Salomé Barojas – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Salomé Barojas made his mark in baseball history as one of the first Mexican relief pitchers to really shake things up in Major League Baseball during the 1980s.

He was born in Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico, on June 16, 1957. Chicago White Sox manager Tony LaRussa spotted him during the 1981 players’ strike, back when Barojas was pitching for the Mexico City Diablos Rojos.

Barojas spent seven seasons in the major leagues from 1982 to 1988. He finished with an 18-21 record and a 3.95 ERA while pitching for the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia Phillies.

His best year came in 1982. He saved 21 games for the White Sox and helped the team reach the American League Championship Series the next year.

Barojas didn’t stick around MLB for long, but he made his biggest impact in Mexican professional baseball. There, he became one of the country’s most successful closers.

His journey from the Mexican League to the majors and back again shows the story of a talented pitcher who bridged two baseball worlds. He left a real mark on both sides of the border.

Overview of Salomé Barojas’ Baseball Career

Salomé Barojas Romero put together a solid seven-year Major League Baseball career from 1982 to 1988. He mainly worked as a relief pitcher for three American League teams.

His path from the Mexican League to the majors really showed off his skills as both a closer and a flexible reliever across different teams.

Major League Baseball Debut and Tenure

Salomé Barojas made his Major League Baseball debut on April 11, 1982, with the Chicago White Sox at just 24 years old.

Tony LaRussa, the White Sox manager, found Barojas pitching in the Mexican League during the 1981 MLB strike.

Career Statistics:

• Games Played: 179
• Win-Loss Record: 18-21
• Saves: 35
• ERA: 3.95

Barojas made a quick impact as a rookie. He went 6-6 with 21 saves and a 3.54 ERA in 61 games for Chicago in 1982.

His standout year followed in 1983. He helped the White Sox reach the playoffs. Barojas led the team with a 2.47 ERA and notched 12 saves while sharing closing duties with Dennis Lamp.

Key Teams and Roles

Barojas played for three Major League teams during his career. He adapted to different roles along the way.

The Chicago White Sox mostly used him as their closer from 1982 to 1984.

Team Breakdown:

• Chicago White Sox (1982-1984): Primary closer role
• Seattle Mariners (1984-1985): Starter and reliever
• Philadelphia Phillies (1988): Relief pitcher

His best years came with Chicago, where he saved 33 games over three seasons. The White Sox traded him to the Seattle Mariners in 1984, along with Gene Nelson and Jerry Don Gleaton.

Seattle tried him out in a new role, often as a starter. He went 6-5 with a 3.97 ERA in part of 1984 with the Mariners.

His 1985 season didn’t go well. He struggled with a 5.98 ERA and lost all five of his decisions.

Career Timeline and Retirement

Barojas’ Major League career lasted seven seasons, but there were some gaps between his last appearances.

After his rough 1985 season with Seattle, he left and went back to Mexican baseball.

Career Timeline:

• 1982-1984: Chicago White Sox (primary MLB years)
• 1984-1985: Seattle Mariners
• 1986-1987: Mexico City Red Devils
• 1988: Brief return with Philadelphia Phillies (6 games)

He made a short comeback with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1988. Barojas pitched in just six games before wrapping up his MLB career on September 26, 1988.

That ended his time in the majors, but he kept playing in Mexico.

Barojas returned to the Mexico City Red Devils both between his MLB stints and after retiring from the majors. He found a lot of success back home, leading the Mexican League in saves more than once.

He got inducted into the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002. It’s a pretty big honor.

Major League Highlights and Achievements

Salomé Barojas put together an 18-21 record with 35 saves and a 3.95 ERA over seven seasons in the majors.

His best years came with the Chicago White Sox. He helped the team win the American League West title in 1983.

Chicago White Sox and Postseason Impact

Tony LaRussa spotted Barojas during the 1981 MLB strike while the pitcher was throwing for the Mexico City Diablos Rojos.

LaRussa got the Chicago White Sox to sign Barojas and put him straight into the closer role.

In his 1982 rookie season, Barojas racked up 21 saves with a 3.54 ERA. He pitched 106⅔ innings in 61 games, finishing 6th in the American League in saves.

His best year was 1983. Barojas led the AL West champion White Sox with a 2.47 ERA, which was 70% better than league average (a 170 ERA+). He went 3-3 with 12 saves, sharing the closer job with Dennis Lamp.

The 1983 season was his only playoff appearance. He struggled in the American League Championship Series, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits in just one inning.

Seattle Mariners Years

Barojas started 1984 slow in Chicago, with a 4.58 ERA in his first games. The White Sox traded him to the Seattle Mariners for Gene Nelson and Jerry Don Gleaton.

Seattle used Barojas mainly as a starter. That role change worked out at first. He went 6-5 with a 3.97 ERA for the Mariners, bouncing back a bit.

The 1985 season was rough for Barojas in Seattle. He lost all five decisions and posted a 5.98 ERA.

The Mariners released him after the season, and that pretty much ended his regular major league career.

