Vaqueros Laguna
From BR Bullpen
- English Name: Laguna Cowboys
- Location: Torreon, Coahuila
- League: Mexican League 2003-present
- Affiliation: none
- Ballpark: Estadio de la Revolución
[edit] Team History
In 2003, after years of futility, the Algodoneros de Torreon became the Vaqueros Laguna (or Laguna Cowboys in English). The Mexican League club plays in Torreon, Coahuila and represents the metropolitan area know as Unión Laguna which also includes the city of Gomez Palacio, Durango.
The team had a very difficult first season in 2003. They started off well enough, going 23-25 through May 13 under manager Alex Taveras; however, he left the team, and the Cowboys went into a tailspin, as the team played under .300 for his two successors, Roberto Mendez and Jose Juan Bellazetin, finishing at 39-71, 15th out of 16th in the League. The team's best hitters were 2B Carlos Rodriguez, who hit .321 with no power, and OF Cornelio Garcia, who hit .371 in 58 games between stops with the Guerreros de Oaxaca and Mexico City Red Devils. They improved to 45-54, good for 10th overall, in 2004, but were swept in four games by the Saraperos de Saltillo in the first round of the playoffs.
In 2007, the team finished with a 52-56 record, 9th overall in the Liga under manager Dan Firova. 1B Mario Valdez led the team with a .342 average, while outfielder Omar De La Torre hit .306 with 20 HR and 70 RBI. 2B Jose Amador drove in 76 runs with a .308 average and 3B Sergio Gastelum completed a solid offensive quartet with a line of .332/.414/.466 and 70 runs scored. Fernando Valenzuela Jr. played 47 games with the club, hitting .349 in only 106 at bats. On the mound, the leading pitchers were Alberto Manrique (6-7, 4.79), Aaron Acosta (8-4, 4.77) and Nate Bland (4-5, 3.65). Former Major Leaguers Horacio Estrada and Dave Elder both pitched regularly for the club. The Vaqueros will be managed by Ramon Esquer Navarro in 2008; the former Mexican League player and coach will be making his managerial debut.
[edit] Year-by-Year Record
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 39-71 | 15th | Alex Taveras (23-25) / Roberto Mendez (7-25) / Jose Juan Bellazetin (9-21) | |
| 2004 | 45-54 | 10th | Gerardo Sanchez | Lost in 1st round |
| 2005 | 38-71 | 15th | Gerardo Sanchez / Antonio Aguilera / Wes Clements / Hector Estrada | |
| 2006 | 50-59 | |||
| 2007 | 52-56 | 9th | Dan Firova |
