highest-level professional league in Mexico. A pitcher, Herrera won as many as 10 games in a season, per the records available.

Herrera spent six seasons in the Mexican League, from 1957 to 1962, playing for the Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo, the Tigres de México, and the Diablos Rojos del México, recording 167 games, 49 wins, 44 losses, and an ERA of 4.14.

Managerial career After retiring, in 1963, Herrera was given the chance to manage the Diablos Rojos del México, leading them to first place finishes and league championships in 1964 and 1968; he left the team after the 1969 season. He was the first manager in the history of the Saraperos and Mineros.

Death Herrera died on December 14, 2016 in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, aged 85.

Managerial statistics Mexican League Year Team Regular season Postseason Games Won Lost Tied Pct. Finish Won Lost Pct. Notes MEX 132 2nd – – – – MEX 140 1st – – – – MEX 140 5th – – – – MEX 140 3rd Lost Final Series (Tigres) MEX 140 3rd – – – – MEX 140 1st – – – – MEX 154 5th – – – – SLT 150 5th in North – – – – SLT 146 1st in North Lost Final Series (Jalisco) SLT 140 1st in North Lost Final Series (Córdoba) PUE 133 4th in South – – – – COA 138 7th in North – – – – COA 134 7th in North – – – – Total 1827