HIGH KICK, DOMINICAN DANDY JUAN MARICHAL
BY ISMAEL NUNEZ
First it was Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays, then another Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda, now Juan Marichal. As reported on October 5, 2025 by Nhung Duong, “The city of San Francisco woke up to heartbreak. Juan Marichal, the beloved “Dominican Dandy” and one of the most graceful pitchers in baseball history, has passed away at the age of 87. His passing leaves behind not only an unmatched legacy of brilliance on the mound but also a final act of humanity that has forever changed the lives of young players chasing the same dream he once lived.”
Juan Marichal was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, becoming the first Dominican ever inducted. He was a right-handed pitcher who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1960 to 1975, mostly with the San Francisco Giants. He was known for his high leg kick, variety of pitches, arm angles and deliveries, pinpoint control, and durability. He would go on to have a win-loss record of 243-142, a lifetime earned run average of 2.89, and was a 10 time All Star.
Despite his achievements, Marichal was often underrated. Around the time he was an all-star in the 1960’s, two other Hall of Fame pitchers in the National League Bob Gibson and Sandy Koufax, were getting the front page of sports magazines and newspapers. This was mainly due to the fact that Gibson won a World Series in 1964 and 1967 and Koufax won a World Series in 1963 and 1967. On top of the World Series victories, both Gibson and Koufax won Cy Young awards and were both voted Most Valuable Players the years they won their Cy Young awards, Gibson in 1968 and Koufax in 1963.
Marichal didn’t win a ring like his Dominican brothers, David Ortiz who won three rings with the Boston Red Sox, Manny Ramirez who won two with the Boston Red Sox, and Pedro Martinez who won one with both Ortiz and Ramirez in 2004 with the Boston Red Sox. Another Dominican Hall of Famer, Albert Pujols, would go on win two World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals. Even though he never won a World Series like those other players, for many Marichal is a symbol of a winner, hence his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Four other Dominicans have been elected to Cooperstown in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Pedro Martínez, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., David Ortiz, and Adrián Beltré. That number should reach five with Albert Pujols as a heavy candidate.
This past year the San Francisco Giants lost three Hall of Famers who played for them, Orlando Cepeda ,Willie Mays, and now Marichal. Cepeda, a Puerto Rican, who was elected 1999, said this about Marichal, “He’s my brother, my pal!” Their friendship is a proud symbol of Latin Brotherhood. Marichal you are the true “DOMINICAN DANDY” GOD BLESS YOU! R.I.P.
