Javier Méndez (baseball)
| Javier Méndez | |
|---|---|
| Outfielder | |
| Born: April 22, 1964 Santa Fe, Havana | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
Javier Méndez González (born April 22, 1964) is a former Cuban baseball player and manager. He played 22 seasons in the Cuban National Series, mostly with Industriales, and also was a stalwart of the Cuba national baseball team, with which he became an Olympic silver medalist. His play as a centerfielder earned him the nickname "El Seguro".[1]
Méndez debuted in the National Series with Metropolitanos in the 1981–82 season. Four seasons later, in 1985, he moved across town to Industriales. Hitting third, he finished the year batting .357, winning his first championship with Industriales that year.[2][1] The following year, Méndez earned the batting title, hitting .408, and was awarded the Most Valuable Player Award. Mendez won three more championships with Industriales, in 1992, 1996, 2003.[3] In 2003, his final season, Méndez set a league record of 92 runs batted in (a record which would later be surpassed by Alexeis Bell in 2008, with 111) and earned his second MVP award.[1]
Méndez managed Industriales for two seasons, from 2015 to 2017, before resigning due to family health concerns.[4][5]
References
- ^ a b c "Abril en la pelota: ¡Feliz Cumpleaños Javier Méndez!". No. 4 October 2023. Swing Completo. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ "Javier Méndez: "Nos hemos detenido en el tiempo"". On Cuba News. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ "El villano efímero". Cubadebate. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ "Víctor Mesa dirigirá Industriales". Jit. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ "Javier Méndez: "Industriales requería una entrega que ahora no podía darle"". CiberCuba. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)