The American Pete Koegel, one of the most powerful sluggers who has played in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP), died in his country last weekend at the age of 75.
The catcher and starter played two seasons in Creole baseball. In the 1973-1974 season, at the age of 26, he had a sensational performance with the Leones del Caracas, batting for a .350 average, product of 84 hits in 240 shifts in 61 games. Koegel, among his hits, hit 18 home runs, 19 doubles, two triples, scored 49 runs and drove in 65 to finish as líder promoter in the contest.
According to the historian Javier González, in his account on the social network Twitter @javiergon56, he points out the following: “On December 7, 1973: The American Pete Koegel hits the first of his 4 grand slams in the season and Leones del Caracas defeat Tiburones de La Guaira at the University Stadium”.
Koegel together with Tom Grieve formed an explosive couple in the same season with Caracas. Grieve had a .341 batting average with 9 homers and 60 RBIs. That is to say, this duo drove in 125 scores for the Lions in the championship.
Koegel maintained the mark of 65 RBIs in the LVBP until Jesús Guzmán from Cuman, also with Caracas, drove in 67 in 2008-2009. He is the import with the most chartered in a season.
He also played in the 74-75 campaign with the Cardenales de Lara, a team with which he left an average of .256 with five home runs. He also acted in other Caribbean Leagues such as Puerto Rico, where he shone with Indios de Mayagüez.
