Rosalea Suarez is changing her favorite player.
It was Andres Galarraga, who happens to hold the record for home runs in a season by a Venezuelan born player at 47. Rosalea loved Galarrga. They were born on the same day, June 18, 1961.
The top 10 list of home runs in a season by Venezuelan natives includes Galarraga, who belted home runs for the Montreal Expos and Colorado Rockies, is on the list three times. He hit 47 in 1996. Collected 44 in 1998. He belted 41 in 1997. Eugenio Suarez, Rosalea's passed that 1997 total with 42 this season.
Rosalea may have to switch allegiance, although her son, as a five year old, was also a fan.
"We watch a lot of baseball in Venezuela," Suarez said. "My father was a big baseball fan. We watched baseball. We play baseball a lot. Everytime we saw Galarraga we were proud of him for being from Venezuela."
So it is not just for his mother's approval. It is for the honor of reaching the same production of his native country's hero.
"Whenever you mention Galarraga in Venezuela, everyone knows who you are talking about," Suarez said. "It is an honor to be on that list with him."
Suarez would like to reach or eclipse the 47 home run total and has 19 games in which to do so.
"I try not to think about that," Suarez said. "I go outside to do my best. If the home runs come then thank God."
His next home run will tie him with Tony Armas, who hit 43 home runs for the Boston Red Sox in 1984. If he hits two more he will be in a tie for second place with, Richard Hildalgo of Houston in 2000 and Miguel Cabrera 44 in 2012 and 2013 for Detroit. (Suarez was his teammate).
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