Julio Navarro

Who is Julio Navarro?

Julio Navarro Ventura is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He played for the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, and Atlanta Braves.

The 5'11", 190 lb. right-hander with the nickname "Whiplash" was acquired by the Angels from the San Francisco Giants organization on September 2, 1962. Navarro made his major league debut in relief on September 3, 1962 against the New York Yankees in game 2 of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. He pitched three innings and gave up two earned runs in the 6–5 Angels victory. He struck out one batter, Roger Maris. He won his first major league game the very next day with 1.1 scoreless innings against New York. He retired Bobby Richardson to end the 8th, L.A. scored in the top of the 9th, and then he got Roger Maris, Elston Howard, and Johnny Blanchard to close out the game. He pitched seven more games that month, ending with a 4.70 ERA.

The next season, 1963, was Navarro's best statistically. He teamed with 40-year-old Art Fowler to give the Angels a pair of dependable closers. Navarro finished in the American League top ten for games pitched, saves, and games finished. He was 4–5 with an ERA of 2.89.