Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Los Criollos de Caguas Win LBPRC Championship In Four

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

LBPRC CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME FOUR

(4-0) Criollos de Caguas      7

(0-4) Indios de Mayaguez     6

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/24/21 - Facing Mayagüez starter Nick Travieso, Caguas center fielder Jarren Duran leads off the game with a home run over the right field wall.  In the third, Nick Travieso pitches himself into more trouble by issuing a lead-off walk to Jarren Duran, yielding a double to left fielder Jay Gonzalez, and hitting Yadier Molina with a pitch to load the bases.  Travieso then walks first baseman Victor Caratini to force in a run.  Los Indios get one back in the bottom of the third on a run batted in from center fielder Jack Lopez.  Jay Gonzalez singles to lead off the fifth and promptly steals second.  Afterwhich, Yadier Molina is again hit with a pitch.  Third baseman Jose Miranda follows with a home run to left off Nick Travieso, giving Caguas a 5-1 lead.  Indios catcher Xavier Fernandez drives in a run on a sac-fly in the bottom half of the frame, scoring Christian Colon from third.  Caguas starter Giovanni Soto exits at this point after allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts through 4.2 innings pitched.  However, Nick Travieso is taken off the hook when Mayagüez takes the lead in the seventh with a four-run outburst featuring a double and a run batted in from Xavier Fernandez, a two-run base hit from right fielder Henry Ramos, and the go-ahead run-scoring sac-fly from Jack Lopez.  In the top of the ninth, Yadier Molina is hit by a pitch for the third time.  In fact, it's the second hit by pitch of the inning by right-hander Yacksel Rios.  Jose Miranda fanned swinging for the second out.  Still, with two runners on base, first baseman Víctor Caratini hit a comebacker off Yacksel Rios and reached safely; on the play, Jarren Duran scores from third base with the tying run.  Second baseman Vimael Machin then drives in the go-ahead run with a line-drive single to center.  Los Criollos call upon right-hander  Fernando Cruz to pitch the bottom of the ninth.  Cruz answers the call retiring the side in order,  striking out Henry Ramos to end the game.  Five Criollos relievers join to yield three earned runs on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts over the final 4.1 innings pitched.  New York Mets farmhand Joshua Torres earns the victory in relief.  Fernando Cruz earns his second save of the series.  The visiting Criollos clinch game four at Estadio Isidoro Cholo Garcia and sweep Los Indios de Mayagüez in four straight.  Established in 1938 as a founding member of LBPRC, Los Criollos de Caguas win their record 19th Puerto Rican championship and first since seizing back-to-back league titles during the 2016-2018 seasons.    Now it's onward to the Caribbean Series.

1. GAME ONE
2. GAME TWO
3. GAME THREE
   

REST IN PEACE

Henry Aaron

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2020 🏆 2021

Howard Kellman, Broadcaster of the (AAA) Indianapolis Indians Joins A Metsian Podcast

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING, MR. MET

With SAM, RICH & MIKE

GUEST

Play by Play Broadcaster 

(AAA) INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

est. 1902

HOWARD KELLMAN

seventy-six minutes

Howard Kellman was born and raised in Brooklyn.  He helped pioneer radio broadcasting of St. John's University basketball games and for the last forty-six years has been the play-by-play broadcaster of the famous (AAA)-Indianapolis Indians.  Established in 1902, the Indianapolis club is the second oldest minor league baseball team in America after the Rochester Red Wings.  Howard is friends with Brooklyn Dodgers great Carl Erskine with whom he worked alongside in the booth, and with Howie Rose, for whom he filled in many times as recently as 2014 on Mets broadcasts.  He takes us through his own near fifty-year experience in the game.  The Indians have variously served as an affiliate of the Reds, Expos, Brewers, and Pirates, thus Mr. Kellman has witnessed the rise of many burgeoning stars.  He recalls the wildly successful Montreal Expos affiliation with particular fondness.  A clear baseball insider, he adds clarity to the ongoing reorganization of minor and independent league baseball.  After which, Mr. Kellman transports us back to 1968 and his recollections of the New York Mets.  To hear more about Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gil Hodges, Hank Aaron, Larry Walker, Jeff McNeil, Pee Wee Reese, the Indianapolis Clowns and the ABC's, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the city of Indianapolis itself as told to by a native Brooklynite, then please give a listen.  Great conversation with Howard and partners Sam and Rich; you won't be sorry.

