INDUCTION OF PEDRO RAMOS AND RICH GARCIA AT DUFFY’S, SOUTH FLORIDA
This past Saturday May 17, 2025, in South Miami, Florida two men who made significant contributions to the game of baseball were inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame. Rich Garcia as its 87th member and first umpire in the history of the Hall of Fame and Pedro Ramos as it’s 88th member with tons of references in Wikipedia. The Induction was a memorable one to see all-time great Pitcher Dennis Martinez present and former Yankees Pitcher Jose Rijo in support of our efforts to induct two of baseball’s long forgotten icons. In front of many friends and aficionados of the game of baseball. Family members friends and followers and many well wishers of these two great men were present at Duffy’s. Pedro Ramos grew up in a tabaco farm in Cuba but today he also has a Cigar business that he operates out of Nicaragua as he works with the youth there in teaching them the game as a mentor. Mr. Ramos is now 90 years old, and you would not think he’s as old as he is because of the fire in his eyes and luster for the game of baseball as he smokes his cigar a true baseball ambassador of the game. Pedro was born on April 28, 1935, at Pinar Del Rio Cuba and was signed at age 17 to play professional baseball. Pedro’s career records to name a few in the Major Leagues 117 wins with 160 losses, Era 4.08, Strikeouts 1,305, and was an American League All-Star in 1959. Pedro was also a scout for the California Angels for many years. Pedro played on 7 Major League teams with the greatest of the game of his era however, his heart remained with the New York Yankees. Pedro played for the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Senators, Washington Senators which eventually became the second time around the Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies where he was known as Pete or Peter, Pittsburgh Pirates with the late Roberto Clemente. Pedro and fellow Cuban Camilo Pascual were both pitching partners with the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins during their respective careers. Pedro today loves to talk about his time playing for the Yankees and his relationships with Moose Skowron, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. That is the very reason why he always wears his New York Yankees cap or Yankees memorabilia wherever he goes. Rich Garcia was born on May 22, 1942 in Key West Florida of Cuban decent and visited Cuba with his parents as a child and graduated from High school at Key West High school. Rich also served with the United States Marines in Okinawa and North Carolina as a combat engineer during his tour of duty. Rich played Marine Corps baseball for three years while in the Corps. Rich and was a former American League Umpire who attended the MLB’s Umpire Specialization Course in 1970. Rich worked his way thru the minor leagues for three years and eventually in 1975 was hired by the American League working as a third base umpire in his first major league debut in the Minnesota Twins season-opening 11-4 victory over the Texas Rangers. As Rich progressed with his career he was promoted to AL chief in 1985 and working in playoff games. Rich officiated All-Star games and eventually World Series games and officiated perfect games as well. Rich in 1996 was involved in a controversial call at the old Yankees Stadium during game 1 of the Baltimore Orioles New York Yankees game of the American League Championship series. Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter hit a ball to right field that a 12 year old fan Jeffrey Mair pulled the hit ball into the stands after reaching over the right field wall. Rich ruled the play a home run as he was umpiring in right field however, after seeing it in replay realized he had made a mistake as the Yankees went on to win the game in 11 innings and would move on to the World Series. in 1998 Rich was involved in a another controversial play in 1998 during the San Diego New York Yankees World Series when Tino Martinez had a 2-2 count and Garcia called the next pitch a ball with a three and two count on the next pitch Tino Martinez hits a Grand Slam as the Yankees won the game 9 to 6. In 1999 Rich resigned his position due to a mass resignation by the Major League Umpires Association. the move did not work and rich lost his job. Rich continued in Major League baseball as a consultant for the Commissioners office as a MLB Umpire Supervisor in 2002. On March 6, 2020 Rich lost his job with fellow Umpire Marty Springstead and Jim McKean due to the result of calls that were controversial during the 2009 season. Outside his MLB Career Rich had worked in various umpire schools and starred in the movie in 1999 “For the Love of the Game” with Kevin Costner and Kelly Preston. Rich resides in Clearwater Florida with his wife Sheryl and have 4 children and 10 grandchildren and is the father in-law of MLB Umpire Vic Carapazza.
Gabriel “Tito” Avila, Jr.
Editor
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame
