Néstor Chávez

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Néstor Chávez
Pitcher
Born: (1947-07-06)July 6, 1947
Chacao, Venezuela
Died: March 16, 1969(1969-03-16) (aged 21)
Maracaibo, Venezuela
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 9, 1967, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
September 30, 1967, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
Win–loss record1–0
Strikeouts3
Earned run average0.00
Teams

Néstor Isaías Chávez Silva (July 6, 1947 - March 16, 1969) was a Venezuelan right-handed starting pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants in 1967.

Career[edit]

Chávez was born on July 6, 1947, in Chacao, Miranda State, Venezuela. He was signed as an amateur free agent in 1964 after producing a 34–3 record at the college. Chávez was nicknamed "Látigo" (whip) in his homeland, both for his stunning and sharp fastball.

Listed at 6 feet (1.83 m), 170 pounds (77 kg), Chávez was one of the best pitching prospects in the Giants farm system. At 19, he was called up to the big club after a combined 47–20 mark in the minors. In two games with the Giants, he compiled a 1–0 record with three strike outs and a 0.00 ERA in five innings. After the season, he had shoulder surgery and was sidelined for more than a year.

Chávez was ready to start his rehabilitation in the minors in 1969. However, on March 16 of that year, Chávez died in Maracaibo, in one of the worst aircraft tragedies in Venezuelan history, after Viasa Flight 742 crashed while taking off, killing all 84 aboard and 71 on the ground including Chávez.[1] He was 21 years old.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Genovese, George; Taylor, Dan (2017). Fate's Take-Out Slide: A Baseball Scout Recalls Can't-Miss Prospects Who Did. McFarland. p. 165. ISBN 9781476670102. Retrieved 9 November 2019.

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