Houston Jiménez
Encyclopedia
Alfonso "Houston" Jiménez González (born October 30, 1957 in Mexico City, Mexico) is a former Major League Baseball
player. He played all or part of four seasons in the majors between and , primarily as a shortstop
. He currently serves as manager
of the Pericos de Puebla
in the Mexican League.
organization, where he played for the Key West Cubs
. After batting just .215 as their regular shortstop, he returned to the Pericos for two seasons. He had a brief trial with the Chicago White Sox
organization in , batting .220 in 13 games.
before the season. At the end of spring training
, he was purchased by the Broncos de Reynosa
. After spending a season and a half with Reynosa, he was reacquired by the Twins, finishing the season with the Toledo Mud Hens
.
Jiménez started 1983 with the Mud Hens, but was called up to the majors in June. He spent the rest of the season splitting time at shortstop with Ron Washington
. The following year, Jiménez became the Twins' starter, playing in 108 games. However, 1984 would prove to be the only full season he spent at the major league level. After batting just .201, he spent all of with Toledo, then was released just before the start of the 1986 season
.
in December. He spent most of with the Vancouver Canadians
, playing in just six games for the Pirates, for whom he went hitless in 7 at bat
s. He became a free agent after the season.
In June , Jiménez signed with the Cleveland Indians
. His experience was similar to the previous year, as he spent most of the season in Triple-A with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
. He appeared in eight games with the Indians, managing just one hit in 21 at bats.
. He played there until his retirement in .
in , and the Potros de Tijuana
at the start of .
After being let go by Tijuana, Jiménez was named to the coaching staff of the Tri-City Dust Devils
, a class-A farm team for the Colorado Rockies
. In , he became the hitting coach for the Asheville Tourists
, where he served for two seasons. He was also elected to the Salón de la Fama del Beisbol Profesional de México
in .
Jiménez was named Puebla's manager in . That year, he served as third base coach
for the Mexico national baseball team
at the 2009 World Baseball Classic
.
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...
player. He played all or part of four seasons in the majors between and , primarily as a shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
. He currently serves as manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of the Pericos de Puebla
Pericos de Puebla
The Pericos de Puebla are a baseball team that has been a member of the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol since 2000. They have existed on and off since 1942 in various other leagues...
in the Mexican League.
Early years
Jiménez began his playing career with Puebla in 1974 at the age of 16. In , he was signed as a free agent by the Chicago CubsChicago 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...
organization, where he played for the Key West Cubs
Key West Cubs
The Key West Cubs were a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The team played its home games at Wickers Stadium in Key West, Florida.-History:...
. After batting just .215 as their regular shortstop, he returned to the Pericos for two seasons. He had a brief trial with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
organization in , batting .220 in 13 games.
Twins
After two more seasons with Puebla, Jiménez signed with the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
before the season. At the end of spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, he was purchased by the Broncos de Reynosa
Broncos de Reynosa
The Reynosa Broncos are a Mexican team that play in the Adolfo Lopez Mateos stadium in the city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas.The Broncos de Reynosa play in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol and it's part of the Zona Norte division....
. After spending a season and a half with Reynosa, he was reacquired by the Twins, finishing the season with the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
.
Jiménez started 1983 with the Mud Hens, but was called up to the majors in June. He spent the rest of the season splitting time at shortstop with Ron Washington
Ron Washington
Ronald Washington is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and the current manager of the Texas Rangers. Prior to managing the Rangers, Washington coached in the New York Mets and Oakland Athletics organizations.-Playing career:Washington was signed by the Kansas City Royals on July 17, 1970...
. The following year, Jiménez became the Twins' starter, playing in 108 games. However, 1984 would prove to be the only full season he spent at the major league level. After batting just .201, he spent all of with Toledo, then was released just before the start of the 1986 season
1986 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox ; Ray Knight, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Marty Barrett*National League Championship Series MVP: Mike Scott...
.
Pirates and Indians
After spending 1986 out of organized ball, Jiménez signed with the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in December. He spent most of with the Vancouver Canadians
Vancouver Canadians
The Vancouver Canadians are a minor league baseball team located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadians are the Northwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The C's have previously affiliated with the Oakland Athletics between 2000-2010. They are the only Canadian team in the...
, playing in just six games for the Pirates, for whom he went hitless in 7 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s. He became a free agent after the season.
In June , Jiménez signed with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. His experience was similar to the previous year, as he spent most of the season in Triple-A with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
. He appeared in eight games with the Indians, managing just one hit in 21 at bats.
Back to Mexico
After spending several years playing winter ball, Jiménez returned to the Mexican League in with the Saraperos de SaltilloSaraperos de Saltillo
The Saraperos de Saltillo are a AAA-level baseball team playing in the Mexican League. They have won 3 championships in 1980, 2009, and 2010. Their homefield is the Estadio De Béisbol Francisco I. Madero in Saltillo, Coahuila. Juan Jose Pacho is the team manager....
. He played there until his retirement in .
Managerial career
While still active with Saltillo, he was named the club's manager in . After leaving Saltillo in , he managed the Guerreros de Oaxaca from until . He managed the Diablos Rojos del MéxicoDiablos Rojos del México
Diablos Rojos del México is a professional baseball team in the Mexican League.This team is located in Mexico City. The team name, Diablos Rojos del México, means Mexico City Red Devils. It is often believed that they are named after the Cincinnati Reds. That is, however, not the case...
in , and the Potros de Tijuana
Potros de Tijuana
Los Potros de Tijuana were a AAA-level baseball team based in Tijuana, Baja California that played in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol...
at the start of .
After being let go by Tijuana, Jiménez was named to the coaching staff of the Tri-City Dust Devils
Tri-City Dust Devils
The Tri-City Dust Devils are a minor league baseball team in Pasco, Washington, United States. The Dust Devils are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Colorado Rockies since their inception in 2001. The Devils play home games at Gesa...
, a class-A farm team for the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. In , he became the hitting coach for the Asheville Tourists
Asheville Tourists
The Asheville Tourists are a minor league baseball team based in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. They play in the Class A South Atlantic League and have been a farm team of the Colorado Rockies since 1994....
, where he served for two seasons. He was also elected to the Salón de la Fama del Beisbol Profesional de México
Salón de la Fama del Beisbol Profesional de México
The Salón de la Fama del Beisbol Profesional de México , commonly called the Salón de la Fama is a baseball hall of fame and museum located in Monterrey, Nuevo León. It is dedicated to recognizing people who have either contributed greatly to baseball in México...
in .
Jiménez was named Puebla's manager in . That year, he served as third base coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for the Mexico national baseball team
Mexico national baseball team
The Mexico national baseball team is the baseball team which represents Mexico in international tournaments. They are currently the eighth ranked baseball team in the world.-Pan American Games:*1951 Bronze Medal *1963 Bronze Medal...
at the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
.