SERIE DEL CARIBE 2019 – Panama City, Panama
PANAMA’ WINS SERIE DEL CARIBE 2019!!
Final Report – February 15, 2019
Panama’ 3 – Cuba 1
In an emotional final game on Sunday Feb. 10, before 18,000 (est.) fans in Estadio Rod Carew, the host team won its first Serie del Caribe since 1950. Panama’ broke out on top 2-0 in the bottom of the first and never gave up the lead.
Panama 3B-SS Javy Guerra was named the Series MVP.
REFLECTIONS ON SERIE DEL CARIBE 2019
Considering the short amount of time (less than two weeks) that the hosts had to prepare for Serie del Caribe, I think everything went off smoothly. Estadio Rod Carew is a great venue to watch baseball. The field itself was in great shape and it was a pleasant experience in the stadium. Sight lines were good. There was enough food, drink and sportswear, although I’m sure there would have been more selection given more time to plan for the event.
The weather was great for baseball! Temperatures ranged from 75F at night to 90F during the day. With a pleasant prevailing breeze, watching the games at the stadium was very enjoyable.
Panama City is a modern, cosmopolitan city. Banking is a huge industry and there were many large, new banks. Lots of major construction projects in the city and I read of many investment projects being initiated across the country.
The six-team system of competition worked well – every game was important and there were meaningful games on the last day of group play as well as a great final game. Two highly competitive teams made the finals and the Panama squad ended with a record of 4-1 and were deserving of the championship. Most fans that I spoke with were in favor of keeping the six-team, two-group play, format of competition in the future.
Thelma Acosta (to left of flag) and her team from the Travesias Mundiales travel agency in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico did a great job on short notice in switching our group’s travel plans from Venezuela to Panama. Arrangements and reservations went smoothly in Panama City.
Finally, thanks to mi buen amigo Juan Antonio Jasso (in picture with the author above) for his help and friendship. Thanks also to my friends ‘Nacho Romero and Juan Antonio Diaz. These three gentlemen add tremendously to my enjoyment of Serie del Caribe and travel to Latin America.
Current plans are for Serie del Caribe to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2020 and in Mazatlán, Mexico in 2021.
THANKS FOR READING!
CUBA AND PANAMA’ WILL FACE OFF IN THE FINALS !!
February 9, 2019
Both games on Saturday were extremely important for the outcome of Serie del Caribe 2019.
Game 11 – Cuba defeated Venezuela 3-0 to win Group A. Cuban starter Lazaro Blanco pitched five innings, working around five hits and three walks to record the win. The bullpen did the rest, shutting out Cardenales de Lara on only three more hits in the remaining four innings.
Game 12 – Panama’ takes Group B with a 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico. The hosts scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth and that stood up for the win. Four Panama’ pitchers combined for the shutout, with starter Oriel Caicedo getting the win and Manny Corpus recording the save.
Both group winners were decided by tie-breaker rules. Cuba prevailed in Group A with a superior Team Quality Balance – TQB – essentially run differential but with consideration for innings actually played on offense and defense. In Group B, Panama’ and Venezuela were both tied at 3-1, were tied on TQB, and were tied on TQB considering only earned runs. The third tie-breaker consideration awarded 1st place in the Group to the hosts.
February 8, 2019
Game 9 – The Dominican team defeated host Panama’ 5-3. Catcher Wilkin Castillo was the hitting star, going 3-for-4 with four RBI. Jumbo Diaz again got the save.
Game 10 – Mexico scored early and often, handing the Venezuela team their first loss 9-4. 1B Victor Mendoza was 4-for-5 and broke the game open with a 3-run homer in the bottom of the sixth.
Through five days of group play, the standings are —
Group A – Venezuela 2-1, Mexico 2-2, Cuba 1-2
Group B – Dominicana 3-1, Panama’ 2-1, Puerto Rico 0-3
On Saturday, Venezuela plays Cuba and Panama’ plays Puerto Rico. These games are both very important and will directly affect which teams win the groups and advance to the finals. Should the W-L be tied, a form of run differential will be used to break the tie. Stay tuned …
February 7, 2019
Game 7 – Mexico gets into the win column with 3-2, 11-inning victory over Cuba. Most of the scoring took place in the first inning, as the Mexican team posted a single run as they led off and Cuba answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame. But that was all Cuba could manage as the Mexican pitching staff shut them out for the remaining 10 innings. Mexico tied the game in the top of the sixth and pushed the winner across in the top of the eleventh.
CF Alonzo Harris was 3-4 with a walk and scored twice as he led off for Mexico. The Cuban runs were driven in by long-time stars Alfredo Despaigne and Freddy Cepeda. Mexico closer Sergio Romo came on in relief in the ninth, pitched 2 2/3 innings, struck out three and picked up the win.
Game 8 – The Dominican team won in walk-off fashion 5-4 over Puerto Rico. The defending champs pounded out 12 hits to take a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the 8th, but the Puerto Rican bullpen issued walks leading to single Dominican tallies in the bottom of the 8th and 9th. Junior Lake drove in the winning run.
Through four days of group play, the standings are now:
Group A – Venezuela 2-0; Cuba 1-2; Mexico 1-2
Group B – Panama’ 2-0; Dominicana 2-1; Puerto Rico 0-3
February 6, 2019
Game 5 – Venezuela prevailed 1-0 over Cuba in a tight pitching duel. The only tally was scored in the bottom of the seventh when 1B Rangel Ravelo reached on an error, advanced to second with a walk to the next batter, was sacrificed to third, and then scored on a sac fly. One unearned run manufactured without a hit!
