Mark Weems: In Memorium

La temporada 1973-1974 había empezado con muchas esperanzas para las Navegantes del Magallanes. Gustavo Gil, Armando Ortiz, Jesús Aristimuño, Manuel Sarmiento, Oswaldo Olivares, Edito Arteaga, se compenetraron con Wayne Garland, Bob Darwin, Dave Agustine, George Theodore, un novato desconocido de los Medias Rojas de Boston al que Jim Frey consiguió permiso para venir, su nombre : Jim Rice. Y un relevista catire de cabello largo y patillas pobladas cuyo estilo de lanzar poco ortodoxo hizo pensar que iba a durar poco en la Liga Venezolana. Mark Weems nació el 12 de mayo de 1951 en Seattle, Washington. En 1972 con los Orioles de Asheville en la Liga del Atlántico Sur AA, Weems participó en 48 juegos, dejó marca de 4-2, 22 salvados, 70 innings, 60 hits, 30 carreras, 23 limpias, 10 jonrones, 43 boletos, 74 ponches, 2 wild pitches, efectividad 2.96.

La temporada de 1973 jugó con los Alas Rojas de Rochester en la Liga Internacional AAA, dejó marca de 9-7 en 39 juegos, salvó 4 juegos en 92 innings, 83 hits, 49 carreras, 40 limpias, 7 jonrones, 57 boletos, 57 ponches, 4 wild pitches, efectividad 3.91.

En 1971 formó parte del staff de pitcheo de las Espuelas de Dallas-Fort Worth en la Liga de Texas AA, junto a Wayne Garland (19-5, 1.71), Tom Walker, Jesse Jefferson, Don Hood. Dejaron una efectividad colectiva de 2.61 que lideró la liga y les valió el título del “Mejor Staff de pitcheo de todas la Ligas Menores”. Los números de Weems aquel año fueron: 36 juegos, 6-2, 11 salvados, 53 innings, 41 hits, 15 carreras, 14 limpias, 2 jonrones, 22 boletos, 51 ponches, 1 wild pitch, efectividad 2.38.

Con Magallanes participó en 26 encuentros, 25 como relevista, 2-1, 11 salvados, 38.1 innings, 26 hits, 14 carreras limpias, 34 ponches, 33 boletos, efectividad 3.29. Aquella ronda eliminatoria estaba muy cerrada. A finales de diciembre de 1973 no había nada definido. El 01 de enero de 1974 disfrutaba con mi mamá la brisa en el pasillo de la casa de los abuelos. Moncho y Alberto llegaron sonriendo y dijeron que Mark Weems había muerto. Pensé que bromeaban para hacerme molestar. Cuando empezaron a detallar que había desaparecido en la playa de Patanemo donde había ido con sus compañeros de equipo Wayne Garland, Bob Bailor y Don Hood, un escalofrío recorrió mis piernas. Mas tarde dijeron en la radio que luego de almorzar entro al mar y lo arrastró una resaca. No pude evitar recordar a Isaías Chávez, Herman Hill y Roberto Clemente.

Magallanes quedó fuera del play off (ese año fue suspendido por huelga de los peloteros) a sólo un juego de la clasificación y a 3 del primer lugar. ¿Hubiesen clasificado con el concurso de Mark Weems? Luego de cada juego perdido por escaso margen en aquella recta final, me hice esa pregunta.

English Translation

The 1973-1974 season had started with many expectations for the Magallanes Navigators. Gustavo Gil, Dámaso Blanco, Armando Ortiz, Jesús Aristimuño, Manuel Sarmiento, Oswaldo Olivares, Edito Arteaga, reached harmony with Wayne Garland, Bob Darwin, Dave Agustine, George Theodore, an unknown rookie of the Boston Red Sox who Jim Frey got the permit to come to play at the Venezuelan Winter League: Jim Rice. And a blond reliever of long hair and big sideburns, whose unorthodox pitching style made some people think he was a first row candidate to go back to the States. Mark Weems was born on May 12th, 1951 in Seattle, Washington.

In the 1972 season with the Asheville Orioles in the South Atlantic League AA, Weems played in 48 games, 4 wins, 2 losses, 22 saves, 70 innings, 60 hits, 30 runs, 23 earned, 10 home runs, 43 walks, 74 strikeouts, 2 wild pitches, 2.96 ERA.

In the 1973 season, with the Rochester Red Wings in the International League AAA, Weems had 9 wins, 7 losses in 39 games. He saved 4 games. 92 innings, 83 hits, 49 runs, 40 earned, 7 home runs, 57 walks, 4 wild pitches, 3.91 ERA.

In 1971 Weems was in the pitching staff of the Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs in the Texas League AA. Along with Wayne Garland (19-5, 1.71), Tom Walker, Jesse Jefferson, Don Hood. They achieved a collective ERA of 2.61 that commanded the league and earned them the title of the “Best pitching Staff in the Minor Leagues”. The Weems’ stats in 1971: 36 games, 6 wins, 2 losses, 11 saves, 53 innings, 41 hits, 15 runs, 14 earned, 2 home runs, 22 walks, 51 strikeouts, 1 wild pitch, 2.38 ERA.

With the Magallanes Navigators, Weems played in 26 games, 25 as a reliever, 2 wins,1 loss, 11 saves, 38.1 innings, 26 hits, 14 earned runs, 34 strikeouts, 33 walks, 3.29 ERA. That regular season was really tight. At the end of December there wasn´t any team qualified for the play offs. On January 1st, 1974 I was enjoying a lunch with my relatives. My friends Moncho and Alberto came smiling and told me that Mark Weems had passed away. I thought they were pulling my leg. When they began to give details about the pitcher disappearing in the Patanemo Beach where he had gone with his teammates Wayne Garland, Bob Bailor and Don Hood. I felt a cold river running down my legs. Later it was said on the radio news that Weems approached the sea after lunch and was rolled by the waves. I couldn’t avoid thinking about Isaías Chávez, Herman Hill and Roberto Clemente.

The Magallanes Navigators were disqualified from the playoffs (that year the play offs were suspended because of a players strike). They finished 1 game out of qualification and 3 from first place. Had Magallanes got to the playoffs with Mark Weems? I made myself that question after the team lost some games by less than two runs at the end of the season.