#LGM 

Baseball Great and Original New York Met Frank Thomas on an Amazin' Metsian Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

GUEST

National League Slugging Great and

Original Member of 1962 New York Mets

FRANK THOMAS

ninety-minutes

7/9/2020

FRANK THOMAS CHARITIES

CAMP HAPPY DAYS: KIDS WITH CANCER

&

COURAGEOUS KIDS: 

A SAFE HAVEN FOR KIDS WITH CANCER

SIGNED PICTURES ~ LISTEN FOR DETAILS

Frank Thomas last month turned 91-years old and remains sharp as a tac.  Listen as Frank takes us through his major league career, with life anecdotes involving Casey Stengel, Joan Payson, Gil Hodges, Branch Rickey, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, 

playing at the Polo Grounds and so much more!  

This is must listen stuff.  Enjoy!

Amazin' Date 10/6/1969: Mets Sweep Braves To Capture National League Pennant

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS
50th ANNIVERSARY

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME THREE

Braves   4

Mets       7

FINAL

METS WIN NATIONAL LEAGUE PENNANT

Sweep Three Games From Atlanta Braves;

Punch Ticket to World Series

With fans reveling on the playing field, underneath the stands at Shea Stadium Mr. Charles Shipman Payson during an euphoric post-game locker room celebration expresses his greatest tragedy is that his wife Joan was unable to attend and witness what her team had just accomplished.  While the Mets matriarch is indeed feeling under the weather, her National League club is toast of the town and will represent New York in this season's Fall Classic.

FIRST EVER PLAYOFF GAME AT SHEA STADIUM

In speaking with Ralph Kiner manager Gil Hodges acknowledges the irony of his team being predicated on strong pitching yet handily out-slugging the heavy hitting Atlanta Braves.  And for good reason as the Mets strike for 37 hits, and out score Atlanta by a 27-15 margin through three games.

THREE HOME RUNS POWER METS TO CLINCHING VICTORY

• GAME THREE: Monday, October 6, 1969 - BR

The Mets merely pick up where they leave off on Sunday.  But not before Hank Aaron short circuits an electrified crowd at Shea Stadium in the first inning when he connects on his third home run of the series giving the Atlanta Braves a prompt 2-0 lead.  Soon after center fielder Tony Gonzalez leads off the third with a single to right, and Hank Aaron doubles to left.  With two runners in scoring position manager Gil Hodges risks nothing.  He pulls rookie starter Gary Gentry in favor of flame thrower Nolan Ryan.  The strategy works.  When action resumes Rico Carty strikes out swinging.  After first baseman Orlando Cepeda is issued an intentional pass Ryan catches Clete Boyer looking at strike three for out number two.  Bob Didier then flies harmlessly to left ending the threat.  Tommie Agee punctuates his manager's maneuvering in the bottom half of the frame with a home run off Braves starter Pat Jarvis.  Ken Boswell likewise belts a two run home run in the fifth, again off Jarvis.  However Orlando Cepeda's go ahead two run home run off Ryan in the top of the fifth quickly changes the complexion of the game.  But Atlanta's lead is short lived as Wayne Garrett's two run blast and Ken Boswell's RBI hit in the bottom half of the frame gives the Mets a 6-4 lead.  An inning later Tommie Agee's run batted in makes it a 7-4 game and final margin of victory.  Gary Gentry pitches into the third allowing two earned runs on five hits and one walk with a strikeout.  Nolan Ryan comes up huge for the Mets yielding two runs on just three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts through seven innings pitched for the victory.

New York will face the Baltimore Orioles whom defeat the Minnesota Twins in the America League championship series.  Game one is scheduled for Saturday, October 11, at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium.

Amazin' Date 10/5/1969: Slugging Mets Take 2-0 Series Lead Over Atlanta Braves

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME TWO

Mets    11

Braves  6

FINAL

New York scores early, often, and late, en route to an 11-6 victory, and two game lead against the Atlanta Braves in this best of five National League championship series.

• GAME TWO: Sunday, October 5, 1969 - BR

The Mets knock Braves starter Ron Reed out of the box with haste.  Ed Kranepool's clutch two-out hit with the bases loaded in the first plates Tommie Agee for the game's first run.  In the second Reed issues a base on balls to counter-part Jerry Koosman.  It brings up Tommie Agee whom makes Reed pay dearly with a home run hit deep into the seats in left.  Cleon Jones keeps the line going with a double to left, and Art Shamsky strokes a single to right scoring Jones.  Manager Lum Harris can stand no more and yields to his bullpen before the second inning is through.