Game 6 was a wild affair, with the host Panama team coming from behind to defeat defending champs Puerto Rico 8 – 7. Panama slugged out 14 hits but hurt themselves by walking 7 and committing two errors. As a result, Puerto Rico led 6-1 at the end of seven innings. Then the real fun began as the hosts put up 4 in the 8th and 3 in the 9th. SS Javy Guerra again starred for Panama, going 3 for 4 with a key two out, two RBI double in the 8th.
At the end of the first round of group play, the standings look like this
| GROUP A | W | L |
| Venezuela | 2 | 0 |
| Cuba | 1 | 1 |
| Mexico | 0 | 2 |
| GROUP B | W | L |
| Panama’ | 2 | 0 |
| Dominicana | 1 | 1 |
| Puerto Rico | 0 | 2 |
No team is statistically eliminated, yet, but the Mexican and Puerto Rican clubs would need to win their remaining two games, with a big run differential, and hope for help from Cuba and Dominicana respectively. The second round of group play begins Thursday Feb. 7.
February 5, 2019
Game 3 saw the Mexican squad continue to struggle offensively as Cuba won 3 to 1. Cuban starter Lazaro Blanco pitched seven shutout innings for the win. Long time Cuban star Alfredo Despaigne was 3 for 4 and drove in all three Cuba runs.
With the new Cuba/MLB agreement, scouts were in attendance to get a first hand look at the Cuban players.
Game 4 was an exciting affair with the Panama squad defeating the Dominicans 4 to 2. This game marked the first time since 1960 that Panama has fielded a team at Serie del Caribe. The results were very positive for the hosts. SS Javy Guerra, who debuted with the Padres last summer, opened the scoring with a solo homer in the bottom of the second. Panama starter Harold Arauz pitched five shutout innings. The Dominicans tied the game in the sixth at 2-2, but Panama came back in the seventh with two runs sparked by aggressive base running. Manny Corpas closed out the ninth for the win.
February 4, 2019
The 61st edition of the Caribbean Series is underway!
Game 1 saw the Dominican team (Estrellas Orientales) defeat defending champion Puerto Rico 3 to 1. Dominican starter Nestor Cortes and three relievers held the Santurce squad to only one hit! Jumbo Diaz picked up the save. The Dominicans pounded out 12 hits and put up single runs in the 2nd, 5th and 9th innings to pick up the win.
Recent HOF electee Mariano Rivera threw out the ceremonial first pitch in between games. It seemed fitting that this occurred in Rod Carew Stadium, thus tying together the two Panamanian hall-of-famers.
In Game 2, Venezuela (Cardenales) defeated Mexico (Charros) 5 to 1. Venezuela was scheduled as the “home” team, and it certainly seemed like a home game for them. There were thousands of Venezuelan fans in the ballpark supporting their team. Nestor Molina was the winning pitcher, working five effective innings and allowing only the one unearned run. Cardenales broke the game open with three tallies in the bottom of the sixth, including a two run homer by 3B Carlos Rivero.
I would estimate attendance at the evening game was around 10,000.
Stay tuned, as we have 11 more games to play!
February 3, 2019
Single game tickets went on sale yesterday at local outlets and the stadium ticket office. The Panamanians are making a big push to turn out a large crowd on short notice. Tickets are priced to sell … $5 for the upper seats down the foul lines and $20 for good box seats. These prices are USD (the dollar is legal currency in Panama’) and are good for both games each day.
There was a protest rally here in response to the Venezuelan opposition leader’s call for support. The U.S. charge’ and Colombian ambassador were both in attendance.
Panama native and recent HOF electee Mariano Rivera will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the evening game Monday.
February 2, 2019
Your author is on-site in Cd. de Panama’. Our group of fans will be gathering over the weekend and play will begin Monday, Feb. 4. Stay tuned!
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The Caribbean Baseball Confederation announced Monday afternoon, January 28, that the tournament will be moved from Barquisimeto, Venezuela to Estadio Nacional de Panama’ in Panama City. The current Panama’ champs, Toros de Herrera, will join the field of league champions competing at the Series.
Estadio Nacional de Panama’ is also known as Rod Carew Stadium. It seats 27,000 for baseball. Dimensions are 321′ at both foul lines and 400′ in center. The field is natural grass.
As of Thursday, January 31 it appears that the Venezuelan champions, Cardenales de Lara, will indeed participate. The announced format-of-competition for the resulting six-team tournament is as follows:
The field will be divided into two groups for group play:
Group A – Venezuela (Cardenales de Lara), Mexico (Charros de Jalisco) and Cuba (Lenadores de Las Tunas)
Group B – Panama’ (Toros de Herrera), Dominican Republic (Estrellas Orientales – San Pedro de Macoris), Puerto Rico (Cangrejeros de Santurce)
Schedule – Group play from Feb. 4 to Feb. 9. Each team will have two games against each of the other two teams in its Group – for a total of four games over the six days. The two Group winners will then face off in the Final on Feb. 10 for the Serie del Caribe crown.
