Chi-Chi Olivo

Chi-Chí Olivo
Relief Pitcher
Born: (1928-03-28)March 28, 1928
Guayubín, Dominican Republic
Died: February 3, 1977(1977-02-03) (aged 48)
Guayubín, Dominican Republic
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 5, 1961, for the Milwaukee Braves
Last MLB appearance
October 1, 1966, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
Win–loss record 7–6
Strikeouts 98
Earned run average 3.96
Teams

Federico Emilio Olivo Maldonado (March 28, 1928 – February 3, 1977) was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. His brother, Diomedes Olivo, was also a major league pitcher.

Career

Chi-Chi was 27 years old when he signed with the Milwaukee Braves prior to the 1955 season. It wasn't until he was 33 years old that he made his major league debut on June 5, 1961. He gave up a home run to the very first batter he faced, Jerry Lynch.[1] He returned to the mound again the next day, and surrendered three earned runs in just a third of an inning.[2]

He pitched once more three days later,[3] but would not return to the majors for another three years. He stumbled in his first two outings of 1964, but settled down substantially from there. Over the month of July, Chi-Chi had a 1.93 earned run average, and held opposing hitters to a .216 batting average. Both of his first two career wins against the New York Mets on July 26 in a doubleheader at Shea Stadium. Overall, he went 2-1 with a 3.75 ERA & five saves.

After two April appearances in 1965, Chi-Chi was demoted to the triple A Atlanta Crackers. He dominated the International League with a 9-2 record & 1.74 ERA to earn a call back up to Milwaukee that September. He was equally dominant, pitching 9.1 innings, and allowing just one earned run. That one run came against the Los Angeles Dodgers courtesy of a Maury Wills infield bunt single in extra innings. After reaching first, Wills stole second, and came around to score on a two out single by Lou Johnson off Dick Kelley to give Chi-Chi his only loss on the season.[4]

Chi-Chi's final major league season was 1966 for the newly relocated Atlanta Braves. He went 5-4 with a 4.23 ERA & seven saves. After the season, he & outfielder Bill Robinson were dealt to the New York Yankees for third baseman Clete Boyer. He pitched one season for the Yankees' triple A affiliate Syracuse Chiefs, going 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA in nine starts.

Chi-Chi also pitched in the Dominican Professional Baseball League for the Tigres del Licey, Aguilas Cibaeñas & Estrellas Orientales, and the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League with the Criollos de Caguas.

References

  1. ↑ "Cincinnati Reds 5, Milwaukee Braves 3". Baseball-Reference.com. June 5, 1961.
  2. ↑ "Cincinnati Reds 7, Milwaukee Braves 3". Baseball-Reference.com. June 6, 1961.
  3. ↑ "Chicago Cubs 11, Milwaukee Braves 10". Baseball-Reference.com. June 9, 1961.
  4. ↑ "Los Angeles Dodgers 7, Milwaukee Braves 6". Baseball-Reference.com. September 22, 1965.
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