Remy Hermoso – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Venezuelan shortstop Ángel Remigio “Remy” Hermoso left his mark on Major League Baseball during a brief but memorable career that ran from 1967 to 1974. Born in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, Hermoso stepped onto baseball’s biggest stage at a time when Venezuelan players were still a pretty rare sight in the major leagues.

Hermoso played for three MLB teams: the Atlanta Braves, Montreal Expos, and Cleveland Indians. He retired after the 1974 season, just 26 years old. His journey from Venezuela’s amateur leagues to the majors really highlighted the growing international talent that would eventually help transform baseball into a global sport.

His big league stats? Pretty modest, honestly—a .211 batting average over 91 games. But numbers don’t tell his whole story. Hermoso’s path from Venezuelan amateur ball to the majors, his flexibility as a middle infielder, and his legacy back home in Venezuela all add up to a story about perseverance and cultural impact. Even decades later, his journey still resonates with a lot of people.

Early Life and Background

Ángel Remigio Hermoso was born October 1, 1947, in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. At the time, baseball was quickly becoming the country’s favorite sport.

His childhood in this coastal city played a big role in shaping his path to professional baseball in the United States.

Family and Heritage

Remy Hermoso grew up in Carabobo, Venezuela. His full name, Ángel Remigio Hermoso, definitely reflects his Latin roots, but everyone in baseball just called him “Remy.”

The Hermoso family lived in Puerto Cabello during a time when Venezuela was starting to produce its first wave of major league players. This shift toward baseball excellence meant a lot for Remy’s development.

His family gave him the support he needed to chase his baseball dreams. Eventually, that foundation led him to sign with the Atlanta Braves as an amateur free agent.

Growing Up in Puerto Cabello

Puerto Cabello was the backdrop for Remy’s early years. This coastal city in Carabobo State had a strong baseball culture that helped him grow as a player.

Growing up in a port city exposed him to all sorts of influences and opportunities. Puerto Cabello’s location made it a hotspot for both local talent and international scouts.

By 1963, Hermoso started making a name for himself in Venezuelan amateur baseball. He played for the Urbanos team in 1963 and 1964.

Those early years in Puerto Cabello really built his reputation as a skilled infielder. Scouts noticed his performance and eventually recommended him to big league organizations.

Early Baseball Influences

The baseball scene in 1960s Venezuela had a huge effect on Hermoso’s development. The country was going through a golden age of baseball talent back then.

Local programs and amateur leagues offered lots of structured competition. These experiences taught him the basics of infield play that stuck with him throughout his career.

Other Venezuelan players were starting to make their way to the majors, paving a path for younger talents like Hermoso. This network of success stories gave him both inspiration and practical advice.

He developed his right-handed batting and throwing style during these early years. The coaching and competition he faced at home set him up for the jump to American pro baseball.

Professional Baseball Journey

Remy Hermoso’s road to the majors started in Venezuela and took him through several organizations over nearly a decade. He signed with Atlanta as a teen and wrapped up his career with Cleveland in 1974.

Signing with the Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves spotted Remy Hermoso in Venezuela in the mid-1960s. They signed him as an international prospect when he was still just a teenager.

Hermoso impressed scouts with his right-handed bat and defensive skills at shortstop. He earned a spot in the Braves’ farm system.

The Braves invested in his development, hoping to tap into the growing Latin American talent pool. Venezuela was becoming a major source of major league players during that era.

Minor League Development

Hermoso spent time in the Braves’ minor league system before his major league debut. Coaches worked with him to improve his hitting and fielding.

At 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds, he had to focus on contact hitting instead of power. Coaches also helped him sharpen his defensive positioning and base running.

He made enough progress to get noticed for a possible major league call-up. Team officials liked his work ethic and fundamentals during spring training.

Major League Debut

Hermoso debuted in the majors on September 14, 1967, with the Atlanta Braves. He faced the New York Mets in his first big league game.

He didn’t play much that first season, as the Braves wanted to see if he was ready for regular action. They mostly used him as a utility infielder while he got used to major league pitching.

That debut gave him valuable experience at the highest level. After Atlanta, Hermoso went on to play for the Montreal Expos and Cleveland Indians before wrapping up his career.