The detailed schedule is as follows:
| DATE | TIME | GAME | BYE |
| Mon Feb 4 | 15:00 | R. Dominicana vs Puerto Rico | Panamá |
| Mon Feb 4 | 20:00 | México vs Venezuela | Cuba |
| Tues Feb 5 | 15:00 | Cuba vs México | Venezuela |
| Tues Feb 5 | 20:00 | R. Dominicana vs Panamá | Puerto Rico |
| Wed Feb 6 | 15:00 | Cuba vs Venezuela | México |
| Wed Feb 6 | 20:00 | Panamá vs Puerto Rico | R. Dominicana |
| Thurs Feb 7 | 15:00 | México vs Cuba | Venezuela |
| Thurs Feb 7 | 20:00 | Puerto Rico vs R. Dominicana | Panamá |
| Fri Feb 8 | 15:00 | Panamá vs R. Dominicana | Puerto Rico |
| Fri Feb 8 | 20:00 | Venezuela vs México | Cuba |
| Sat Feb 9 | 13:00 | Venezuela vs Cuba | México |
| Sat Feb 9 | 19:00 | Puerto Rico vs Panamá | R. Dominicana |
| Sun Feb 10 | 16:00 | CHAMPIONSHIP GAME | – |
- Times are local time – Panama times are U.S. Eastern Zone in winter
PLAYOFFS UPDATE – January 27-28, 2019
DOMINICANA
Estrellas Orientales (San Pedro) cruised through the best-of-nine LIDOM final series, defeating Toros (La Romana) five games to one. Centerfielder Jose Siri (AA with Cincinnati) was the hitting star of the playoffs, batting .591.
This is Estrellas’ first LIDOM championship since 1968, and will be the club’s very first visit to la Serie del Caribe. Pictures above show the celebration parade in San Pedro in ’68 and last week. (Photos courtesy of Shawn Flaherty in La Romana)
PUERTO RICO
Cangrejeros de Santurce swept Mayaguez in four games to claim the Puerto Rican league crown. The largest crowd of the season, over 7500, saw the locals defeat the regular season champion Indios at Estadio Hiram Bithorn in San Juan. The Crabbers will advance to Serie del Caribe and attempt to win Puerto Rico’s third straight Caribbean corona.
VENEZUELA
Cardenales de Lara won the LVBP championship, four games to one, with a 9-2 victory over Caracas. This is the Redbirds’ fifth Venezuelan championship. Shortstop Juniel Querecuto was named finals MVP after hitting .611 in the final series. Querecuto is an Arizona Diamondbacks farmhand, having hit for a combined .337 at AA and AAA this past summer.
It’s very unfortunate that, due to the political situation in Venezuela, Cardenales will not be hosting Serie del Caribe in their home ball park. They had an outstanding season, finishing second overall in the regular season and cruising through all three playoff rounds.
MEXICO
Charros de Jalisco defeated Yaquis de Obregon 11-1 in Game 6 to take the LMP championship four games to two. Charros’ first baseman Dariel Alvarez was named Final Series MVP. During the six games, the former Orioles farmhand batted .370 with 3 HR and 11 RBI.
CUBA – the Las Tunas roster will be heavily re-inforced at Serie del Caribe. Fourteen of the 28 players will be refuerzos selected from the other Serie Nacional 58 clubs.
In the photo above (also courtesy of Shawn Flaherty), Cuban fans have some fun with a Spanglish banner.
PLAYOFFS UPDATE – January 16 – 20, 2019
One league winner has been determined, with the other four final series are either in-progress or about to begin. Here’s the latest:
VENEZUELA
Leones de Caracas closed out their semi-final series four games to one against Caribes. Cardenales de Lara also advanced to the LVBP finals by defeating Magallanes four games to two.
16,874 fanaticos saw their Cardenales clinch the final berth at home in Barquisimeto. Their ball park is Estadio Antonio Herrera Gutierrez, the host site for next month’s Serie del Caribe 2019.
MEXICO
Charros de Jalisco took their semi-final series from Mazatlan four games to one. Yaquis de Obregon played at Los Mochis in a decisive game seven of their semi-final series. Yaquis prevailed 6-2, taking advantage of three Caneros errors to advance to the finals.
The LMP finals will open Monday, January 21 with Charros hosting Yaquis at Estadio de Beisbol Charros de Jalisco in Zapopan (Guadalajara).
Charros’ shortstop Manny Rodriguez was named LMP MVP. He led the league with 52 RBI, while hitting .313 with 13 HR and 41 runs scored. This is Rodriguez’ second consecutive MVP honor and third in his career. He trails only the great Hector Espino, who had six MVP honors.
PUERTO RICO
Eleven games into the semi-final todos-contra-todos series, the two finalists have been determined. Indios de Mayaguez clinched the first pass to the final series several games ago. And, with Carolina’s loss Friday night, Santurce also advanced to the final series.
The round-robin standings as of close of play on January 18 are:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Advance? |
| Mayagüez | 8 | 3 | Yes |
| Santurce | 5 | 5 | Yes |
| Carolina | 3 | 8 | Eliminated |
The final series will commence Tuesday, January 22 at Estadio Isidoro “Cholo” Garcia in Mayagüez. This will be the fifth consecutive appearance in the finals for Cangrejeros de Santurce.
CUBA
Las Tunas wins its first-ever Cuban title! The Lumberjacks took the final series four games to one, clinching the Serie Nacional 58 title and a trip to Serie del Caribe.
The team played well all season, finishing the first-half only one game out of first place, winning the second half by two games, and dominating their semi-final and final series. Their next game will be Saturday, February 2 in Barquisimeto and will be the opening game of Serie del Caribe 2019.
