Daniel Canónico

Daniel Canónico (February 3, 1916 – August 20, 1975) was a Venezuelan baseball right handed pitcher. His friends and fans affectionately called him Chino, a moniker that he proudly used throughout his life.

Daniel Canónico is best known as the man who anchored the pitching staff for the Venezuela national baseball team which captured the Baseball World Cup in 1941. A short, stocky sort of pitcher with a wicked curveball, Canónico became an instant celebrity in his country, as he was undefeated through five games in the tournament, including the series-tying and deciding games, both against host country Cuba, while placing Venezuela for the very first time among the world baseball elite. But plagued by shoulder and elbow ailments for most of his career, he was solid yet unspectacular over almost two decades in Venezuelan baseball. After retiring, he became a successful manager and coach in amateur baseball.