Ángel Macías, Ambidextrous Little League Legend of 1957, Passes Away at 80

Ángel Macías, a remarkable ambidextrous pitcher from Mexico who threw a perfect game at age 12 to lead his Monterrey team to victory in the 1957 Little League World Series—a milestone never since equaled—passed away on July 27 in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. He was 80 years old.

His death was confirmed by the International Little League organization.

At just 12, Macías played for a Monterrey team sponsored by a local factory and quickly became the tournament’s standout player. Known for pitching with both arms and batting as a switch hitter, he uniquely fielded first base left-handed while handling all other infield and outfield positions right-handed.

During the six-inning games leading up to the World Series—covering district, state, and regional qualifying rounds—Macías dominated on the mound, allowing only one hit in two separate games and striking out 15 batters in another.

Prior to a regional game in Louisville, Kentucky, local media described him as “a 12-year-old Mexican baseball player named Ángel who is a nightmare for his opponents.” Some even joked that Ángel Macías of Monterrey must be enchanted, given his extraordinary skills.

His coach, César Faz, praised him as “a very talented pitcher and the best player on our team, truly the best we have at every position.”