DOMINICANA – after the 18-game semi-final round-robin, the final field was still not decided:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Advance? |
| Estrellas | 11 | 7 | Yes |
| Escogido | 10 | 8 | Tied for 2nd |
| Toros | 10 | 8 | Tied for 2nd |
| Licey | 5 | 13 | Eliminated |
The second-place tie between Escogido (Santo Domingo) and Toros (La Romana) had to be resolved with a one-game tie breaker played at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal on Wednesday evening January 15.
Toros won that game 4-3 behind eight solid innings by their veteran pitcher Raul Valdes and a 2-RBI triple by DH Jordany Valdespin.
Consequently, the best-of-nine final series will be an “All Eastern” affair matching Estrellas Orientales (San Pedro) and Toros del Este.
The LiDOM finals will begin Thursday January 17, with Estrellas hosting Toros at Estadio Tetelo Vargas in San Pedro de Macoris.
Early results – as of January 19 action in the LIDOM finals, Estrellas lead Toros two games to one.
PLAYOFFS UPDATE – January 11, 2019
CUBA
Serie Nacional 58 is the first league to move on to their final series. Favorites Las Tunas won their semi-final series easily over Ciego de Avila – four games to one. Likewise, Villa Clara eliminated Sancti Spiritus four games to one.
The final series will open Saturday, January 12 at Estadio Julio Antonio Mella in Las Tunas.
MEXICO – the semi-final field is set in la Liga Mexicana del Pacifico.
Los Mochis eliminated Hermosillo four games to two.
Charros de Jalisco defeated Culiacan four games to two. The deciding game six went to Jalisco, 1-0, even though they tallied only one hit! But that hit was an RBI double by catcher Gabriel Gutierrez in the top of the ninth to drive in the deciding run.
Mazatlán won the seventh and deciding game of their series with Obregon, 3-2. Obregon also advances to the semi-finals as the wild card. In the LMP system of competition, el mejor perdedor (the best loser) advances as the fourth team to the semi-final round. Yaquis de Obregon won three games in their losing effort, so therefore they qualified for the semi-finals.
The semi-final play begins Friday January 11 with Jalisco at Mazatlan and Obregon at Los Mochis.
Naranjeros shortstop Jasson Atondo was named LMP Rookie of the Year and was the first selection (by Mazatlán) in the draft of refuerzos for the semi-final round.
Jalisco pitcher Elian Leyva was named LMP Pitcher of the Year.
DOMINICANA – the todos-contra-todos semi-final round continues to be a tight three-way race. Toros won a key game last night against Escogido at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal. 41-year-old veteran Cuban pitcher Raul Valdes hurled 7.2 innings, allowing no earned runs, in the Toros 7-2 victory. Estrellas eliminated Licey with a 6-3 victory, the difference being a Fernando Tatis, Jr. three run homer in the bottom of the ninth.
With only three games remaining in the round-robin phase, the standings are:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Toros | 9 | 6 | — |
| Estrellas | 9 | 6 | — |
| Escogido | 8 | 7 | 1 |
| Licey (eliminated) | 4 | 11 | 5 |
VENEZUELA – three of the four semi-finalists have been decided.
Serie del Caribe host Cardenales de Lara made quick work of Bravos de Margarita, taking their first-round series four games to one.
Leones de Caracas defeated Tigres de Aragua four games to two. Likewise, Caribes bested Magallanes four games to two.
Per the LVBP system of competition, Tigres will now play Magallanes at the Navegantes’ home park in Valencia in a one-game wildcard match-up tonight (Friday January 11). The winner of that game will also advance to the semi-finals.
note – Magallanes won the Jan. 11 wild-card game 11-7. The semi-final pairings are: Magallanes at Cardenales; Caribes at Caracas.
Veteran manager Luis Dorante was named Manager of the Year in the LVBP. After taking charge of Magallanes, the club went 25-13 the rest of the regular season to take first place in the standings.
PUERTO RICO – with 10 days left on the round-robin calendar, the standings in the semi-final round are:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Mayaguez | 4 | 2 | — |
| Santurce | 3 | 2 | 0.5 |
| Carolina | 1 | 4 | 2.5 |
Indios de Mayaguez have six games reminaing; Santurce and Carolina have seven games remaining.
UPDATE – January 1, 2019
¡ Feliz y próspero Año Nuevo ! The winter regular season has completed and playoffs are either underway or about to begin. The next thirty days will determine which five teams will represent their leagues at Serie del Caribe 2019. Here’s the latest:
DOMINICANA – the regular season final standing were:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Estrellas (San Pedro) | 29 | 21 | — |
| Escogido (Santo Domingo) | 27 | 23 | 2 |
| Licey (Santo Domingo) | 27 | 23 | 2 |
| Toros (La Romana) | 25 | 25 | 4 |
| Aguilas (Santiago) | 22 | 28 | 7 |
| Gigantes (San Francisco) | 20 | 30 | 9 |
The top four teams advanced to a round-robin semi-final playoffs.
Former major-leaguer Fernando Tatís was named manager of the year for his work leading Estrellas Orientales.
The current round-robin standings (as of games completed by December 31), are:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Toros | 5 | 2 | — |
| Escogido | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Estrellas | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Licey | 2 | 5 | 3 |
Free agent major leaguer Hunter Pence is playing with Toros and causing a stir in the playoffs:
(Thanks to colleague Shawn Flaherty – above right wearing Toros jersey – for the Dominican updates and photos from La Romana)
CUBA
On December 19, Major League Baseball and the Cuban Baseball Federation announced their agreement on procedures for the recruitment of Cuban players by MLB clubs. The agreement is similar to those between MLB and the top leagues in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. MLB’s announcement is here.
