Manuel Fortes
From BR Bullpen
Manuel Fortes (Manolo, Chino)
- Bats Both, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 192 lb.
- Born April 8, 1913 in Perico, Matanzas Cuba
P/OF Manuel Fortes played stateside in the 1936 New York-Penn League and in Southwestern leagues in 1947-1955. He played in the Mexican League from 1940-1944, going 62-48 with a 4.22 ERA. His 18-6 record in 1943 led the Liga in winning percentage.
In the 1935 Central American and Caribbean Games, Fortes had the best record at 3-0 to help Cuba win a Gold Medal. He also hit .357 at the plate.
Fortes played in the Cuban Winter League from 1936-1944. In 1936, he was also one of the first 9 Cubans signed to a US contract by Joe Cambria along with Mike Guerra, Tommy de la Cruz, Jorge Comellas, Regino Otero and Bobby Estalella.
Fortes managed from the 1940s through the 1970s in the US and Mexico. He was the winning manager in the first Mexican Pacific League season (1946).
[edit] Year-by-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | Algodoneros de Torreon | Mexican League | -- | -- | replaced Mel Almada replaced by Martin Dihigo | |
| 1947 | Indios de Ciudad Juárez/Mesa Orphans | Arizona-Texas League | 61-69 | 4th | ||
| 1948 | Indios de Ciudad Juárez | Arizona-Texas League | -- | -- | replaced by Francisco Barradas | |
| 1952 | Indios de Ciudad Juárez | Arizona-Texas League | 84-55 | 1st | none League Champs | |
| 1953 | Indios de Ciudad Juárez | Arizona-Texas League | -- | -- | replaced by Victor Canales July 10 | |
| 1954 | Nogales Yaquis | Arizona-Texas League | -- | -- | replaced by Virgilio Arteaga August 8 | |
| 1975 | Algodoneros del Unión Laguna | Mexican League | 8th | Lost in 1st round | replaced José Guerrero | |
| 1976 | Zacatecas Tuzos | Mexican Center League | 5th | none | replaced Felipe Hernandez | |
| 1977 | Charros de Jalisco | Mexican Center League | 35-31 | 5th | ||
| 1978 | Charros de Jalisco | Mexican Center League | 23-34 | 11th |