Philadelphia Phillies Stint

After two years back in the Mexican League, Barojas made a short MLB comeback in 1988.

The Philadelphia Phillies picked him up for what would be his last shot in the majors.

Barojas appeared in just 6 games for the Phillies that season. That short stint wrapped up his seven-year MLB career, which ran from 1982 to 1988.

He only got that final chance after strong seasons with the Mexico City Red Devils, where he’d built himself back up as one of Mexico’s top closers.

Statistical Performance in MLB

Salomé Barojas finished his career with 18 wins, 21 losses, and a 3.95 ERA in 179 games from 1982 to 1988.

He was at his best with the Chicago White Sox, where he mostly pitched relief and earned 35 saves.

Pitching Metrics and Effectiveness

Barojas put up his best numbers with the White Sox from 1982 to 1984. His 1983 season was the high point, with a 2.47 ERA over 87.1 innings.

The Mexican right-hander struck out 177 batters in his five-year MLB run. He walked 179, so his strikeout-to-walk ratio sat just below one.

His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) averaged 1.418.

Career Pitching Statistics:

• ERA: 3.95
• Wins: 18
• Losses: 21
• Saves: 35
• Strikeouts: 177
• Innings Pitched: 390.0

His FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) was 4.38. That suggests he performed a bit below league average when you strip away the defense and luck.

Notable Games and Seasons

Barojas had his breakthrough year in 1982. He pitched in 61 games for the White Sox, recorded 21 saves, and posted a 3.54 ERA.

His 1983 season was his very best. Barojas kept a 2.47 ERA in 52 appearances and picked up 12 saves for Chicago.

In 1984, Barojas split the season between the White Sox and Mariners. He combined for 9 wins, 7 losses, and a 4.14 ERA in 43 games.

His last major league game happened on September 26, 1988, against the New York Mets as a Phillie. He pitched 1.2 innings, gave up one hit, and didn’t allow any earned runs.

Batting and Fielding Contributions

Barojas barely got to bat during his career, which isn’t surprising for a reliever in the 1980s.

His fielding stats focus on his pitching duties. He committed 7 balks and 14 wild pitches.

Barojas showed solid defensive ability on the mound. He faced 1,667 batters and didn’t make fielding mistakes that really hurt his stats.

He worked as a relief specialist, so his main job was pitching, not hitting. That matched what teams expected from bullpen arms in that era.

Mexican League and International Impact

Salomé Barojas got his start in the Mexican League before making it to Major League Baseball.

His time in Mexico’s pro baseball system showed off the kind of steady, excellent pitching that would define his whole career.

Early Years in the Mexican League

Barojas kicked off his pro career at 19 with the Cordoba Coffee Dealers in 1976. He showed promise right away, going 3-1 with a 1.88 ERA in 15 games. His ERA even beat out some established Mexican stars like Vicente Romo.

He quickly became a reliable arm. In 1977, he put up a 5-4 record with 6 saves and a 2.00 ERA over 126 innings in 41 games. He pitched as both a long reliever and a spot starter.

Barojas kept up that consistency through 1978 and 1979. He went 8-3 with a 2.45 ERA in 1978.

In 1979, he moved into a swingman role, making 16 starts and 25 relief appearances for a 7-6 record and 2.61 ERA.

By 1980, Barojas mostly started games. Pitching for the Reynosa Broncos, he finished 12-9 with a save and a 2.56 ERA.

That set him up for a breakout 1981 season.

Accomplishments and Records

Barojas hit a new level in 1981 with the Mexico City Red Devils. He took over as the team’s closer and delivered great results.

He finished 12-3 with 13 saves and a 3.03 ERA, which got him a lot of attention.

He tied Ralph García for the Mexican League lead in winning percentage that year. Tony LaRussa noticed him during the 1981 MLB strike.

After his MLB days ended, Barojas went back to the Mexican League and dominated. In 1987, he led the league in saves with 15 and went 13-4 with a 3.10 ERA. He topped the saves list again in 1988 with 17.

His 1989 season was especially strong. Barojas finished third in ERA at 2.78 and led the league with 24 saves. He repeated this in 1990, posting 23 saves and a 1.23 ERA.

His Mexican League career stats are pretty impressive. Barojas went 115-58 with 152 saves and a 2.89 ERA in 543 games.

His .665 winning percentage ranks second all-time for pitchers with over 1,000 innings.

Return to Mexico After MLB

After that short 1988 run with Philadelphia, Barojas headed back to the Mexico City Red Devils. He stayed with the club through 1996. Honestly, his impact was obvious right away and lasted for years.

Even in his 30s, Barojas kept pitching at a high level. In 1991, when he was about 33 or 34, he put up a 10-1 record with 25 saves and a 2.44 ERA. He led the league in winning percentage for the second time in his career.

Barojas didn’t just shine in the regular season. He starred in winter league play too. In 1989-1990, he led the Mexican Pacific League with 17 saves.