The Second Half of the Serie Nacional 58 season came down to a photo-finish on Christmas Day. Of the six teams participating in the second half, there was a possibility of a four-way tie for second place. Industriales had to play a make-up game against Sancti Spiritus on Dec. 25, and had the Havana club won the game, four teams would have been tied at 31-29. However, the Blue Lions lost that key game and were eliminated from further play. Holguin also was eliminated. The final standings were:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Las Tunas | 34 | 26 | — |
| Sancti Spiritus | 32 | 28 | 2 |
| Villa Clara | 31 | 29 | 3 |
| Ciego de Avila | 31 | 29 | 3 |
| Industriales (eliminated) | 30 | 30 | 4 |
| Holguin (eliminated) | 22 | 38 | 12 |
The SN58 best-of-seven semi-finals will open January 4. Las Tunas will have home-field advantage vs. Ciego de Avila; Sancti Spiritus will have home-field nod over Villa Clara.
MEXICO – the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico completed its second half season on Sunday, December 30. Second-half standings were:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Los Mochis | 21 | 12 | — |
| Cd. de Obregon | 19 | 12 | 1 |
| Hermosillo | 19 | 14 | 2 |
| Jalisco | 17 | 15 | 3.5 |
| Culiacan | 17 | 16 | 4 |
| Mazatlán | 16 | 17 | 5 |
| Navajoa | 12 | 21 | 9 |
| Mexicali | 9 | 23 | 11.5 |
The LMP teams earn points for their position finish for the first- and second-half seasons. Points are awarded as follows: 8 points for first place, 7 for second, 6 for third, 5 for fourth, 4.5 for fifth, 4 for sixth, 3.5 for seventh, and 3 points for finishing last. The points are added together to determine the teams that qualify (the top six) and to seed the playoff series. The final points totals are as follows:
| Team | 1st half points | 2nd half points | total |
| Culiacan | 8 | 4.5 | 12.5 |
| Cd. de Obregon | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| Hermosillo | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Los Mochis | 3 | 8 | 11 |
| Mazatlán | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| Jalisco | 3.5 | 5 | 8.5 |
| Navajoa (eliminated) | 4 | 3.5 | 7.5 |
| Mexicali (eliminated) | 4.5 | 3 | 7.5 |
First-round playoff games will commence January 1 with Tomateros de Culiacan hosting Charros de Jalisco; Yaquis de Obregon hosting Venados de Mazatlán; and Naranjeros de Hermosillo hosting Caneros de Los Mochis.
Charros de Jalisco pitcher Elian Leyva won a rare “pitching triple crown” this season in the LMP. The Cuban native led the league in wins (6), ERA (2.02) and strikeouts (67). This past summer he pitched 87 innings with a 2.69 ERA across AA and AAA stints in the Atlanta Braves system.
VENEZUELA – the final league standings are as follows:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Magallanes | 36 | 27 | — |
| Lara | 35 | 28 | 1 |
| Caracas | 34 | 29 | 2 |
| Aragua | 33 | 30 | 3 |
| Margarita | 32 | 31 | 4 |
| Anzoátegui | 31 | 32 | 5 |
| La Guairá (eliminated) | 28 | 33 | 7 |
| Zulia (eliminated) | 21 | 40 | 14 |
The top six teams advance to the first-round playoff series beginning January 3. The pairings are: Magallanes vs. Anzoátegui; Lara vs. Margarita; and Caracas vs. Aragua.
Veteran major-leaguer Delmon Young led the league in numerous batting categories. Playing for Navegantes de Magallanes, he topped the circuit in HR (19), RBI (52) and runs scored (41).
PUERTO RICO – the final regular-season standings are:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Mayaguez | 21 | 14 | — |
| Carolina | 17 | 18 | 4 |
| Santurce | 17 | 19 | 4.5 |
| Caguas (eliminated) | 16 | 20 | 5.5 |
Criollos de Caguas were eliminated and will not be defending their two-time Puerto Rican and Serie del Caribe titles. The other three clubs will begin a 12-game round-robin semifinal series starting on January 2.
St. Louis Cardinals prospect SS Delvin Perez in action for Carolina.
Saul “Monaguillo” Rivera pitching for Mayaguez. (Gracias to colleague Angel Colon for the action photos).
Stay tuned – the various league playoffs will take up the month of January and I will post updates as the clubs advance towards their league championships and Serie del Caribe 2019.
Thanks!! for reading.
UPDATE – December 15, 2018
There are about two weeks left to play in the rol regular of the Latin American Winter Leagues. Here’s the latest:
DOMINICANA – current standings are:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Estrellas | 28 | 20 | — |
| Licey | 26 | 22 | 2 |
| Escogido | 25 | 23 | 3 |
| Toros | 24 | 24 | 4 |
| Aguilas | 21 | 27 | 7 |
| Gigantes | 20 | 28 | 8 |
The top four teams will advance to a todos-contra-todos (round robin) “semi final” phase in January.
Estrellas’ and former major leaguer Junior Lake leads all hitter with 24 RBI and is tied for the HR lead with 4.
Escogido’s Josh Lowey leads all pitchers with six wins, plus has a nice 2.29 ERA.
