Laureano Camacho Cossío (28 August 1917 – 19 August 1976) nicknamed "Kiriki", was a Mexican professional baseball catcher and second baseman. Camacho played in the Mexican League (LMB) for nine seasons between 1940 and 1953, primarily for Unión Laguna de Torreón, where he is regarded as a club icon. He was widely considered the best catcher in the league during the 1940s and 1950s.
Career Camacho began his baseball career as a second baseman and pitcher before ultimately settling as catcher. He made his professional debut in the Mexican League (LMB) in 1940 playing for the Azules de Veracruz, where he earned the starting catcher position over Josh Gibson and formed a battery with Ramón Bragaña, Martín Dihigo and Barney Brown. That season, the Azules won the Mexican League championship and Camacho was named Rookie of the Year.
In 1942, Camacho joined Unión Laguna de Torreón and became a key figure during the club’s golden era. He was part of the squad that won the 1942 LMB championship, playing as second baseman under player-manager Martín Dihigo, who also played as a pitcher and a position player. In 1944 he was traded to the Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo and after a four-season absence from professional play, he returned to Unión Laguna for the 1949 season.
In 1950, Unión Laguna won its second LMB title under manager Guillermo Garibay with Camacho as the starting catcher, having his best season, batting .313 with 43 RBI. He would go on to play three more seasons with Unión Laguna, retiring after the 1953 season.
Camacho died of cardiac arrest on 19 August 1976, aged 58.
Career statistics Mexican League Season Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB BA SLG Torreón 73 247 41 74 17 1 0 44 1 23 .300 .377 Torreón 86 310 36 84 18 1 4 49 4 35 .271 .374 Nuevo Laredo 87 311 37 92 15 2 5 54 1 33 .296 .405 Torreón 76 278 35 65 15 2 2 35 5 39 .234 .324 Torreón 71 243 30 76 14 0 5 43 2 29 .313 .432 Torreón 73 265 26 78 16 4 1 38 2 27 .294 .396 Torreón 80 278 26 61 5 2 5 25 1 37 .219 .306 Torreón 43 145 20 34 5 0 1 18 1 29 .234 .290 Total (8 seasons) 589 2077 251 564 105 12 23 306 17 252 .272 .367 Source: Enciclopedia del Beisbol Mexicano
Personal life Camacho was the uncle of Ronnie Camacho, whom he inspired to pursue baseball by giving him a glove that had been gifted to him by Martín Dihigo when both played for Unión Laguna.
References
External links and Seamheads