Porfi Altamirano
Encyclopedia
Porfirio Altamirano Ramírez (born May 17, 1952), nicknamed "El Guajiro" is a former Major League Baseball
right-handed middle relief pitcher
who played for the Philadelphia Phillies
(1982–83) and Chicago Cubs
(1984).
Born in Ciudad Darío
, Nicaragua
, Altamirano first became successful in his native country in the 1970s when he pitched for the Estelí
team in the Nicaraguan National League
, where he broke many records. He also shut out the powerful Cuban national team
in a tournament in Colombia in 1976 beating them 5-0 and also shut out the USA team
4-0 in 1977 on a tournament played in Nicaragua, attaining status as one Nicaragua's best amateur pitchers.
Although not equipped with an overpowering arm, Altamirano had an 87-92 MPH fastball
and mixed in a slider
and an occasional curveball
. He was an ideal reliever for a bullpen-by-committee because he was able to pitch two or three innings at a time, setting the table to a variety of teammates, from Sparky Lyle
to Tug McGraw
to Lee Smith
.
In his three-year MLB career, Altamirano compiled a 7-4 record with 57 strikeout
s, a 4.03 ERA
, two saves, and 91.2 innings in 65 games pitched
.
Altamirano also pitched as a closer in the Venezuelan professional league
in the mid 80's for Aguilas de Zulia.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right-handed middle relief pitcher
Middle relief pitcher
In baseball, middle relief pitchers are relief pitchers who commonly pitch in the 6th or 7th innings or in situations where several innings worth of work is required . In the National League, a middle reliever often comes in after the starting pitcher has been pulled for a pinch hitter...
who played for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1982–83) and Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(1984).
Born in Ciudad Darío
Ciudad Darío
Ciudad Darío is a municipality in the Matagalpa department of Nicaragua. It is the birthplace of poet Rubén Darío.Previously known as Metapa and Chocoyos even before that, Ciudad Darío is located 90 km from Managua...
, Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
, Altamirano first became successful in his native country in the 1970s when he pitched for the Estelí
Estelí
Estelí, officially Villa de San Antonio de Pavia de Estelí is a city and municipality within the Estelí department. It is the third largest city in Nicaragua, an active commercial center in the north and is known as "the Diamond of the Segovias."...
team in the Nicaraguan National League
Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League
La Liga Nicaragüense de Beisbol Profesional was inaugurated on Saturday, March 30, 1956 in Estadio Nacional. The first game was between the teams from San Fernando and Bóer. The Nicaraguan public's excitement for baseball grew as foreign professional teams and foreign players came to play in their...
, where he broke many records. He also shut out the powerful Cuban national team
Cuba national baseball team
The Cuba national baseball team is the national team of Cuba. The team is made up of amateur players from the Cuban national baseball system, as there are no professional sports leagues in Cuba...
in a tournament in Colombia in 1976 beating them 5-0 and also shut out the USA team
United States national baseball team
The United States National Baseball team represents the United States in international baseball competition. The United States has won the previous two Baseball World Cups, having lost this title to the Netherlands in 2011, and is currently second in the IBAF World Rankings, behind Cuba.The team...
4-0 in 1977 on a tournament played in Nicaragua, attaining status as one Nicaragua's best amateur pitchers.
Although not equipped with an overpowering arm, Altamirano had an 87-92 MPH fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
and mixed in a slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
and an occasional curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
. He was an ideal reliever for a bullpen-by-committee because he was able to pitch two or three innings at a time, setting the table to a variety of teammates, from Sparky Lyle
Sparky Lyle
Albert Walter "Sparky" Lyle is an American former left-handed relief pitcher who spent sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball . He was a closer from 1969 to 1977, first for the Boston Red Sox and then the New York Yankees. A three-time All-Star, he won the American League Cy Young Award in 1977...
to Tug McGraw
Tug McGraw
Frank Edwin "Tug" McGraw Jr. was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher and the father of Country music singer Tim McGraw and actor/TV personality Mark McGraw and Cari McGraw...
to Lee Smith
Lee Smith (baseball)
Lee Arthur Smith is an American right-handed former baseball pitcher who played 18 years in Major League Baseball for eight teams. Pitching primarily for the Chicago Cubs, with whom he spent his first eight seasons, Lee served mostly as a relief pitcher during his career...
.
In his three-year MLB career, Altamirano compiled a 7-4 record with 57 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s, a 4.03 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, two saves, and 91.2 innings in 65 games pitched
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...
.
Altamirano also pitched as a closer in the Venezuelan professional league
Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League or Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional is the highest level baseball league in Venezuela.-Brief history:Baseball exploded in Venezuela in 1941, following the world championship in Havana....
in the mid 80's for Aguilas de Zulia.