As head of the front office for the Monclova Aceros, Laredo native José Melendez has his second Mexican League (ML) championship.
Melendez, a 1998 United High School graduate, is executive vice- president and president of baseball operations for Monclova. Melendez headed the front office when the Puebla Pericos won the 2016 Mexican League title.
This is Monclova’s first Mexican League championship.
“It was an amazing run,” Melendez said, noting all three series went the seven-game distance for the first time in ML history.
The Acereros rallied in each series. Melendez recounted, “We beat the Monterrey Sultanes after being down three games to two. We beat the Toros de Tijuana after being down 2-0 and the Yucatan Leones after being down three games to two.”
The Most Valuable Player of the Finals was second baseman-turned right fielder Noah Perio, who is from Hayward, Calif.
Laredoan Jose Melendez with 2019 Mexican League baseball championship trophy. He heads the Monclova front office.
Melendez had to make some tough decisions to accomplish the title feat, including firing manager Pedro Mere and coaches Dan Firova and Alejandro Ortiz midway through the year when the team struggled.
Mere, Firova, and Ortiz, all from los dos Laredos, have ties to the Tecolotes.
Melendez hired Pat Listach as manager and a new coaching staff that included Lorenzo Bundy, a former manager in Mexico and the United States. Listach managed AAA ball in the States and formerly coached with the Cubs and Astros.
“It has been a special time in Monclova. The city and fans appreciate the championship. Baseball is all they have,” Melendez said.