PUERTO RICO – through the first month of play, the standings are:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Mayaguez | 17 | 8 | — |
| Carolina | 13 | 12 | 4 |
| Santurce | 11 | 13 | 5.5 |
| Caguas | 8 | 16 | 8.5 |
The top three teams advance to post-season play in January. The second- and third-place teams will play a short “wild-card” series, with the winner advancing to play the first-place finisher for the league title. Criollos de Caguas are defending two-time champs of both the Clemente League as well as Serie del Caribe; but they will have to rally to defend their titles.
Muchas gracias a mis amigos and fellow SABR colleagues Angel Colón and Jorge Fidel López for the following action photos from Puerto Rico:
Yadiel Rivera (Mayaguez) and Heliot Ramos (Santurce).
Willie Abreu (Caguas) and Jumpei Takahashi (Carolina).
Indios’ Kennys Vargas (Twins and AAA Rochester) leads all hitters with a .403 average and 4 HR.
VENEZUELA – the current standings are:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Lara | 30 | 21 | — |
| Magallanes | 29 | 23 | 1.5 |
| Margarita | 28 | 25 | 3 |
| Caracas | 27 | 25 | 3.5 |
| Aragua | 23 | 24 | 5 |
| LaGuaira | 24 | 26 | 5.5 |
| Caribes | 21 | 29 | 8.5 |
| Zulia | 20 | 29 | 9 |
The top six teams will advance to “quarter-final” play in January.
Play in the LVBP was cancelled for games scheduled Saturday, December 8 in memory of players José Castillo and Luis Valbuena. The Cardenales de Lara teammates were killed in a car crash the previous day. Both were accomplished major leaguers who were also stalwarts in the Venezuelan winter league.
CUBA – with one week remaining, here are the Serie Nacional 58 standings:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Las Tunas | 33 | 21 | — |
| Villa Clara | 29 | 25 | 4 |
| Sancti Spiritus | 27 | 26 | 5.5 |
| Ciego de Avila | 27 | 27 | 6 |
| Industriales | 25 | 28 | 7.5 |
| Holguin | 20 | 34 | 13 |
The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals. Las Tunas is “in” and Holguin is “out”, but the three remaining playoff spots are TBD. Industriales has won three straight to pull back into contention.
MEXICO – second-half standings are as follows:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Hermosillo | 13 | 7 | — |
| Cd. de Obregon | 12 | 7 | 0.5 |
| Jalisco | 12 | 8 | 1 |
| Culiacan | 11 | 9 | 2 |
| Los Mochis | 10 | 10 | 3 |
| Mazatlán | 8 | 12 | 5 |
| Navajoa | 7 | 13 | 6 |
| Mexicali | 6 | 13 | 6.5 |
Each club will earn an appropriate number of “points” based upon their second-half finish. When added to the team’s first-half points, the sum will determine the top six teams that will advance to the January playoffs.
Hermosillo’s Jasson Atondo leads all hitters with a .376 average.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
I visited my good friend and béisbol amigo Ing. Juan Antonio Jasso in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico for a long weekend earlier in December. I was a guest in his home, as well as on his weekly radio show – Peña Beisbolera on Radio Naranjeros. Juan treated me to two Naranjeros games at Estadio Sonora. I was also a guest at un gran carne asada at the home of his colleague Francisco Salazar. Some pictures follow:
Group picture at Estadio Sonora. I am back row, second from right (wearing Cardenales de Lara jersey). My good friend Juan Antonio is front row, center. The main guest is Naranjeros player Norberto Obeso (front row, second from right). Obeso is signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and played in the Class A Midwest League in 2018.
At the carne asada – our host “Paco” Salazar and his wife are on the far left. My other buen béisbol amigo – ‘Nacho Romero – is second from right (in blue shirt to my left).
I also got to spend time with my travel agent and friend Thelma Acosta (second from left, to my right), owner of Travesias Mundiales. Thelma organizes our annual group adventures to La Serie del Caribe. With her help, I have secured my Venezuelan tourist visa and we are ready to travel to Barquisimeto, Venezuela in February for Serie del Caribe 2019.
MUCHÍSIMAS GRACIAS for a great baseball trip to my good friend Juan Antonio, and especially to his fabulosa esposa Carmen. Thanks also to Thelma Acosta and her team at Travesias Mundiales, my good friend Nacho Romero, and my new friends Paco, Oscar, Jesus Alberto, Julio (Manny), Sammy, Juan Carlos, and mi amiguito Pepetián. ¡GRACIAS POR TODO!
UPDATE – November 23, 2018
PUERTO RICO
Play began in La Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente on November 15. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Puerto Rican winter league. The 2018-19 season is being dedicated to Alex Cora, manager of the 2018 World Series champion Red Sox and long-time stalwart of the Criollos de Caguas franchise.
After a week of play, Indios de Mayagüez have the early lead at 4-2. Defending LBPRC and Serie del Caribe champs Criollos are at 3-3. Santurce is also at 3-3 and Carolina is at 2-4. Due to ongoing repairs/upgrades at their primary fields, Criollos are playing home games at Estadio Evaristo Roldan in Gurabo and Gigantes de Carolina are playing at Estadio Hiram Bithorn in San Juan.
MEXICO – the first half of the LMP season ended on November 21, with the standings and points earned as follows:
At the midway-point, Naranjeros de Hermosillo shortstop Jasson Atondo leads the league in hitting at .392.
