By The Star Staff
The Puerto Rico Superior (Double A) Baseball Hall of Fame honored 15 individuals on Sunday in the 34th induction ceremony, held in Aibonito. In total, six position players, four pitchers and five managers/executives were inducted.
Although he was part of the group of inductees, former federation president Osvaldo Gil was excused during the event.
Below is the list of inductees:
Josefina López Galarza – Served as executive secretary of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation for more than 50 years. She has worked under four presidents and remains active under the presidency of Dr. José Quiles.
Gilberto “Gilo” Avilés – Short outfielder for Manatí, had 612 hits and hit over .300 in 21 seasons. He was part of the National Team in three international competitions.
Félix Martínez – Short outfielder who stood out for his defense and consistency. He helped the San Lorenzo Samaritans win five national championships and Puerto Rico win a gold medal at the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games.
Arturo Álvarez – Second baseman who played most of his 17 seasons with the Cabo Rojo Pirates and had a lifetime average of .323, in addition to winning a batting title in the 2003 season with an average of .426.
Elvin “Memo” Rodríguez – Catcher and outfielder from Utuado who had 537 hits in his career and had a lifetime average of .337.
Jorge “Georgie” Meléndez – A third baseman for the Juana Díaz Poetas and two other teams in Double A. He had a lifetime average of .295 and hit over .300 on 11 occasions.
Rosario Carrión – Catcher and outfielder who in 23 seasons had a batting average of .294 and had 517 hits with six teams: Guaynabo, Patillas, Guayama, Fajardo, Aguas Buenas and Cidra.
Moisés “Poché” Hernández – Right-handed reliever who played a key role in four national titles for the Mulos de Juncos. In regular seasons he posted 31 victories and saved 42 games with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.49 with the Mulos, Río Grande, San Lorenzo, Las Piedras, Cataño and Humacao.
Francisco Caratini – Pitcher who won 64 games and had an ERA of 3.56 on the staffs of the Aibonito, Coamo, Humacao and Cayey franchises.
Larry Guzmán – Pitcher who notched 62 victories with an ERA of 3.40 with six teams: Fajardo, San Lorenzo, Las Piedras, Aibonito, Juana Díaz and Cidra.
Heriberto Bermúdez – Left-handed pitcher whose record in Double A was 63 wins, 47 losses, six games saved and an ERA of 3.26 with six teams: Aibonito, Guayama, Juana Díaz, Salinas, Cidra and Comerío.
Carmelito Ortiz – Deceased former announcer and former manager of the Braves of Cidra, with whom he won three championships in the 2012, 2013 and 2016 seasons.
José Arnaldo “Arnie” Santana – Leader of Yabucoa baseball who delivered three national titles in Little League and two Latin American titles. He has also been a manager, general manager and coach at the youth level, as well as an announcer and statistician in senior baseball.
Félix Rubén Figueroa – After retiring as a pitcher for the Leones de Patillas, he was a coach, agent and general manager of the team.
Jorge L. “Titio” Ortiz – Announcer for the Polluelos de Aibonito and a tireless collaborator with the Double A franchise.