Porfi Altamirano

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Porfi Altamirano bigraphy, stories - American Major League Baseball pitcher

Porfi Altamirano : biography

May 17, 1952 –

Porfirio Altamirano Ramírez (born May 17, 1952), nicknamed "El Guajiro" is a former Major League Baseball right-handed middle relief pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Phillies (1982–83) and Chicago Cubs (1984).

Born in Ciudad Darío, Nicaragua, Altamirano first became successful in his native country in the 1970s when he pitched for the Estelí team in the Nicaraguan National League, where he broke many records. He also shut out the powerful Cuban national team in a tournament in Colombia in 1976 beating them 5–0 and also shut out the USA team 4–0 in 1977 on a tournament played in Nicaragua, attaining status as one Nicaragua’s best amateur pitchers.Source: http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2011/01/19/deportes/49498

Although not equipped with an overpowering arm, Altamirano had an 87–92 MPH fastball and mixed in a slider and an occasional curveball. He was an ideal reliever for a bullpen-by-committee because he was able to pitch two or three innings at a time, setting the table to a variety of teammates, from Sparky Lyle to Tug McGraw to Lee Smith.

In his three-year MLB career, Altamirano compiled a 7–4 record with 57 strikeouts, a 4.03 ERA, two saves, and 91.2 innings in 65 games pitched.http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=110195&c_id=phi

Altamirano also pitched as a closer in the Venezuelan professional league in the mid 80’s for Aguilas de Zulia.