NELSON BARRERA breaks Mexico's career home run record

(MEXICO CITY) - Player-manager Nelson Barrera of Oaxaca has tied the career home run record for the Mexican Baseball League, belting home run No. 453 in a 6-4 loss to Cordoba. <br><br>The first-inning

Tuesday, May 8th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(MEXICO CITY) - Player-manager Nelson Barrera of Oaxaca has tied the career home run record for the Mexican Baseball League, belting home run No. 453 in a 6-4 loss to Cordoba.

The first-inning home run Sunday by ``The Admiral,'' 43, tied a record left by Hector ``Superman'' Espino, who retired in 1984 and who died in 1997.

Barrera is in his 25th season in the Mexican league.

The pressure of the record apparently weighed on Barrera, who had gone without a home run since April 18 before hitting a 3-2 pitch off of Manuel Rodriguez in the first inning of Sunday's game.

He admitted to nervousness as a light rain moved in, threatening to force umpires to cancel the game and told reporters on Monday that it was ``the hardest home run of my career.''

``I'm not the best,'' Barrera said after the game. ``Even passing him, I would be equal to the best or a little below the best.''