Julio Machado

Julio Segundo Machado Rondón (December 1, 1965 in San Carlos del Zulia, Venezuela) is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) right-handed relief pitcher who played for the New York Mets (1989–90) and Milwaukee Brewers (1990–91). Machado's MLB career was cut short when he was imprisoned on voluntary murder charges in Venezuela. He later coached and played in Venezuelan winter baseball leagues.

Julio Machado
Pitcher
Born: (1965-12-01) December 1, 1965
San Carlos del Zulia, Venezuela
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 7, 1989, for the New York Mets
Last MLB appearance
October 6, 1991, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record7–5
Earned run average3.12
Strikeouts151
Teams
This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Machado and the second or maternal family name is Rondón.

MLB career

Machado started his career with the Mets. He made his MLB debut in 1989 and started the 1990 season with the Mets as well. He was demoted to the Class AAA Tidewater team, where he saved eight games before being recalled to the Mets in July. At the time, the Mets were looking for consistent right-handed relief pitchers, having traded Roger McDowell the previous year.[1]

Later that season, Machado was traded to the Brewers, along with pitcher Kevin Brown, in exchange for catcher Charlie O'Brien and a minor league player.

Machado had a decent fastball, good control and willingness to challenge hitters. He also pitched a better-than-average curveball and a slider.

In a three-year career, Machado posted a 7–5 record with 151 strikeouts and a 3.12 ERA in 147 innings.

Shooting

Spending the 1991 offseason in his homeland, Machado fatally shot a woman following an auto accident on December 8.[2] More than two weeks later, Machado was missing and the Brewers said they that they were planning for 1992 with the assumption that Machado would not be on the team. Though he was described as a fugitive, Venezuelan reporters said that Machado would probably turn himself in after the holidays.[3] He was held in a Caracas prison while an investigation was carried out from the middle of January to early March. He admitted that he fired the shots, but he said that he did so in self-defense, afraid that he was being robbed.[2]

When Machado was granted conditional freedom pending a trial on charges of involuntary murder, he was not allowed to leave Venezuela. Shortly thereafter, thieves stole the car of the prosecutor in Machado's case and they set it on fire.[4] He was convicted and, following appeals, Machado was sentenced to 12 years in 1996.[5]

Later life

Machado went on to play in the Venezuelan winter league and currently coaches in that league.

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See also
  • List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball

References
  1. Sexton, Joe (23 July 1990). "Mets lose, seek help for the bullpen". The New York Times. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  2. "Brewers' Machado leaves Venezuelan prison". Los Angeles Times. March 7, 1992. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  3. Haudricourt, Tom (December 23, 1991). "Machado not in plans". The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  4. "Another knee problem for Fernandez". Los Angeles Times. 14 March 1992. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  5. "Ex-pitcher sentenced". The Dispatch. 1996-08-16.
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