Camacho grew up playing baseball in his hometown of Salinas, California, first as a Little League Baseball player, then as a student at Alisal High School and Hartnell College. Camacho was drafted by major league teams three times out of Hartnell College: the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the 12th round of the June 1975 draft, the California Angels took him in the fourth round of the January 1976 draft, and the Oakland Athletics selected him in the first round of the June 1976 draft.\n', '

After signing with Oakland, Camacho played for the team\'s minor-league affiliates until he made his major-league debut in 1980. In April 1981, he was the player to be named later that completed an earlier trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates for Bob Owchinko. After making a few major-league appearances with the 1981 Pirates, he was sent to the Chicago White Sox in a multiplayer trade before the 1982 season. He spent 1982 in the minor leagues before being granted free agency. \n', '

Camacho was briefly with the Milwaukee Brewers organization before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in June 1983. In 1984, Camacho led the Indians in saves with 23. Early in the 1985 season, Camacho had arm problems. He required two surgeries - one in April and one in October - which cost him the 1985 season. He had a short stint on the disabled list due to more arm problems in 1986. Camacho attributed the injury to having not thrown the ball in a full season. He was back in the closer role in late May 1986.\n', '

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