Major League Baseball Career Highlights

Remy Hermoso played for three teams in his seven-year MLB career from 1967 to 1974. He started out with the Atlanta Braves as a teenager, then moved on to the Montreal Expos and Cleveland Indians, showing off his versatility as both a shortstop and second baseman.

Time with the Atlanta Braves

Hermoso made his MLB debut for the Braves on September 14, 1967, at just 19. He played in 11 games at the end of the season as a backup infielder.

He showed some promise despite the limited playing time. His first appearance came against the New York Mets, kicking off a seven-year major league career.

During his time with Atlanta, Hermoso mostly played shortstop. The Braves gave him his first shot at the majors, but he didn’t return after that season.

His stint in Atlanta was short but important—it made him one of the younger players to debut in MLB at that time.

Playing for the Montreal Expos

The Montreal Expos picked Hermoso in the 1969 expansion draft, making him part of the team’s very first season. He played 28 games for Montreal in 1969, hitting .168 as a backup infielder.

He spent most of 1969 with the Vancouver Mounties, the Expos’ AAA team. His hitting struggles kept him from locking down a regular spot in the majors.

He made a brief return to the Expos in 1970, playing just four games at the start of the season. That was his last appearance with Montreal.

Key Montreal Statistics:

• 1969: 28 games, .168 batting average
• 1970: 4 games, limited action

The Expos kept him in the minors through 1972, but his bat never quite came around enough for a full-time major league role.

Cleveland Indians Tenure

After 1972, the Indians traded for Hermoso, sending minor leaguer Mike Carruthers to Montreal. His 1974 season with Cleveland was his longest run in the majors.

Hermoso played 48 games for the Indians in 1974, hitting .221 and scoring 15 runs. He split second base duties with Jack Brohamer that season.

He started his Cleveland career with a memorable double off Yankees pitcher Mel Stottlemyre on April 6, 1974. That was actually his first extra-base hit in the majors, coming after 43 games.

The Indians mainly used Hermoso at second base, showing off his defensive flexibility. His final MLB game came on September 30, 1974, against the Boston Red Sox.

Career MLB Totals:

• Games: 91
• Batting Average: .211
• Home Runs: 0
• RBIs: 8

Positions and Playing Style

Remy Hermoso played all over the middle infield from 1967 to 1974. He mainly handled second base and shortstop, earning a reputation as a steady defender, even if his bat never really took off.

Shortstop Skills and Fielding

Hermoso started his pro career at shortstop with the Braves in 1967. He played nine games there that season, starting eight, and posted a .952 fielding percentage.

His defense at shortstop looked promising early on. In 210 total outs at the position with Atlanta, he handled 42 chances with 16 putouts and 24 assists. He made just two errors and turned four double plays.

The Expos also used him at shortstop in 1969, but he struggled a bit, posting a .833 fielding percentage in six games. That probably led to his move away from shortstop as his main position.

In total, Hermoso played 15 games at shortstop in his career. He recorded 48 chances with 19 putouts and 26 assists and made three errors, ending up with a .938 career fielding percentage at short.

Second Baseman Role

Second base became Hermoso’s main spot during his time with Montreal and Cleveland. He played 66 games at second, starting 56 of them.

He spent the most time at second base during the 1974 season with Cleveland. Hermoso played 45 games there, starting 38. He handled 214 chances with 86 putouts and 121 assists.

He showed better defensive consistency at second base compared to shortstop. His .968 career fielding percentage and 45 double plays at second were solid. His range factor was 5.55 at second, better than his 4.66 at short.

Hermoso’s reliability at second made him a valuable utility player. He made just 10 errors in 1,449 total outs at the position over his whole career.

Offensive Contributions

Hermoso never really found his groove at the plate. He finished his MLB career with a .211 average in 91 games, collecting 47 hits in 223 at-bats.

His best year with the bat came in 1967 with Atlanta, where he hit .308 in 11 games. That included eight hits in 26 at-bats and three runs scored. He never hit a home run in his pro career.

He struggled with consistency at the plate after that. He hit .162 with Montreal in 1969 and .221 with Cleveland in 1974. In total, he scored 25 runs and drove in eight.