The Mets continue pressing for three more runs against relievers Paul Doyle and Milt Pappas.  First baseman Orlando Cepeda finally gets Atlanta on the board in the fourth.  But Cleon Jones' second hit of the game in the top of the fifth stakes the Mets to a 9-1 lead.  Hank Aaron's three run home run and Clete Boyer's two run single in the bottom half of the frame cut the Braves deficit to three.  That is, until Cleon Jones puts the game out of reach in the seventh with a two run home run off reliever Cecil Upshaw.  Jerry Koosman takes his lumps, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and four walks with five strikeouts before yielding to Ron Taylor with two outs in the fifth.  Taylor pitches through the sixth.  After which Tug McGraw closes out the game with three scoreless innings for the save.

Cleon Jones goes 3 for 5 with a double, home run, and three runs batted in.  Ken Boswell homers and drives in a pair.  Bud Harrelson drives in his third run of the series.  Art Shamsky goes 3 for 5 with a run batted in, and Tommie Agee goes 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs batted in.  The Mets generate 21 hits and 22 runs through two games at Atlanta.

The series now shifts to Shea Stadium for game three on Monday.

Amazin' Date 10/4/1969: Mets Surge Past Braves in Opening Game of National League Championship Series

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

New York Mets   9

Atlanta Braves   5

FINAL

New York Mets Defeat Atlanta Braves in Game One of First Ever National League Championship Series.

• GAME ONE: Saturday, October 4, 1969 - BR

The New York Mets overcome a 4-5 deficit with five runs in the eighth inning en route to an opening game victory over the Atlanta Braves.  With Phil Niekro on the mound, a passed ball by catcher Bob Didier in the second, and errors by first baseman Orlando Cepeda and center fielder Tony Gonzalez in the eighth inning pave the way for five unearned runs.  Otherwise neither starter is particularly sharp Saturday afternoon at Atlanta.  Tom Seaver yields five earned runs on eight hits and three walks with two strikeouts through seven innings.  He surrenders home runs to Tony Gonzalez in the fifth and to Hank Aaron in the seventh.  Wayne Garrett doubles leading off the eighth inning, and Cleon Jones promptly drives him home with a hit to center.  Art Shamsky then follows with a hit to left.  After which the Braves defense betrays Phil Niekro.  Tom Seaver is the beneficiary.  Ron Taylor throws two scoreless innings in relief of Seaver with two strikeouts to earn the save.  Bud Harrelson goes 1 for 3 with a triple and two runs batted in.  J.C. Martin also drives home two runs.  Ed Kranepool and Cleon Jones drive in one run apiece.

Amazin' Date 8/9/1969: Seaver Edges Out Braves for Victory Number Sixteen

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS
50th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Game #109:  Saturday, August 9, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Stadium

On the strength of Tom Seaver's right arm and a 13 hit attack the Mets take game three of their weekend series at Atlanta.  New York jumps out to a 3-0 lead in the third on a home run from Tommy Agee and Wayne Garrett's two RBI single plating Bobby Pheil and Cleon Jones.  In the bottom half of the frame the Mets are reminded whom exactly they're up against when both Hank Aaron and Orlando Cepeda connect on back-to-back home runs off Seaver.  Atlanta then ties the game in the fourth when Seaver's throwing error permits Hank Aaron to score all the way from first.  But Seaver makes up for his misplay with a lead-off base hit in the top of the seventh, then scoring via Cleon Jones' base hit to left.  The Mets pick up an insurance run in the eighth when Braves reliever Paul Doyle issues Ron Swoboda a bases loaded walks en rout to a 5-3 final score. Tom Seaver improves to 16-7 on the season with a 2.66 ERA.  He yields three runs, two earned, on six hits and five walks with three strikeouts through 7.1 innings pitched.  Cal Koonce picks up his seventh save with 1.2 scoreless innings of one-hit ball with a strikeout for his seventh save of the season.  Tommie Agee is 3 for 4 with with a RBI and run scored.  Jones is 2 for 3 with two walks and a double, and a run scored.  Cleon Jones drives home his team leading 65th RBI of the season.

• Mets Record: 61-48
• N.L. East: 2nd; 8.5 games back

Amazin' Date 8/3/1969: Mets Sweep Braves at Shea

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #102: Sunday, August 3, 1969 - BR
Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

The Mets defeat Atlanta in amazing fashion Sunday afternoon, completing a three game sweep of the N.L. West leading Braves.

