White Sox ace Esteban Loaiza received a pat on the back from above Friday.
He was a special guest of Mexican President Vicente Fox at the Los Pinos presidential compound in Mexico City, where Fox lauded Loaiza’s record last year and compared him to Fernando Valenzuela, a Mexican pitching legend for his achievements with the Dodgers in the 1980s.
Fox said millions of Loaiza’s fellow Mexicans followed his 21-9 season in 2003 and added that the Tijuana native is recognized “as one of the great Mexican pitchers of all times.”
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The Mexican president also promised to come to Chicago next season to see Loaiza pitch at U.S. Cellular Field. Fox previously has said he planned a trip to Chicago and Detroit later this year.
“You know you have the heart and the support of all of Mexico and all Mexicans,” Fox said.