Winter League Baseball: Serie del Caribe 2018-2019 Preview

2018~2019

61st EDITION

With political turmoil raging throughout Venezuela, for a second straight year the Caribbean Confederation of Professional Baseball was left with no choice but to withdraw out of the city of Barquisimeto.  But whereas the decision to relocate last year's tourney was made in mid-summer,  thus facilitating a smooth transition to Jalisco, Mexico, this year's sudden outbreak of violence left little time for relocating a complex multinational event of this kind.  As such, the 61st edition of Serie del Caribe itself faced outright cancellation.  It would have marked the first tournament postponement since 1981, not coincidentally caused by the Venezuelan league players' strike.

Last year marked Mexico's second straight season as host nation.  As a result, they expressed a reluctance to host a third straight tournament.  Meanwhile, Puerto Rico is still beset with post Hurricane Maria recovery, and is in no position to host.  Dominican Republic offered to host but at the participating country's expense.  Cuba since 2014 is still technically considered a guest of the Caribbean Confederation, and therefore is not yet a host consideration.

Three cheers and bienvenidos a Panama, who at the last minute step in to become this year's Most Valuable Host.  The 2018-2019 Serie del Caribe goes on as scheduled, to be played at Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City.

This marks Panama's long awaited return to Caribe play.  Along with Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Cuba, they were charter members (1949-1960) of the original confederation, which was forced to disband upon onset of Fidel Castro's Communist revolution.  The original plan was to integrate Panama back into Caribe play by next year.  But considering the circumstances, a year earlier than anticipated suits everyone just fine.

CARIBBEAN CONFEDERATION CHARTER MEMBERS: 1949-1960

• Venezuela (0)
• Panama (1)
• Puerto Rico (4)
• Cuba (7)
• *Serie del Caribe titles

By 1959-1960, Cuba's Communist Revolution seizes control of government.  Fidel Castro nationalizes the country's baseball enterprise, and by banning professionalism transforms the game into regional divisions of strictly amateur competition.  The Serie del Caribe is suspended from 1961 through 1969 as a result.  Panama folds operations.  The circuit is reformed in 1970 with returning charter members Puerto Rico and Venezuela.  Dominican Republic joins the loop in 1970, and Mexico joins the following year.  These four member circuits now make up the present body of the Caribbean Confederation of Professional Baseball.  As a result of slow and steady thawing of decades long political tensions, the Confederation invited Cuba back in 2014 as a guest participant.

Serie del Caribe

Caribbean Confederation of Professional Baseball

CARIBBEAN CONFEDERATION REFORMED MEMBERS: 1970-present

• Dominican Republic (19)
• Puerto Rico (12)
• Mexico (9)
• Venezuela (7)

• Cuba (1) guest participant
• Panama (0) guest participant
• * Serie del Caribe titles

PANAMA (HOST)
Serie del Caribe Championships: 1950

• PROBEIS/Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Panama

LBP Champions: Torros de Herrera

• Torros defeat Aguilas Metropolitanas (3-1; best of five series) capturing club's first Panamanian League championship in only second season of existence.

• Los Torros de Herrera moved on to represent Panama in the Serie Latino Americana 2019.

CUBA
Serie del Caribe Champions: 1949; 1952; 1956-1960; 2015

• BaseballDeCuba

Serie Nacional CHAMPIONS: LENADORES de LAS TUNAS

• Club Founded: 1977
• Record: 65-45 (.591)
• 2018-2019 First Time Serie Nacional Champions/58th Edition; Defeat Leopardos de Villa Clara (four games to one).

• Cuban Baseball Federation Reveals Las Tunas final roster for Serie del Caribe

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Serie del Caribe Champions: 1971; 1973; 1977; 1980; 1985; 1988; 1990-1991; 1994; 1997-1999; 2001; 2003-2004; 2007-2008; 2010; 2012.

• Liga Beisbol Profesional Republica Dominicana

LIDOM CHAMPIONS: ESTRELLAS de ORIENTALES 

• Club Founded: 1910
• Dominican League Champions: 1936
• LIDOM Champions: 1954; 1968; 2019
• Serie del Caribe Champions: none

PUERTO RICO
Serie del Caribe Champions: 1951; 1953-1955; 1972; 1974-1975; 1978; 1983; 1987; 1992-1993; 1995; 2000; 2017-2018

• Liga Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

LBPRC CHAMPIONS: CANGREJEROS de SANTURCE 

• Club Founded: 1939
• LBPRC Champions: 1951; 1953; 1955; 1959; 1962; 1965; 1967; 1971; 1973; 1991; 1993; 2000; 2015-2016; 2019
• Serie del Caribe Champions: 1951; 1953; 1955; 1993; 2000

MEXICO

Serie del Caribe Champions: 1976; 1986; 1996; 2002; 2005; 2011; 2013-2014; 2016.

• Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

LMP CHAMPIONS: CHARROS de JALISCO

• Club Founded: 2014
• LMP Champions: 2019
• Serie del Caribe Champions: none

VENEZUELA
Serie del Caribe Champions: 1970; 1979; 1982; 1984; 1989; 2006; 2009

• Liga Venezulana Beisbol Profesional

Despite political and civil unrest dominating the nation's attention, the LVBP championship series  pressed on.

LVBP CHAMPIONS: LOS CARDENALES de LARA

• Club Founded: 1942
• LVBP Champions: 1991; 1998; 2000-2001
• Serie del Caribe Champions: none

ROD CAREW STADIUM

Estadio Nacional de Panama

Panama City

(Feb. 4-10)

GROUP A:

1. CUBA - Lenadores de Las Tunas
2. MEXICO - Charros de Jalisco
3. VENEZUELA - Cardenales de Lara

GROUP B:

1. PUERTO RICO - Cangrejeros de Santurce
2. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Estrellas de Orientales
3. PANAMA - Torros de Herrera

Serie del Caribe 

Baseball Hall of Fame Participants:

Jim Bunning ~ Rod Carew ~ Orlando Cepeda ~ Roberto Alomar ~ Monte Irvin ~ Willie Mays Rickey Henderson ~ Reggie Jackson ~ Roberto Cemente ~ Tony LaRussa ~ Juan Marichal Tom Lasorda ~ Edgar Martinez ~ Pedro Martinez ~ Satchel Paige ~ Mike Piazza ~ Tony Perez ~ Frank Robinson Ivan Rodriguez ~ Mike Schmidt ~ Hoyt Wilhelm

* Caribbean Series Baseball Reference

* ESPN Deportes

* Caribbean World Series

Winter League Baseball: All Championship Series Underway

WINTER LEAGUE BEISBOL

2018~2019

MEXICO

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

YAQUIS de OBRAGON

vs.

CHARROS de JALISCO

MONDAY

PUERTO RICO

Liga Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

CANGREJEROS de SANTURCE

vs.

INDIOS de MAYAGUEZ

TUESDAY

VENEZUELA

Liga Venezulana Beisbol Profesional

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
GAME ONE

LEONES de CARACAS

vs.

CARDENALES de LARA

TUESDAY

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Liga Beisbol Profesional Republica Dominicana

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME FOUR

ESTRELLAS de ORIENTALES (2-1)

vs.

TOROS del ESTE (1-2)

MONDAY

CUBA

Serie Nacional de Beisbol Cuba

CAMPEONES SERIE NACIONAL/58TH EDITION

LENADORES de LAS TUNAS

Winter League Baseball: Cuba Crowns New Champion; Dominican League Finals Underway

WINTER LEAGUE BEISBOL

2018~2019

CUBA

Serie Nacional de Beisbol Cuba

FOUNDED 1961

CAMPEONES SERIE NACIONAL/58th EDITION

Lenadores de Las Tunas

Las Tunas defeat Leopardos de Villa Clara; 4-1

I - LTU 13; VCL 6

II - LTU 8; VCL 4

III - VCL 9; LTU 4

IV - LTU 7; VCL 5

V - LTU 8; VCL 4

• Club Founded 1977
• Translation: Los Lenadores = the Lumberjacks/Woodcutters.
• Las Tunas play in Group C of the circuit's Eastern League.
• This is the club's first ever Serie Nacional championship.
• Las Tunas now enlist traditional reinforcements from within the league en route to this year's 2019 Caribbean Serie being hosted by Venezuela.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Liga Beisbol Profesional Republica Dominicana

Founded 1951

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

TOROS del ESTE

 vs. 

ESTRELLAS de ORIENTALES

Estrellas lead series 2-0

I - Estrellas 13; Toros 1

II - Estrellas 6; Toros 1

Game Three - 1/19

Game Four - 1/21

Game Five - 1/22

Game Six - 1/23*

Game Seven - 1/25*

Game Eight - 1/26*

Game Nine - 1/27*

1/18 - Game Two:  Before exiting on the winning side of a 4-1 game, Orientales starter Nestor Cortes pitches six scoreless innings of three-hit ball, with two walks and three strikeouts.  Five relievers join to pitch the final three frames, surrendering one earned run on three hits and a walk, with four strikeouts.  Roman Mendez struck out the side to close out the ninth.  Paolo Espino took the loss for los Toros, having allowed four earned runs on four hits and two walks through five innings, despite striking out nine.  Touted shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was 1 for 2, with an RBI and two runs scores for los Estrellas.  Former Mets and los Toros designated hitter Jordany Valdespin went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts.

Both teams are in search of their third ever LIDOM championship.

• Los Toros: 1994-1995; 2010-1011
• Estrellas: 1953-1954; 1967-1968 (won championship in 1936, prior to LIDOM)
• info/Wiki

Winter League Baseball: Cuba Grand Final; Mexico and Venezuela Down to Final Four

WINTER LEAGUE BEISBOL

2018 ~ 2019

CUBA

Semi-Finals

(#1) Las Tunas win series over (#4) Ciego de Avila; 4-1

(#2) Villa Clara win series over (#3) Santi Spiritus; 4-1

GRAND FINAL NACIONAL SERIE

GAME ONE

#2 Team Villa Clara (62-48)

vs.