Over 17 years in winter ball, he went 51-39 with 53 saves and a 2.68 ERA. That’s a lot of games, and he just kept delivering.

He gave back after his playing days ended. Barojas worked as a pitching coach for the Red Devils and Vaqueros Laguna. In 2002, he joined the Salon de la Fama, which really locked in his legacy in Mexican baseball.

Recognition, Honors, and Legacy

People in Mexican baseball recognized Salomé Barojas for his huge contributions when he made the Hall of Fame in 2002. His stats in both MLB and the Mexican League put him among Mexico’s all-time best relief pitchers.

Hall of Fame Induction

The Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Salomé Barojas in 2002, shining a light on his career as one of the country’s top relievers. Over 17 seasons in the Mexican League, he racked up a 115-58 record with a 2.89 ERA.

His Hall of Fame selection pointed out his success in both the Mexican League and MLB. Barojas stands out as one of the rare Mexican players who found real success in the majors and still excelled at home.

The ceremony marked his role in connecting Mexican and American baseball during the 1980s. His journey from the Diablos Rojos to MLB teams really showed what Mexican baseball talent could do.

All-Time Teams and Awards

Barojas sits among the Mexican Pacific League’s all-time leaders in several categories. With 53 career saves, he ranks fourth all-time, and his 2.68 ERA puts him at number 14.

He led the Mexican Pacific League with 17 saves in 1989-90 while playing for Mazatlan. That winter league record of 51-39 made him one of the most trusted relievers in Mexican baseball.

Sites like Baseball Reference track his Major League numbers too. In his 1982 rookie year, he saved 21 games for the Chicago White Sox. His MLB totals—18 wins, 21 losses, and a 3.95 ERA—show he held his own over six seasons.

Influence on Mexican Baseball

Barojas proved that Mexican League players could hang with the best in pro baseball. Tony LaRussa spotted him during the 1981 players’ strike, and that discovery opened up MLB chances for other Mexican players too.

When he came back to the Diablos Rojos, he kept showing how strong Mexican baseball could be. Between 1987 and 1992, he put up a 51-18 record and 123 saves, making it clear the league was no joke.

The Mexican League got a boost from his experience and time in the majors. He helped raise the league’s profile internationally, just by moving between both worlds so smoothly.

Life After Baseball and Net Worth Information

After leaving Major League Baseball in 1988, Salomé Barojas Romero stayed connected to the game but mostly lived out of the spotlight. His estimated net worth sits at $5 million, thanks to his successful playing career and what he’s done since retiring.

Post-Retirement Career and Contributions

After his last MLB game with the Phillies in 1988, Salomé Barojas stepped away from pro baseball. He didn’t follow the usual route of coaching or broadcasting like so many ex-players.

His six years in MLB gave him a solid financial base. He played for the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia Phillies during the 1980s, earning salaries from each stop.

Career Highlights:

• 21 saves with the Chicago White Sox in 1982
• 33 total saves in his first two MLB seasons
• Played in the 1983 American League Championship Series

Once he left pro sports, Barojas focused on other interests. Being a Mexican player who made it in American baseball gave him a unique perspective on what it takes to cross cultures in athletics.

He kept close ties to Mexico after his playing days. His story still inspires a lot of young Mexican baseball players who hope to reach the majors.

Community Engagement and Personal Life

Personal Information:

• Born: June 16, 1957, in Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico
• Current Age: 68 years old (as of 2025)
• Playing Position: Relief Pitcher

Since retiring, Salomé Barojas has kept his personal life pretty private. He still has connections in his hometown of Córdoba, Veracruz, where he first made his mark in baseball.

His journey from Mexico to MLB means a lot to people in his community. Young athletes in Veracruz see his path as proof that Mexican players can really make it in American baseball.

Other Mexican MLB players have found success since, but Barojas’s story carries extra weight. He paved the way back in the 1980s, making things a little easier for those who came after.

Chicago White Sox manager Tony LaRussa discovered Barojas during the 1981 baseball strike. That moment changed his life, and honestly, it says a lot about how far baseball scouting can reach.

Legacy for Future Generations

Salomé Barojas Romero really shows what smart career moves and careful planning after retirement can do. He managed to build an estimated $5 million net worth, which says a lot about the lasting benefits of a solid MLB career.

But there’s more to his story than just numbers. As a Mexican player who made it big in MLB during the 1980s, he opened doors for the next wave of talent.

Financial Impact:

• Estimated net worth: $5 million
• Earnings from 6 MLB seasons (1982-1988)
• Revenue from three major league teams

Barojas pitched during a time when MLB teams started paying more attention to international players. His journey inspires plenty of young Mexican athletes who dream about making it to the big leagues.

MLB teams began to scout internationally in earnest during his era, and Barojas played a part in that shift. Scouts found him during the 1981 strike, which just goes to show that sometimes, opportunity pops up when you least expect it.

Baseball historians still remember his name, especially those interested in how the sport spread beyond the U.S. Coming from Córdoba, Mexico, and making it all the way to the majors, his story still stands out.