Júlio Machado

Julio Segundo Machado Rondón (born December 1, 1965) is a Venezuelan former Major League Baseball right‑handed relief pitcher who made a brief but memorable impact in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Born in San Carlos del Zulia, he began his professional career after being signed by the New York Mets and debuted on September 7 1989, showing a fastball with solid velocity and a repertoire that included a better‑than‑average curveball and slider. During the 1990 season he split time between the Mets and their Triple‑A affiliate, the Tidewater team, where he recorded eight saves before being recalled in July. A mid‑season trade sent Machado and pitcher Kevin Brown to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for catcher Charlie O’Brien and a minor‑league prospect, and he finished the 1990‑91 campaign with Milwaukee, compiling a 7–5 win–loss record, a 3.12 ERA, 151 strikeouts, and 147 innings pitched. His promising trajectory was abruptly halted when, in December 1991, he was involved in a fatal shooting incident in Venezuela that led to charges of involuntary murder. Although he claimed self‑defence, Machado was detained, convicted in 1996 and sentenced to twelve years, serving roughly four years before his release in 2000. After regaining his freedom he returned to baseball in his native country, participating in winter leagues as both a player and a coach, helping to develop younger talent. Machado’s story is often cited as a cautionary tale of talent derailed by personal tragedy, yet it also highlights his resilience and continued contribution to Venezuelan baseball after his incarceration.