#1 Team Las Tunas (65-45)

*

1/13 - Villa Clara @ Las Tunas

1/15 - Las Tunas @ Villa Clara

1/16 - Las Tunas @ Villa Clara

1/17 - Las Tunas @ Villa Clara

MEXICO

SEMI-FINALS

Best of Seven; Jan. 11-19

Yaquis de Obregon 

vs.  Caneros de Los Mochis

Los Mochis leads series 1-0

Charros de Jalisco  

vs.  Venados de Mazatlan

Mazatlan leads series 1-0

VENEZUELA

ROUND ONE

Caribes de Anzoategui def. Navegantes de Magallanes; 4-3

Cardenales de Lara def. Bravos de Margarita; 4-1

Leones de Caracas def. Tigres de Araguas; 4-2

*Loser's Bracket: Magallanes def. Araguas; 2-0

SEMI-FINALS

Best of Seven; Jan. 12-20

Navegantes de Magallanes  

vs.  Cardenales de Lara

Caribes de Anzoategui  

vs.  Leones de Caracas

• SerieNacionalBeisbolCuba 
• LigaMexicanaPacifico 
• LigaVenezolanaBeisbolProfesional

Winter League Updates: Wild Night in Mexico; Cuban Final Four

Winter League Beisbol

ROUND ONE

MEXICO

Round One:

1/8/2019 - In a bid to force game seven, former NYM Oliver Perez joins five other Culiacan Tomateros pitchers in throwing a combined no-hitter through eight full innings.  Entering the top of the ninth inning in a scoreless game, Jalisco outfielder Stephen Cardullo draws a two-out walk.  Catcher Gabriel Gutierrez then breaks up the no-hitter and ruins the shutout with an RBI double, giving the Charros the lead, an eventual 1-0 victory, and a series upset over the top seed Tomateros.

1/8/2019 - Los Yaquis de Obregon break a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the ninth to force a game seven against Mazatlan.

• (#5) Caneros de Los Mochis win series vs. (#2) Naranjeros de Hermosillo; 4-2.
• (#6) Charros de Jalisco win series vs. (#1) Culiacan Tomateros; 4-2.
• (#3) Yaquis de Obregon vs. (#4) Venados de Mazatlan series tied 3-3.
• 1/9 UPDATE: (#4) Venados de Mazatlan win series vs. Yaquis de Obregon; 4-3

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Round Robin Standings: games run through Jan. 14

1. Estrellas de Orientales   7-5
2. Leones de Escogito        7-5
3. Toros de Este                 7-5
4. Tigres de Licey               3-9

Player Affiliations:

• Orientales:  40 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Matt Pobereyko); 7 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Escogito:  41 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Arquimedess; Carlos Hernandez); 12 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Toros de Estes:  40 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Jenrry Mejia; Tim Peterson; Dominic Smith); 16 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Licey:  38 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Dilson Herrera; Rymer Liriano); 13 listed on 40-man rosters.

PUERTO RICO

Round Robin Standings: games run through Jan. 21

1. Indios de Mayaguez          4-0
2. Cangrejeros de Santurce  2-2
3. Gigantes de Carolina        0-4

Player Affiliations:

• Mayaguez:  28 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Thomas Nido TJ Rivera; Joshua Torres); 7 listed on 40-man rosters.  
• Santurce:  9 MLB affiliated players; 2 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Carolina:  15 MLB affiliated players; 1 listed on 40-man roster.

VENEZUELA

Round One: games runs through Jan. 11

• (#5) Cardenales de Lara win series vs. (#2) Bravos de Margarita; 4-1
• (#6) Caribes de Anzoategui lead series vs. (#1) Navegantes de Magallanes; 3-2.
• (#3) Leones de Caracas lead series vs. (#4) Tigres de Aragua; 3-2
• Game Six: Jan. 10
• Game Seven (if necessary): Jan. 11

Player Affiliations:

• Magallanes:  18 MLB affiliated players; 3 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Margarita:  24 MLB affiliated players; 3 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Caracas:  16 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Luis Carpio); 2 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Aragua:  19 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Jose Garcia); 6 listed on 40-man rosters.
• Lara:  30 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Roberts Colina; Boris Sanchez; Edward Paredes); 1 listed on 40-man roster.
• Anzoategui:  20 MLB affiliated players (NYM-Yeizo Campos); 3 listed on 40-man rosters.

CUBA: BeisbolCUBA

(#1-Wild Card Round/Field of Sixteen/45 Game Schedule) Villa Clara finish first with 28-17 record.
(#2-Second Stage/Top Six/60 Game Schedule) Las Tunas finish first with 34-26 record.

Round Three/Semi-Finals: best of seven

• (#1) Las Tunas lead series vs. (#4) Ciego de Avila; 3-0.
• (#2) Villa Clara leads series vs. (#3) Santi Spiritus; 3-1.

Winners advance to Grand Final Series.

* NOTE: no distinction made between active/reserve affiliated players.