Garcia's career was a microcosm of
Mexican League history. The Pascual brothers were
just beginning their effort to turn the
Mexican League into a third major league
when Garcia broke in with Mexico City. He and
Vern Stephens were supposed to form
the double play combo for San Luis Potosi in 1946, but Stephens reneged on his contract,
returning instead to the majors. After Garcia hit over .300 there and with Puebla
through 1948, he joined the Juarez franchise, jumping from the financially struggling
Mexican League into the Arizona-Texas League for 1949. He led the league in runs,
hits,
triples, and batting (.377), then spent most of four years at Shreveport before finally
teaming with Stephens in Baltimore.
Garcia enjoyed his best seasons after returning
to Mexico with Monterrey in 1960-1965, averaging .351, .346, .342, and then .368
at age thirty-eight, plus a career-high 21 homers as he won his second batting title.
He finished, still a .300 hitter, with Vera Cruz, Aguila, and the Mexico City Tigers,
retiring at age 46. His career totals show a .306 average over 2,803 minor league
games.
(MC)
Chico Garcia
