Jesus “Chivita” LezamaConsidered by many to be “the biggest fan” in the world Caracas lions of the LVBP died turns 104 this Thursday, May 11, and his death has been mourned by millions of fans. The long-haired institution itself sent a heartfelt message through its social networks in honor of who was a symbol of the capital team. Find out below who this character was and why he was so popular in Venezuela.
“It is with great sadness that I inform you that ‘Chivita’ Lezama has gone with his bugle. He passed away a few minutes ago. He left in peace and surrounded by love,” were the words with which sports journalist Mari Montes announced the sad news on Twitter.
Journalist Mari Montes reported on the death of “Chivita” Lezama. Photo: @PorLaGoma/Twitter
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Who was “Chivita” Lezama?
Jesus “Chivita” Lezama was a fan of Caracas lions Practically since the club was founded in 1942. For eight decades he was present at numerous games of the long-haired cast, led the songs and always accompanied them with his characteristic bugle.
Lezama was born on February 9, 1919 in Tucupita, Delta Amacuro state. When he was little he was forced to move to Trinidad and Tobago in the lowlands due to the dictatorship of Juan Vicente Gómez. After his death they moved to Caracas.
Thus begins the emotional thread that the Caracas Lions dedicated to “Chivita” Lezama before his death. Photo: Twitter capture/@Leones_CBBC
Young Jesús became a huge baseball fan following the performance of “41 Heroes” at the World Amateur Championships that year. In 1942 he became a supporter of the newly founded association Caracas Brewerywhich changed its name to Leones del Caracas BBC two years later.
At the time, Lezama told El Diario, Magallanes’ team had a supporter in the stands who always went with a siren. Seeing nothing similar among the Caracas fans, he began coming with a bugle himself. Since then he has led the bar chants and even some fights.
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“Chivita” has been a faithful assistant to the stadium throughout its 80 seasons of existence Caracas lions, except in 1952, due to the dictatorship of Marcos Pérez Jiménez, which sent him to prison. His last great joy at the stadium was precisely winning the title in the 2022/23 LVBP season.
Lezama emphasizes that he has always refused to accept payments from the Caraquista Club, which supported him with tickets and travel expenses.
Why did they call “Chivita” Lezama the “Witch”?
Although Jesus Lezama He was Catholic and also upheld the beliefs of the Warao peoples of the Amacuro Delta, where his famous necklace came from. In fact, he repeatedly attributed the so-called curse of the sharks of La Guaira to the deities of this community, who had not been supporters of the LVBP since 1986.
“Chivita” had two inevitable companions: her bugle and necklace from the Warao peoples. Photo: The National
Chivita reported that the Leones del Caracas banned Tiburones fans from playing samba during games. In retaliation, the Haie Board of Directors banned Lezama from varsity stadium when the Lions were visiting.
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“The Warao god of the delta punished them. You won’t win anything while those managers are there. The curse I placed on them still stands, it’s still in effect. Even if you take Papa Dios as your fifth bat, you won’t win! I feel sorry for the fans who are not to blame,” Lezama said.