September 11, 1998
Bullfight World...
by Lyn Sherwood
Antonio Urrutia probably wishes that the Sept. 6 corrida de toros in Plaza Monumental de Tijuana would just go away. He'd like to take a Mulligan, call King's X, or possibly travel by time machine back to when he first agreed to compete with Enrique Garza, in mano-a-mano competition, and explain to the empresa that he couldn't perform, because he had planned to sort his sock drawer that day.
Never has this reporter seen a torero so completely humiliated as was Urrutia. Shoot it, mount it, hang it on the wall, Garza gave Urrutia a total bath, and then did the Mexican Hat Dance upon the matador's less-than-impressive career.
A herd of five bulls from the Armillita Brothers, and one of Vista Hermosa provided plenty of opportunities for each matador. But, Urrutia failed to heed the call. He hardly even looked for it. Even sobresaliente Paco Aviña had a better day, with a decent set of Gaoneras. The animals were generally well presented, and one was granted a turn of the ring, which, coincidentally, was the extent of Urrutia's accolades for the day.
The afternoon opened with the 435-kilo Toluquito, a small, but exceptionally brave and noble black, to which Urrutia gave a confusing hodgepodge of cape lances. After one, strong pic, the matador placed ban-derillas in acceptable fashion. But, Urrutia's faena was pure, tremendistic garbage that was a waste of an excellent opportunity. He did place a fine sword, but it wasn't enough to win an ear. The fact that the crowd rejected the performance was an indication that, possibly, the Tijuana fans are maturing as aficionados. Vuelta.
With his second bull from Vista Hermosa, Urrutia ignored still another wonderful opportunity. The 485-kilo Gallinito was a TORO TORO, a serious animal that would have anxiously surrendered its ears, had the matador invested even a minimum effort. Instead, Urrutia seemed totally intimidated by the solid toro, giving it still another razzle dazzle faena that was nothing less than disgraceful. Pitos.
By the time that the fifth bull entered the ring, Urrutia had apparently decided to get serious. But, he allowed the animal to be over-piced, and it was out of gas in the third act. The matador's preliminary efforts seemed honest, but he quickly resorted to still another demonstration of border tremendismo. More, well-deserved pitos.
Enrique Garza, on the other hand, strolled through the afternoon, as if he were on his way to pick up his girl friend for a date. He was never in trouble, and handled his animals in a professional, very classy manner.
His first bull was a stylish manso, a far less-than-brave animal that, nevertheless, allowed its matador to place sticks very well, and to perform a faena that correctly accommodated the toro's deficiencies. Applause.
His second bull, Locutor, with 470 kilos, allowed Garza to shine with cape, ban-derillas and sword, winning a pair of well-deserved ears, as well as a vuelta for the fine animal, while Urrutia glared at Garza from behind the barrera.
With his third animal, Garza apparently took pity on Urrutia and invited him to exchange banderillas placements. But, Urrutia was so hesitant and indecisive, that Garza —on two occasions— literally took away the bull, and placed the sticks with ease.
"That's the way it's supposed to be done!" he seemed to be saying to Antonio. Urrutia was so thoroughly intimidated, and so soundly overwhelmed, he couldn't do anything right. The crowd heaped verbal abuse on Urrutia, while Garza won still another turn of the ring.
In all, it was a decent afternoon, one that will not be long remembered by the aficionados, but which will certainly haunt Antonio Urrutia's nightmares for a long time to come.
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