Biography

Alejo Peralta

Alejo Peralta was the founder and owner of the Mexico City Tigres. He also served as Baseball Commissioner of the professional Mexican Baseball League. Born in Puebla, Peralta studied as a student in mechanical and electrical engineering at National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), where, in 1956, he became general director. He played baseball in his youth and years later would help sponsor amateur teams in Mexico. In 1955, Peralta created the Mexico City Tigres. With success right away winning titles in 1955 and 1960, and an additional championships in 1965 and 1966, Peralta earned the title “King of Baseball”. Industrialist Peralta also founded the Alejo Peralta Baseball Academy in Pasteje, north of Mexico City, on land which he owned in 1983. His passion was in training young baseball prospects at the Academy to play in the Mexican Baseball League. Peralta was selected as Mexican Baseball Commissioner in 1979, a post he relished for several years. In 1983, Peralta was inducted into the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame in Monterrey.

On May 6, 1987, Peter O’Malley and his wife Annette joined Peralta at a Mexican League game between the Campeche Pirates and Mexico City Tigres and Peter received a standing ovation from the crowd when introduced. The next night, Peter threw the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Cuba-Mexico game of the Olympic Baseball Festival Mexicano at Social Security Park. Former Dodger Coach Preston Gomez was the catcher. Peralta and Peter developed a friendship. On the trip, O’Malley visited Peralta’s Academy as his guest, as they arrived via helicopter from Peralta’s residence. Peralta, in turn, made trips to Dodgertown, Vero Beach, Florida, spring training site of the Dodgers, hosted by Peter.

January 21, 1988, Mexico City Tigres founder and President Alejo Peralta stands as he is introduced at a press conference in Mexico City. Peter O’Malley, Dodger President is seated on the right and Fernando Valenzuela, star pitcher of the Dodgers and hero in Mexico is seated two to the right of O’Malley. The Tigres and San Luis Potosi Tuneros of the Mexican Baseball League announced a long-term working agreement with the Dodgers. The Dodgers would provide three players to both teams and were also involved in coaching instruction. Next to O’Malley is Juan Abusaid, owner of Mexican League Union Laguna, then Valenzuela and Pedro Treto Cisneros, Baseball Commissioner in Mexico.

January 21, 1988, a Dodger contingent was in Mexico to announce a long-term working agreement with the professional Mexico City Tigres and San Luis Potosi Tuneros of the Mexican Baseball League at a press conference. The Dodgers provided three players to both teams and were also involved with coaching instruction. (L-R): unknown; Juan Abusaid, owner of the Mexican League Union Laguna team; Fred Claire, Dodger Executive Vice President and G.M.; Fernando Valenzuela, Dodger pitcher; Peter O’Malley, Dodger President; Jaime Jarrin, Dodger Spanish-language broadcaster; Alejo Peralta, founder and owner of the Mexico City Tigres of the Mexican Baseball League.

Opening Ceremony and inaugural game of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taiwan, March 17, 1990. (L-R): Satoru Nakayama, President, Chunichi Dragons, Japan; Alejo Peralta, founder and owner of the Mexico City Tigres; Jong Nak Kim, President, Baseball Federation of Asia/Korea; Woong Hee Lee, Commissioner of Baseball, South Korea; Toru Shoriki, Chairman, *Yomiuri Shimbun* and owner of Tokyo Yomiuri Giants; Dodger President Peter O’Malley; and P.P. Tang, Taiwan Baseball Commissioner.

The Tigres and San Luis Potosi Tuneros of the Mexican Baseball League announced a long-term working agreement with the Dodgers on January 21, 1988 and Peralta and Peter participated in the Mexico City press conference. On March 17, 1990, Peralta was in Taipei, Taiwan with Peter and other international baseball leaders to celebrate the inaugural season and Opening Day festivities of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. Peter attended March 25, 1996 dedication ceremonies for the Alejo Peralta Mexican Baseball Academy in El Carmen, 20 minutes from Monterrey. He said, “I’m very impressed with the facility (the brainchild of Peralta, Mexico City Diablos Rojos President Roberto Mansur and Mexican League President Petro Treto Cisneros). I am happy the academy bears the name of my good friend Alejo Peralta (the former Mexican League Commissioner and owner of the Mexico City Tigres).” Peralta, 80, who passed on April 8, 1997, will long be appreciated for his major contributions to advancing baseball in Mexico.