Olmecas de Tabasco | |
---|---|
League | Mexican League (South Zone) |
Location | Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico |
Ballpark | Estadio Centenario 27 de Febrero |
League championships | 1993 |
Colors |
Green, white |
Manager | Enrique Reyes |
Green, white
The Olmecas de Tabasco (English: Tabasco Olmecs) are a AAA-level baseball team based in Tabasco playing in the Mexican League. Their homefield is the Estadio Centenario 27 de Febrero in Villahermosa.
One of the best known teams in southeastern Mexico, the Olmecas de Tabasco have won one championship, in 1993, and have ten appearances in the Mexican League playoffs.
Their most recent playoff appearance was in 2012 when they lost to the Veracruz Rojos del Aguila, 4-1.
The Olmecas began playing in the Mexican League in 1975 and have had many nicknames, they've been the Cardinales de Tabasco (1975), the Plataneros de Tabasco (1977–85), and the Ganaderos de Tabasco (1985–89). They became the Olmecas in 1990. In 1998, they played as the Ganaderos for two seasons before returning to the Olmecas name for the 2000 season. They have played in Estadio Centenario 27 de Febrero in Villahermosa for their entire history.
The Olmecas won their only championship in 1993 under manager Juan Navarrete. The Olmecas have long been known for their pitching, especially Emigdio Lopez, Tabasco Cecilio Ruiz, Juan Jesus Alvarez, Jesus "Chito" Rios, Ricardo Osuna and Gaudencio Aguirre. Other well known players who have played for the Olmecas include catcher Elisha Garzón, first baseman Jay Gainer, second baseman Joel Serna, third baseman Manuel Ramirez and shortstop Heber Gomez. Rusty Tillman, Oscar Zambrano Fentanes and Rosario, Arturo Bernal and Tabasco Carlos Sievers have all been stars in the outfield in Villahermosa.
The first team representing Villahermosa in the Mexican League where nicknamed the Cardinales. Plagued with economic problems, they sat out the 1976 season before returning to the league in 1977.
When the club returned for 1977, they were renamed the Plataneros, the Banana Planters, a name they knept until 1985. The Plataneros found their first success in 1979, when they qualified for the playoffs under manager Raul Cano. The team included Arturo Bernal, Rommel Canada, Joel Orquendo, and Nike Nagy.
As the 1980s began, the Plataneros signed stars Luis Tiant and Jesus Sommers but did not find scucess on the field. In 1984, Julian Manzur, the club presented, decided to sell the team.