Orestes González

Orestes González Rivera

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 183 lb.

• Born January 19, 1965 in Viñales, Pinar del Río Cuba

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Orestes González was a star reliever in Cuba.

Pitching for Pinar del Río, he pitched 50 games in the 2001-2002 Serie Nacional, breaking Duniel Ibarra's record by five. He also set a record with 25 saves. Yoandy Barrios broke his games pitched record six years later. Through 2013, the save record still stands, though Vladimir García tied it. He then dominated for the Occidentales in the Súper Liga, going 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA; he led in ERA and tied Vicyohandri Odelín and Yadel Martí for the win lead.

Orestes was the losing pitcher in the Cuban All-Star Game in 2003. He led the Súper Liga with 9 games pitched in 2004. In the 2003-2004 Serie Nacional, he tied Danni Aguilera for the save lead (17), his third and final time leading the loop. In 2005-2006, he broke Euclides Rojas' career saves record of 90. He would be surpassed a year later by José García.

González retired at the end of 2006-2007 with a 62-37 record, 101 saves and a 3.05 ERA. In 863 1/3 IP, he allowed 174 walks and a .270 average while fanning 415. Through 2013-2014, he was 4th in the Castro-era Cuban league in games relieved (364, behind García, Yolexis Ulacia and Ibarra) and 5th in saves (behind García, Ibarra, Ulacia and Aguilera).

He also played in Nicaragua in 1996-1997, leading his team to a title. Despite his success in Cuba, he never played for the Cuban national team (during this time, Cuba rarely used relief specialists, preferring to use starters in relief roles when needed - for instance, Orestes' long-time teammate Pedro Luis Lazo often was closer for the national team but was a starter back in Cuba).

Sources

• INDER
• Ecured
• Desde Mi Palco De Fanatico blog