Despite yielding a home run to catcher Bill Tillman leading-off the third, starter Gary Gentry pitches quite effectively through the game's first five innings.  In the sixth however, Atlanta catches up with Gentry.  Three straight singles to open the inning and a throwing error committed by Ron Swoboda playing left field leads to a second run.  Clean-up hitter Tony Gonzalez then strokes a single to right scoring Felipe Alou and Felix Millan.  Manager Gil Hodges gives Gentry the quick hook in favor of Don Cardwell.  Third baseman Bob Aspromonte greets him with a sac-fly to center scoring Hank Aaron from third for a 5-0 Braves lead.

The Mets finally break through against Braves starter Milt Papas in the bottom of the sixth.  Tommie Agee strokes a lead-off double to left, and with one out scores on Wayne Garrett's hit to center.  That's when Braves manager Lum Harris yanks his pitcher in favor of reliever Cecil Upshaw.  Art Shamsky and Rod Gaspar greet Harris with consecutive singles.  Felix Millan errs on Jerry Grote's grounder to second allowing Garrett to score from third.  With the bases jammed Manager Hodges dispatches Cleon Jones to pinch-hit for Cardwell, who does not disappoint.  Jones singles to right scoring both Shamsky and Gaspar.  Manager Harris then summons Paul Doyle from the bullpen whom yields a sac-fly to Buddy Harrelson allowing Grote to score from third, knotting the game at five.

They remain tied at five through the ninth and into extra innings they go at Shea Stadium.  Ron Taylor had assumed pitching duties in the ninth and posts three scoreless innings allowing two hits and striking out three.  With Claude Raymond in to pitch the bottom of the eleventh for Atlanta, Jerry Grote greets him with a lead-off home run to win the game.

Ron Taylor earns his sixth win versus two losses with a 2.88 ERA.

The Mets close out their ten game home stand with a 5-5 record.  They now travel to Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Houston.

• Mets Record: 58-44 (.568)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 6.5 GB

Amazin' Date 8/1/1969: Koonce and Grote Turn Back Braves

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #100: Friday, August 1, 1969 - BR
Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

One Hundred Games Down; Sixty-Two More To Go

The Mets outlast Atlanta in game one at Shea Stadium, but the same can not be said of starter Don Cardwell who pitches himself into immediate trouble.  Felipe Alou leads off the game with a single.  Next in Tony Gonzalez is struck with a pitch by Cardwell whom then issues a walk to Hank Aaron loading the bases.  Cardwell issues a second straight walk scoring Alou from third.  With one out Felix Millan singles to left driving in two and knocking Cardwell out of the box.  Cal Koonce is summoned from the bullpen.

Braves starter Phil Niekro promptly comes under siege as well.  The Mets open the bottom half of the frame with three straight hits.  With two outs and the bases jammed, Niekro walks Ron Swoboda scoring Bud Harrelson from third.  Rod Gaspar follows with a single to right scoring both Bobby Phiel and Tommie Agee.  With Jerry Grote at the plate, Swoboda scores on a passed ball charged to catcher Bob Didier.  Three innings later, Jerry Grote connects on a lead-off home run off Niekro giving the Mets a 5-3 lead after four.

Orlando Cepeda cuts the Mets lead to one with an RBI double in the seventh.  Otherwise Cal Koonce allows just one run on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts though 6.1 innings in relief of Cardwell to earn his fifth victory of the season.  Ron Taylor closes the game with 2.1 scoreless innings of one-hit baseball for his tenth save of the season.

The Mets snap a four game losing streak but fail to gain ground on the Cubs.

• Mets Record: 56-44 (.560)
• N.L. East: 2nd; 6.5 GB

Amazin' Date 5/21/1969: Tom Seaver's Gem Lifts Mets to New Heights

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #36: Wednesday, May 21, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Stadium

The Amazin' Mets Under Gil Hodges Reach the Elusive .500 Mark.

For a third time this season the Mets are winners of three straight.  Opening a two game set against the Braves, Tom Seaver climbed the hill at Atlanta Stadium and was opposed once again by Phil Niekro.  The game was not dissimilar to their match-up on May 14 in which Tom Seaver outlasted Niekro for the victory.  Only this time the 24-year old Seaver may have turned in his finest performance to date, limiting the Braves to just three hits and two walks with two strikeouts over nine complete innings of shutout ball.

