"It was incredible to see different sights and spend time with so many youngsters this last year. It was a delight to teach the next generation about what it takes to close games at a high level, and share lots of tips on how to stay sharp mentally and with the mechanics. I'm grateful the Sharks management gave me this wonderful opportunity."
"That being said, I feel like this is the right time to settle down and move back to the US and begin the next phase of my life. My family is happy to have me back. I'm not sure what the future holds. I could possibly return in the BBA in some administrative or coaching level. But for now I'm undecided. I want to take a few years off and let the decision come to me."
Thus at the conclusion of the 2051 Landis Memorial Championship, Huerta announced his retirement from both the BBA and GBC. Jackrabbits ownership has always felt a deep closeness to the great reliever, and they immediately announced that the #16 of Huerta would be the first jersey number retired in Edmonton history.
"I wasn't too emotional when I announced my retirement, but when Edmonton owner Jim Leonard called me and told me he'd soon be retiring my jersey, then it really hit me. Edmonton drafted me when I was just a lanky naive 17-year old. The coaches showed me how to be a pro and improve my pitches, and made it possible to have a great BBA career. I'm very blessed that I also could be a part of all three of Edmonton's championship teams. So many memories."
Indeed, the Dominican Republic-born Huerta played a big part in Edmonton's three championships, saving 66 games in those 2038, 2041 and 2045 regular seasons. Huerta's best performance though came in 2040, when he posted a very remarkable stat line. As a stopper or super-reliever of sorts, he earned a 20-4 record with 27 saves in 82 appearances, 162 innings, with a 2.28 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 208 ERA+.
"You may never see a win-save combination like that in again in BBA history," remarked BBA expert analyst Lem Piker Sr. "It was the perfect combination of a reliever in his prime ready for such a massive workload, and a manager in Chris Robillard who had the guts to trust him so much. It was unreal, and it was a shame he wasn't awarded the Reliever of the Year award in 2040."
In 2040, the Reliever of the Year award went to current BBA Hall of Famer Shawn Huber. Huber's 10 wins and 14 saves were inferior to Huerta's. But critics speculate the BBA voters highly regarded Huber's popularity and pedigree and gave him the nod over Huerta. Huber also played in a bigger market for the 2040 championship Las Vegas Hustlers, which may have affected the final voting.
As a minor consolation, Huerta did earn a Yogi Zimmer Diamond Glove award at pitcher in 2040. He also made four BBA all star teams - in 2038, 2040, 2042 and 2043 - all with Edmonton. In 2046, he was traded to the Brooklyn Robins, where he spent 3 seasons and was still very productive, saving 78 games. At 32, he became a free agent for the first time and signed with Valencia. Over the next two seasons with the Stars, he served as a setup man and notched 13 holds. At 35, he then went overseas for the aforementioned 2051 season with the Sharks.
"I think it's a safe assumption that Jorge will be a part of our upcoming Edmonton Hall of Fame festivities in a few years," said Jackrabbits GM Bauer. "Maybe someday he might make the BBA Hall of Fame as well. But man, we saw his retirement announcement and then decided to retire his #16 ourselves ASAP. We'll be looking for more relievers that pitch and perform like Huerta during this offseason. But special relievers like him don't grow on trees."
