Diomedes Olivo Essentials

Positions:
Bats: L Throws: L
Height: 73 Weight: 195
Born: Wednesday, January 22, 1919 in Guayubin, Monte Cristi D.R.
Died: 2 15 1977 in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional D.R.
Debut: 9/5/1960
Last Game: 6/12/1963
Full Name: Diomedes Antonio Olivo

Diomedes Olivo, pitcher for the 1960 and 1962 Pirates. He is supposedly the second oldest rookie ever to Satchel Paige, but just like Paige, questions surround his actual age and he may have been much older than the 41 years he claimed when he made his MLB debut with the 1960 Pirates. He originally signed with the Reds in 1955. Olivo was a top pitcher in the Dominican Republic during his day, who didn’t want to play in the majors until later in life. Olivo had a 2.88 ERA in 150 innings at Triple-A in 1960, earning a late season call-up and four relief appearances for the Pirates. He spent the entire 1961 season in Triple-A and posted a 2.01 ERA in 130 innings, earning a spot on the Pirates 1962 Opening Day roster. He would pitch 62 times for Pittsburgh that year, finishing with seven saves and a 5-1, 2.70 record in 84.1 innings.. Following the season, the Pirates would trade him, along with Dick Groat to the Cardinals for Julio Gotay and Don Cardwell. He would go 0-5, 5.40 in 19 games and never pitch in the majors again. His brother Chi-Chi Olivo and his son Gil Rondon both played in the majors.