The Mets tallied all their five runs off Niekro.  Tommie Agee opened the game with a double to right.  With one out Ken Boswell also doubled to right, but Agee was held up by third base coach Eddie Yost not wanting to test the throwing arm of Hank Aaron.  Cleon Jones made his coach look smart with a single to left plating both Agee and Boswell for a 2-0 first inning lead.

Phil Niekro again pitched himself into trouble in the eighth.  After yielding a one-out hit to Cleon Jones, the knuckle-baller loaded the bases with walks issued to both Ed Kranepool and J.C. Martin.  With two outs, Bud Harrelson wiped the bases clean with a triple into the right/center field gap.

FINAL

Mets     5

Braves  0

Tom Seaver improved his record to 6-2 and now sports a 1.96 ERA.  Tommie Agee, Ken Boswell, and Cleon Jones all had multiple-hit games.  Manager Hodges put his runners in motion against Niekro, as the Mets stole three bases in the game.

The Mets improved to 18-18 on the season.  You can mark it down, the Amazins' are off to their best ever start.  Let the record show May 21, 1969, is the latest date the team has been at .500 or better in any of their previous seven seasons of existence.

• Mets Record:  18-18
• N.L. East:  3rd; 5 GB

Amazin' Date 5/15/1969: Hank Aaron's Two Home Runs Too Much For Mets

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #33: Thursday, May 15, 1969 - BR
Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Don Cardwell's struggles continue as the N.L. West leading Atlanta Braves take Thursday's rubber game at Shea Stadium. 

The Mets starter got roughed up for four runs (three earned) on six hits including a home run from Hank Aaron in just three innings pitched.  In fact, Hammerin' Hank hit two home runs in the game, his second coming in the seventh off Cal Koonce pitching in relief Jack DeLauro whom was called up from Tidewater.

Atlanta maintained a 6-2 lead through seven.  The Mets then rallied in the eighth with three runs on four hits and a wild pitch by reliever Cecil Upshaw.  With two on in the ninth, Jerry Grote successfully sacrifice-bunted both runners into scoring position.  Upshaw then issued Wayne Garrett an intentional walk to load the bases.  The strategy paid off as Ken Boswell bounced into a force play at home.  Cleon Jones then popped up to the infield ending the game.

Atlanta starter Pat Jarvis allowed four earned runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts through seven innings pitched for the victory.  Cecil Upshaw earned his ninth save of the season.  Don Cardwell had his record fall to 1-6 on the season.

• Mets Record:  15-18
• N.L. East:  3rd; 7.5 GB

Amazin' Date 5/13/1969: Gary Gentry Hammered By Braves

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #31: Tuesday, May 13, 1969 - BR
Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Hank Aaron Introduces Himself to Gary Gentry; Mets Rally Falls Short

Atlanta came out slugging in Tuesday's series opener against Gary Gentry and the New York Mets.  With two outs in the first, Hammerin Hank Aaron connected off the Mets starter straight away for his fifth home run of the season.

Leading off the top of the fourth, Orlando Cepeda deposited a Gentry offering over the wall for his eighth home run of the season.  With one out, Gentry walked third baseman Clete Boyer, then surrendered his third home run of the game courtesy catcher Bob Tillmam.

Gary Gentry helped his own cause with a lead-off single off Braves starter Ron Reed in the sixth.  Into the box stepped Tommie Agee, who then connected on is fourth home run in his last three games, cutting the Mets deficit by half.

The Mets rallied again in the ninth.  Ken Boswell drew a lead-off walk against Cecil Upshaw pitching in relief of Reed.  With two outs, J.C. Martin singled.  Art Shamsky, pinch hitting for Amos Otis, followed with an RBI single up the middle.  With the tying run at third Bud Harrelson grounded out third to first ending the game.

Gary Gentry takes the loss, lowering his record to 2-3 on the season.  The Mets rookie allowed four earned runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts through eight innings work.  Atlanta's Ron Reed improved to 4-1 after limiting the Mets to a pair of earned runs on just four hits with four strikeouts.

Hank Aaron's home run was the 515th of his career.

• Mets Record:  14-17
• N.L. East:  3rd; 7 GB

Today For Rising Apple: My Tribute To The Hammer, Hank Aaron

Here's Today's Article For

RisingApple.com

40th Anniversay:
Henry Aaron Breaks Babe Ruth's All-Time Home Run Record With #715.

My Tribute To The Hammer, Hank Aaron

Mike.BTB