Mexico was left without its most recognized player (with the permission of the sudden star that naturalized Cuban Randy Arozarena has become) in the World Baseball Classic.
the
pitcher
Sinaloan Julio Urías, who had not had a great performance, but who in any case helped the team to reach the semifinals, had to leave the national team before the game against Japan (which was lost at the last breath), and he returned with his eleventh in the Major Leagues, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who argued to order him the excessive work he was subjected to and the fact that he had exceeded the agreed number of pitches to keep his arm as healthy as possible.
His colleague Luis Cessa, of the Cincinnati Reds, was also called up to return to spring training for his franchise.
Another weight loss.
Not a few Mexican fans, in the networks and the stands, felt these movements as a kind of American "sabotage" to the good performance of the national team, which exceeded all expectations by positioning itself as one of the best in the world in this 2023 classic. And although Urías could not have been the star pitcher in the semifinals in any case, due to the necessary rotation that the pitching imposes, his mere presence in the
dugout
instills so much confidence that he was surprised.
And in what way
Mexico, just, lacked pitching.
Because Julio César Urías Acosta (Culiacán, Sinaloa, 1996) is not just any baseball player, but rather the most important Mexican in the Major Leagues in recent years, taking over from the legendary Fernando Valenzuela, Teodoro Higuera, Vinicio Castilla and others.
He was not in vain he was champion with the Dodgers in 2020, he being in charge of closing the final duel of the World Series.
And his performance went further: in 2021 he reached 20 victories (the milestone for all great
pitchers
) and in 2022 he was the leader in earned runs allowed, which led him to be present on the shortlist for the prestigious Cy Young.
Urías began his career in a children's league in his city and at the age of 15 he was recruited by the Dodgers during a talent search "window" in Oaxaca.
He signed his first contract at age 16.
He was in the minor leagues from 2013-16 before being called up to the All-Star team.
He made his Major League debut at 19, in 2017, in a game against the Mets, although he did not establish himself as a star until the 2020 season, the one in which his squad would end up being crowned.
To this success story we must add an important fact: Urías only sees with his right eye.
His left eye has undergone three surgeries to remove a benign tumor (which he suffered from since his birth) and his vision on that side is minimal.
Therefore, he must use his characteristic glasses.
He takes it philosophically: "[God] gave me a bad left eye but a good left arm," he told the
Los Angeles Times
.
His left-handed profile, his wide arsenal of resources and his fastball have made him a true star, an idol of the Mexican-American fans who form an important part of the Dodgers' rostrum.
However, there are chiaroscuro in his personal life.
In 2019, Urías was suspended for twenty games after a police inquiry into an incident of "domestic violence" (a term used by the Major Leagues to refer to gender violence) after he argued with his girlfriend and the pushed in a mall parking lot.
The pristine image of the hero suffered a strong dent.
Urías accepted the sanction and declared that he understood that his behavior had been “inappropriate” and that a professional player should maintain a “higher standard”.
Although he could not shine in the world classic as expected, the last word on his rising career is still a long way from being said.
subscribe here
to the
EL PAÍS México
newsletter and receive all the key information on current affairs in this country