Across his career, Hermoso drew 14 walks and struck out 21 times, leading to a .259 on-base percentage. He didn’t have much power, either, with a .233 career slugging percentage.

Life After Retirement in 1974

After his MLB days, Remy Hermoso went back to Venezuela. He spent decades developing baseball talent and supporting the country’s baseball programs. He coached pro teams, ran baseball schools, and took on leadership roles until he passed away in 2020 at age 72 in Puerto Cabello.

Legacy in Venezuelan Baseball

Hermoso played 11 seasons in Venezuelan professional baseball. He suited up for teams like the Tiburones de La Guaira through the 1976-77 season.

He made a real mark in Venezuela. At retirement, he was the 16th player to reach 500 hits in the country’s pro baseball history.

The Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame honored him in 2015. They recognized his impact as both a player and mentor.

“We deeply regret the departure of Remigio Hermoso, who dedicated his life not only to the practice of baseball but to its teaching,” said Giussepe Palmisano, president of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Palmisano pointed out that Hermoso was always willing to train future generations of players.

Coaching and Mentoring

After he retired as a player, Hermoso set up baseball schools all across Venezuela. He wanted to help young talent grow and give aspiring players a real shot at training.

He coached several pro teams in Venezuela, too. Sometimes, he even took on national team duties, like working with Venezuela’s 1983 Pan-Am Games squad that played in Caracas.

His coaching philosophy focused on the basics and building up players from the ground up. Folks in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League noticed how he worked with both pro teams and national squads, always willing to get hands-on.

Hermoso didn’t just stick to the usual coaching roles. He also served as a strategist for Venezuela’s military academy, which says a lot about his tactical baseball mind and his bigger impact on Venezuelan sports.

Later Years and Passing

Even in his later years, Hermoso stayed active in Venezuelan baseball. He kept close ties with pro teams and youth programs all over the country.

He never stopped caring about baseball education. Players and colleagues remembered him for always passing on his knowledge to the next generation.

Angel “Remy” Hermoso died on August 21, 2020, in his hometown of Puerto Cabello. He was 72.

His passing really hit the Venezuelan baseball community hard. People recognized his legacy as both a Major League player and a lifelong supporter of Venezuelan baseball.

Impact and Remembering Remy Hermoso

Remy Hermoso made his mark on baseball by teaching young players and helping Venezuelan baseball grow. His influence reached far past his playing days, and his country’s baseball hall of fame recognized him for it.

Influence on Future Generations

After his playing career, Hermoso spent most of his time developing baseball talent in Venezuela. He ran baseball schools that trained young players in the basics and proper technique.

He also coached national teams, including the 1983 Venezuelan squad that played in the Pan-Am Games in Caracas. That role put his expertise on display at the top level.

“He dedicated his life not only to the practice of baseball but to its teaching,” said Giussepe Palmisano, president of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Palmisano really admired how Hermoso always stepped up to train the next wave of players.

Hermoso took on a strategist role at Venezuela’s military academy as well. That job let him show off his tactical smarts and knack for teaching strategy.

His focus on player development shaped Venezuelan baseball for decades after he retired. Plenty of young players learned from him during those early, crucial years.

Recognition and Tributes

Hermoso got formal recognition for everything he did when they inducted him into the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015. That honor celebrated both his playing career and his work with younger talent.

When he retired, Hermoso had become the 16th player to notch 500 hits in Venezuelan professional baseball history. That’s a pretty big deal and shows just how steady he was in the winter leagues.

After he passed away on August 21, 2020, at age 72 in Puerto Cabello, tributes poured in from baseball officials across Venezuela. The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League put out statements to honor his memory and everything he gave to the sport.

Personal Life and Character

Angel Remigio Hermoso was born on October 1, 1947, in Carabobo, Venezuela. He grew up as the only boy among seven children.

His full name really speaks to his Venezuelan roots, but most people just called him Remy.

Throughout his career, Hermoso kept bouncing back, especially during his rough patch with the Montreal Expos. He clashed with management and even got suspended in 1971, but he stuck with the sport anyway.

You could see his character when he faced a career-threatening injury in 1974. Don Baylor slid hard and tore up the ligaments in Hermoso’s knee, but Hermoso didn’t point fingers, saying, “Baylor is fast and I could do nothing but take it.”