José Ramón López Hevia

He was a Cuban baseball player who performed in the Cuban Professional Baseball League, in the Mexican League of Baseball, with a brief appearance in the Major Leagues.

He was born in the former province of Las Villas, now Villa Clara, located in the central region of Cuba. At the time he was an active player, he had a height of 6.0 feet, weighing 175 pounds.

In Cuba he played for the Marianao team, the club with which he participated in the 1957 Caribbean Series, while in Mexico he played with Monterrey, Reynosa, Tampico, and Águila de Veracruz.

In 1957 he played for Marianao, that year he participated in the IX Caribbean Series held in La Habana, which was won by the hosts, performing as a pitcher.

In 1958 he was signed by the Cleveland Indians, a Major League team.

He debuted at age 33 in the Major Leagues on August 21, 1966 with the California Angels, where he appeared in four games, did not achieve wins and lost one game, with one save. He pitched in seven innings, allowed five runs, of which four were earned for an ERA of 5.14.

In 1963 he debuted in the Mexican League of Baseball, doing so with Monterrey, he appeared in 22 games, pitched 14 complete games, achieved eight wins with six losses. In 119 innings pitched, he allowed 67 runs, of which 51 were earned for an ERA of 3.86.

In the 1964 season he appeared in 37 games, completing 30, with 13 wins and 13 losses. He pitched in 245 innings, allowing 110 runs, of which 94 were earned for an ERA of 3.45.

On May 20, 1964 he set a record of 16 strikeouts in a game, that season he led the Mexican league with 213 strikeouts. The following year he led that league again, now with 201 strikeouts.

In the 1965 series, he participated in 38 games, of which he completed 30, achieving 14 wins with 16 losses and five saves. He pitched in 242 innings, allowing 116 runs, of which 91 were earned for an ERA of 3.38.

In the 1966 season, he participated in 47 games, completing 32 of them, achieving 17 wins with 18 losses, with six saves. In 266 innings of work, he allowed 86 runs, 74 earned for an ERA of 2.50.

That year he achieved an all-time record of strikeouts for a season in the Mexican League of Baseball with 309.

In 1968 he participated in 34 games, completed 26, achieved 16 wins with nine losses and four saves. He worked in 197 innings, allowing 87 runs, of which 57 were earned for an ERA of 2.50.

In the 1969 season, he participated in 31 games, of which he completed 26, achieving 11 wins with 14 losses and three saves. In 189 innings of work, he allowed 96 runs, of which 85 were earned for an ERA of 4.05.

In the winter season of 1969-1970, playing for the Tomateros de Culiacán, he pitched in relief in the decisive game against Guaymas, achieving the first win for that team in Mexican winter baseball.

In 1970 he appeared in 33 games, completing 25, with 16 wins, 13 losses and six saves. He pitched in 205 innings, allowing 74 runs, 64 earned for an ERA of 2.81.

In 1971 he played for the Broncos de Reynosa, appearing in 35 games, completing 15, winning nine and losing 19. In 219 innings of work, he allowed 110 runs with 92 earned and an ERA of 3.78.

In 1972 he played for Yucatán appearing in 31 games, 11 complete games, with eight wins and 15 losses, appearing in 173 innings, allowing 90 runs, with 78 earned and an ERA of 4.06.

In 1973 he played for Tampico, appearing in only nine games, achieving three wins with two losses, working in 45 innings, allowing 24 earned runs for an ERA of 4.80.

In 1974 he played his last season in Mexican baseball, this time with Águila de Veracruz, appearing in 32 games, completing 15, winning 15 and losing 13, pitching in 202 innings with 86 runs, of which 70 were earned and an ERA of 3.12.

In 12 years playing in Mexican baseball, he participated in 349 games, with 153 complete games, achieving 130 wins with 138 losses. In 2102 innings of work, he allowed 946 runs, of which 780 were earned for an ERA of 3.34. In total he achieved 1498 strikeouts, nineteenth in the league all-time.

He died on September 4, 1982 in Miami, Florida, United States.