Happy Cinco de Mayo!

To celebrate, here are the nine former Orioles who are either Mexican or are of Mexican heritage.

 

I have to start with Fernando-mania, who was near the end of his career by the time he pitched for the O's but is still the biggest name of the bunch.

Next up is the only current Oriole with a Mexican background. Mr. Sporadic, Mike Gonzalez.

Rodrigo was the O's #1 pitcher for a few consecutive seasons. Which doesn't necessarily mean much considering the competition, but still, he was their Opening Day starter in 2005 & 2006.

Aurelio, like Fernando, had a long career but was an only an Oriole for the tail-end of it. He tragically was killed by an out-of-control driver while walking down a Detroit street in 2000. He was only 52 at the time of his death.

Jerry is one of the many Hairston men in his family who have played in the Major Leagues. When I was getting back into following the O's in the early-mid 2000's, I remember that he and B-Rob were in battle for the starting second base job. I think the Orioles made the right decision.

 

Most of what I remember about Karim isn't particularly positive, so I'm not going to look up anything about him. Suffice it to say that his heritage is why he's included here.

 

I've already featured these last four cards at some point, but they are the only autographs I have of these guys, so they're getting rerun.

Geronimo earned an F for his autographs skills, or lack thereof.

While Carlos, Andres, and Sergio were grouped together in a post highlighting difficult foreign autographs. I don't have anything to say about them that wasn't already said in that post, maybe besides pointing out that they are all Mexican, which you knew if you've been following along.


Hope that everyone celebrates some Mexican freedom and heritage in the American style of drinking a margarita or Corona. But not too many since you probably still have to go to work tomorrow!