Mejia chooses family over baseball
The Pacific League’s Seibu Lions said Monday they have placed first baseman Ernesto Mejia on waivers at his request so that he can return home to be with his family.
Mejia, joined the Lions in 2014, when he became the first player to lead his league in home runs after being added to the roster after the start of the season. He leaves with 142 home runs in Japan.
“For eight years since 2014, he’s fought along side us with the Lions, so this is so regrettable,” general manager Hisanobu Watanabe said, according to Daily Sports. “But I believe it couldn’t be helped since the reason is his prioritizing his family.”
“He is a man of character, and a player who had great respect for Japanese baseball. We are so grateful to him.”
Like teammate Zach Neal, Mejia was one of the Lions players who purchased bricks for the plaza outside MetLife Dome. It’s hard to tell from this image if all seven of them are from him, but at least six of them are, with one in the name of his wife Maythe and their son, Alonso.
They will definitely be missed.
Buffaloes sign former Cardinal Ravelo
The Orix Buffaloes have acquired Rangel Ravelo, a 29-year-old Cuban-born first baseman and corner outfielder, who had played briefly with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pacific League club announced Monday. Ravelo produced decent numbers in Triple-A.
This year he’s slashing .407/.504/.758 in 113 plate appearances this year for Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Dodgers organization.
Although the offense has come along, the bats have been the Buffaloes’ Achilles heel this season. Raveki