DOMINICANA – through the games played on Nov. 22, only two games separate the entire field in the LiDOM:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Estrellas | 17 | 14 | — |
| Escogido | 16 | 15 | 1 |
| Aguilas | 15 | 16 | 2 |
| Gigantes | 15 | 16 | 2 |
| Licey | 15 | 16 | 2 |
| Toros | 15 | 16 | 2 |
Hanser Alberto leads the league in hitting at .349. Alberto split his 2018 summer season between AAA Round Rock (Texas) and the Texas Rangers.
VENEZUELA – the current league standings are:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Lara | 23 | 13 | — |
| Magallanes | 20 | 15 | 2.5 |
| Margarita | 18 | 18 | 5 |
| Caracas | 17 | 17 | 5 |
| Aragua | 15 | 17 | 6 |
| Zulia | 15 | 19 | 7 |
| LaGuaira | 15 | 19 | 7 |
| Caribes | 15 | 20 | 7.5 |
MLB veteran Alejandro de Aza, playing with Cardenales de Lara, is leading the LVBP in hitting at .384 and also leads the circuit in runs scored with 27.
CUBA
As mentioned earlier, an important change in the system of competition was made for the Serie Nacional 58 season. In the recent past, the six teams that advanced to the second-half competition brought their entire first-half W/L record (45 games) forward to second-half play. This year, the advancing teams only bring forward their W/L record against the other five advancing teams (15 games). Consequently, second-half play began with the following standings carried forward:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Las Tunas | 10 | 5 | — |
| Villa Clara | 9 | 6 | 1 |
| Ciego de Avila | 8 | 7 | 2 |
| Sancti Spiritus | 7 | 8 | 3 |
| Industriales | 7 | 8 | 3 |
| Holguin | 4 | 11 | 6 |
The new system of competition had a big negative effect for Holguin. They finished the first half in second place (28-17), but against the other qualifying clubs they began the second half in last place (4-11).
Through second-half play on Nov. 22, the SN58 standings are:
| Team | Wins | Losses | GB |
| Las Tunas | 23 | 13 | — |
| Sancti Spiritus | 22 | 14 | 1 |
| Ciego de Avila | 19 | 17 | 4 |
| Villa Clara | 18 | 18 | 5 |
| Industriales | 16 | 20 | 7 |
| Holguin | 10 | 26 | 13 |
Stay tuned – there’s a lot more béisbol to be played leading up to Serie del Caribe 2019 !
UPDATE – October 23, 2018
Winter league action is now underway in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. Serie Nacional 58 has reached the half-way mark in Cuba. Play will begin in Puerto Rico in three weeks. Here’s a current summary:
CUBA
Many of us were both shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of SABR colleague Peter Bjarkman. The noted baseball author died of a heart attack at the Havana airport on October 1. A brief memorial article from the SABR site is here.
Descansa en paz, Pedro.
Serie Nacional 58 reached the end of the first phase (45 games) with the standings at:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Advance? |
| Ciego de Avila | 28 | 17 | Y |
| Holguin | 28 | 17 | Y |
| Villa Clara | 27 | 18 | Y |
| Las Tunas | 27 | 18 | Y |
| Industriales | 29 | 19 | WC |
| Santiago | 25 | 20 | WC |
| Sancti Spiritus | 24 | 21 | WC |
| Mayabeque | 24 | 21 | WC |
| Isla de Juventud | 23 | 22 | N |
| Pinar del Rio | 21 | 24 | N |
| Artemisa | 20 | 23 | N |
| Camaguey | 19 | 26 | N |
| Granma | 18 | 25 | N |
| Guantanamo | 17 | 28 | N |
| Cienfuegos | 16 | 28 | N |
| Matanzas | 14 | 30 | N |
The top four teams now advance to second round play. The next four clubs in the standings entered a best-of-three wild card series to determine the additional two clubs to advance. Industriales defeated Mayabeque and Sancti Spiritus defeated Santiago to complete the second-half field of six teams. The second phase of SN58 – another 45 games – begins on October 26.
DOMINICANA – the 2018-19 winter season is being dedicated to recent HOF inductee Vladimir Guerrero. Their season is now about 10 days old, and Gigantes del Cibao (San Francisco de Macoris) has an early lead with a record of 6-2.
PUERTO RICO – the 2018-19 winter season will mark the league’s 80th anniversary. On November 15 four teams will take the field – Caguas, Mayaguez, Santurce, and Carolina. Criollos de Caguas are two time defending champs in Puerto Rico, and of Serie del Caribe.
MEXICO – after eight games, Mazatlán, Culiacan, and Jalisco are all tied atop the league standings at 5-3.
VENEZUELA – Navigantes de Magallanes are on top of the standings at 5-2 in the early going.
NOTES FROM YOUR AUTHOR – I made a “quick trip” to Venezuela on October 17 – in a manner of speaking. I went to the Venezuelan consulate in Houston to apply for my tourist visa in order to attend Serie del Caribe 2019 in Barquisimeto. All of my paperwork was in order, so I’m expecting my visa in a few weeks.
I always enjoy hearing from fellow members of the SABR Latino Committee. Muchisimas gracias for your many kind emails. I wanted to especially thank colleague Jane Hewitt – proprietor of Baseball Goes Global – for sending me one of her firm’s shirts:
Baseball Goes Global is on the ‘net at: baseballgoesglobal.shop
Stay tuned!! There’s a lot more baseball to be played south of the border.
