Saraperos de Saltillo

Lore & Background

The Saraperos joined the Mexican League in 1970. The team was developed during a dinner held by the members of the Committee for Construction of the Cathedral of Saltillo, Coahuila, led by its president, Don Jorge Torres Casso. Initial discussions concerned the cost of the franchise, including purchase of players. With the support of the Governor and the Mayor of Saltillo, the Saraperos organized with Don Jorge Torres Casso as president, Mr. Flavio Treviño, Javier López del Bosque and Gustavo Lara Ramos as vice-presidents, Eleazar Galindo as treasurer and Flores Valdez Eustolio as secretary.

The team made its debut in the Mexican League on March 18, 1970 defeating the Sultanes de Monterrey 6–3 in the Parque Cuauhtémoc in Monterrey, Nuevo León. The winning pitcher for the Saraperos was Carmelo Aquino and the team won its first championship in 1980 after a full regular season and playoffs.

Reader's Guide

The Saraperos de Saltillo represent a significant franchise in the Mexican League, notable for their three championships and a long-standing rivalry with the Sultanes de Monterrey. Their 1979 team was recognized among the 100 greatest minor league teams of all time, highlighting the club's historical strength. The team's early success included three consecutive runner-up finishes in the early 1970s, and they won their first championship in a special mini-championship after the 1980 season was suspended by a players' strike. After a period of rebuilding and a stadium expansion in late 1998, the Saraperos became a consistent playoff contender, leading the league in attendance from 1999 to 2005. Despite a rumored 'curse' that they would not win until Francisco Paquin Estrada Saltillo managed them, they won back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010 under manager Orlando Sánchez. The team's stadium, Estadio Francisco I. Madero, hosted the Mexican League All-Star Game in 1986, 2002, and 2011, with the 2002 event being an international match between Mexico and Cuba.

Did You Know?

• The Saraperos made their debut on March 18, 1970, defeating the Sultanes de Monterrey 6–3.
• The 1980 championship was won in a special mini-championship after the regular season was suspended by a players' strike called 'The Curse of the Anabe.'
• The team's home stadium hosted the Mexican League All-Star Game in 1986, 2002, and 2011.
• The Saraperos won back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010 under manager Orlando Sánchez.

Founding & Origins

The Saraperos de Saltillo trace their roots to an unlikely setting: a dinner hosted by the Committee for Construction of the Cathedral of Saltillo, Coahuila. Under the leadership of committee president Don Jorge Torres Casso, members debated the practicalities of fielding a professional baseball franchise, including the costs of acquiring players. With backing from both the Governor and the Mayor of Saltillo, the group formalized the organization, appointing Torres Casso as president alongside vice-presidents Flavio Treviño, Javier López del Bosque, and Gustavo Lara Ramos, with Eleazar Galindo handling finances and Flores Valdez Eustolio serving as secretary. The team entered the Mexican League in 1970 and made their mark immediately. On March 18 of that year, they defeated the Sultanes de Monterrey 6–3 at Parque Cuauhtémoc in Nuevo León, with Carmelo Aquino earning the win over Jim Horford. That rivalry would evolve into the Clásico del Norte, one of the league's most storied matchups.

Championships & Defining Moments

Across their history, the Saraperos have captured three Mexican League titles—in 1980, 2009, and 2010—each with a distinct story. The 1980 championship came under unusual circumstances: a player strike, dubbed "The Curse of the Anabe," halted the regular season, and the league organized a special mini-championship that Saltillo claimed. The 2009 and 2010 titles, however, arrived through conventional postseason play. In 2009, manager Orlando Sánchez guided the club to a six-game victory over the Tigres de Quintana Roo. The following year, the Saraperos defended their crown in five games against the Pericos de Puebla. A persistent local legend held that the team could not win a title until Francisco Paquin Estrada Saltillo became their manager—a curse that proved unfounded when they triumphed under Sánchez. The 1979 squad also earned a place in baseball history, being recognized among the 100 greatest minor league teams of all time.

The Ley Era & Sustained Dominance

In late 1998, Sinaloan businessman Juan Manuel Ley acquired the franchise from Javier Siller Saltillo, ushering in a transformative period. Under new ownership, the Estadio Francisco I. Madero underwent major renovations to expand its capacity, every home game was broadcast on a local television network, and the club launched family-oriented promotions to draw crowds. The 1999 season validated these investments: Saltillo Plaza recorded the highest attendance of the entire league that year, and the team qualified for the playoffs after three consecutive seasons without postseason play. From 1999 through 2005, the Saraperos became the most successful club in the Mexican League, leading in attendance and reaching the playoffs in all seven seasons. Their roster featured the celebrated pitcher Luis Ayala. They claimed the Northern Zone title in both 2004 and 2005, though they fell short in the 2004 championship final to the Piratas de Campeche.

Stadium & Community Identity

The Estadio de Béisbol Francisco I. Madero, part of the Ciudad Deportiva complex in eastern Saltillo, has served as the Saraperos' home since the team's 1970 debut. Originally built in 1964 with a 7,500-seat capacity, the ballpark was expanded to 16,000 in late 1998 as part of the Ley-era modernization. Before the 2011 season, the State Government of Coahuila and the team jointly invested approximately 87 billion pesos in further renovations. The stadium has hosted three Mexican League All-Star Games—in 1986, 2002, and 2011—with the 2002 edition carrying special significance as an international contest pitting Mexico against Cuba. Located at the intersection of Boulevard Jesús Valdez Sánchez and Nazario Ortiz Garza, the venue has become a cornerstone of Saltillo's civic identity, evolving from a modest regional field into a major-league-caliber facility that anchors the city's sporting culture.

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