The “Mexican Babe Ruth”: Héctor Espino

For his entire 25-year baseball career (save for one season) Héctor Espino played in Mexico.  In Mexican professional baseball, he was the premier slugger, hitting 783 home runs in his career (combining Mexican League, Mexican Pacific League and International League numbers).  This is how he earned the nickname “The Mexican Babe Ruth.” Espino was born June 6th, 1939 in Chihuahua, Mexico.  A 5’11″ 185lbs. outfielder, the 20 year old got his start in baseball playing in the Mexican Central League for San Luis Potosi (the equivalent to class A baseball).  After dominating MCL pitching, he was called up to the Mexican League.  His rookie season came in 1962 when he broke in to the Mexican League by playing for Monterrey.  He won the Rookie of the Year that season by hitting 23HR, 12 triples and driving in 105.  Two seasons later in 1964 Espino was en fuego. That year he shifted from the outfield to first base and won the league batting title with a line of  .371/...