UPDATE – September 9, 2018
Winter league action is underway in Cuba and training camps will begin in another week in most of the other winter leagues. Here’s the latest:
CUBA – Serie Nacional 58 play has been underway for about a month, and la primera etapa – the first 45 games of the season with all 16 clubs participating – is about at the half-way point. Here are the current standings:
| TEAM | W | L | GB |
| Villa Clara | 14 | 7 | — |
| Ciego de Avila | 15 | 8 | — |
| Industriales | 13 | 8 | 1 |
| Artemisa | 14 | 9 | 1 |
| Santiago | 13 | 9 | 1.5 |
| Las Tunas | 14 | 10 | 1.5 |
| Holguin | 12 | 9 | 2 |
| Guantanamo | 12 | 11 | 3 |
| Sancti Spiritus | 12 | 11 | 3 |
| Isla de Juventud | 11 | 11 | 3.5 |
| Camaguey | 9 | 12 | 5 |
| Cienfuegos | 9 | 13 | 5.5 |
| Mayabeque | 9 | 13 | 5.5 |
| Granma | 9 | 14 | 6 |
| Pinar del Rio | 6 | 15 | 8 |
| Matanzas | 5 | 17 | 9.5 |
MEXICO – representatives from Guasave, Sinaloa met with LMP officials in Guadalajara to discuss the possibility of the city being granted an LMP franchise. This would have to be tied to the LMP expanding to 10 teams. Other contenders for winter league franchises include Tijuana, Durango, Tepic, and (per rumor) Tucson.
On September 5, the LMP issued a press release stating they had been informed by the Mexican Summer League (LMB) that the LMB is planning to extend their 2019 season into November. This will cause another escalation in tensions between the two Mexican leagues, as many Mexican nationals will then be unavailable for the first month or so of the winter league schedule. The press release stated that LMP is focused on launching its 2018-19 season, and then will have to deal with the LMB changes.
PUERTO RICO – at the Caribbean Confederation conference held in Miami in late August, Puerto Rican officials announced a new economic plan for their winter league. The plan seeks to improve the strength of the league by entering into a league-wide marketing/merchandising agreement, revamping financial rules governing team support, payroll and operating caps, and improving broadcasts. The league also announced their intention to return to a six-franchise setup over the next few years.
Roster size will be expanded to 30 active players for 2018-19, with a minimum requirement of 22 native Puerto Rican players.
CARIBBEAN CONFEDERATION – at their first major meeting of the season, held August 28-30 in Miami, the winter leagues’ ruling body announced that Panama, Nicaragua, and Colombia are joining the Confederation. Panama was one of the founding leagues, participating in Serie del Caribe from 1949-1960. The three new countries’ leagues will participate in Serie del Caribe 2020 to be held in Puerto Rico. The format of competition has yet to be decided, but speculation is that the three new countries will play against each other in a preliminary tournament, with the winner advancing to Serie del Caribe 2020 as a sixth contestant.
Confederation officials also hinted that future Series del Caribe will not necessarily be hosted in a participating league city; and that the traditional early February dates for Serie del Caribe may have to be adjusted.
Stay tuned …
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Here are a few items of interest during the Winter Leagues’ “off season” —
CUBA – Serie Nacional 58 will begin play on August 9. The first half of the season – during which all 16 teams participate – will run through Oct. 7 and wild-card play-in games will complete by Oct. 18. This will narrow the field to six teams for second-half play, which will commence October 25. The second half is scheduled to complete Dec. 22 – with the top four teams then advancing to the league championship playoffs in January. The playoffs are due to finish no later than January 28.
A change is being made to the system-of-competition for SN58. In the immediate past, the first-half won-loss record for the six advancing teams was carried forward – in total – to the second-half standings. For the upcoming season, only the won-loss records among the six advancing teams will be carried forward. So – for example – if Industriales (Havana) was 30-15 in the first half, and 10-5 against the other five clubs advancing to the second half, only the 10-5 record would be carried forward to the second half standings. It will be interesting to see what effect this will have on the final standings.
MEXICO – in March the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico (LMP) announced that its league offices would move from Hermosillo, Sonora to Guadalajara, Jalisco. The main reason given was so that the league HQ would be in a larger media center.
In April some key operational announcements were made. The LMP schedule will open October 12. League playoffs will be held throughout the month of January, 2019 and will end no later than Jan. 29. Also, roster rules were changed in order to deal with the expanded Mexican Summer League (LMB) schedule that will run into the Fall beginning this year. LMP active rosters were expanded to 30 players. For the first-half season, up to 12 extranjeros (foreign-born players) can be on the roster. In the second-half, that number is reduced to eight. Expect to see more U.S. minor league players in LMP, both from affiliated and independent leagues.
Mazatlán team officials announced a major remodeling of Estadio Teodoro Mariscal. Mazatlán will be the site for Serie del Caribe 2021.
DOMINICANA – a major remodeling of the press and media transmission facilities was announced for Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo. The new area will be named Séptimo Cielo – Seventh Heaven.
The Dominican winter league (LiDOM) schedule will open Saturday, October 13 with a full slate featuring all six clubs.
PUERTO RICO – league president Héctor Rivera Cruz announced he was stepping down after seven years at the helm. Sr. Cruz led the league through extremely challenging times, and was rewarded with seeing Caguas win both of the last two Series del Caribe. Tony Flores was announced as the new president of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LBPRC).
Puerto Rican success continues in international play, with their club winning the baseball championship of the Central American & Caribbean Games, held in Barranquilla, Colombia.
The LBPRC schedule will get underway on November 15 with a 36-game slate.
VENEZUELA – the LVBP will open play on October 12 will all eight clubs in action.
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