2009 Caribbean Series
Encyclopedia
The LI edition of the Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was played in . It was held from February 2 through February 7 with the champions teams from Dominican Republic
(Tigres del Licey
), Mexico
(Venados de Mazatlán
), Puerto Rico
(Leones de Ponce
) and Venezuela
(Tigres de Aragua
). The format consisted of 12 games, each team facing the other teams twice. The games were played at Estadio Casas GEO
in Mexicali
, Baja California
, Mexico
.
, the Venezuelan club took the top spot much more than expected, especially considering the absence of big name stars, which was compensated by playing small-ball
. In addition, the opportune hitting and sharp defense were bolstered by above average running speed and strong bullpen
support. Venezuela clinched the title with a 5–3 win over host Mexico before an overflow crowd at Mexicali's stadium. Closer Francisco Buttó
set records with more saves
in a series (4) and most saves in series history (6, including 2007
and 2008
editions), which was enough to be named the Most Valuable Player of the series. Also were helping in the offense SS Luis Maza
(.300 batting average
), CF Selwin Langaigne (.280, three runs
, three RBI
) and 2B Ramón Castro
(.286 BA, four RBI). The team only committed three errors
and the pitching
staff posted a collective 2.41 earned run average
. Venezuela blasted only one home run
in the series, but it was a good one as first baseman
Héctor Giménez
' 12th-inning, walk-off
solo homer in Game 4 pushed the Tigers to a 1–0 victory over the Mexican team. The only winning starter on their staff was Horacio Estrada
(one earned run, three strikeout
s in 5 ⅓ innings of work). Other members of the team included starter Tim Harikkala
(0.00 ERA in six innings) and relievers Ronald Belisario
, Iván Blanco
, Marcos Carvajal
, Andrew Lorraine
and Víctor Moreno
; catching tandem of Alex Delgado
and Wilson Ramos
; DH
Raúl Chávez
; 3B
Luis Ugueto
, and outfielder
s Rodney Medina and Jackson Melián
.
Experienced Lorenzo Bundy
managed the Mexican club, represented by the Venados de Mazatlán, and finished in second place with a modest 3-3 mark. A strong offense
and solid defense (three errors) were not enough to compensate poor pitching and a lack of speed on the basepaths. Leading the offensive charge were Edgar Gonzalez
, who had the series' highest batting average at .423 (.454 OBP, .577 SLG), though his brother Adrian Gonzalez
did hit .286 with eight RBI and a .714 SLG, and hit three home runs in a game to set a series record. SS Héber Gómez (.368 BA, .474 SLG, five runs, three RBI) and RF Christian Quintero (.318 BA, three runs, three RBI) also carried much of the offensive weight. One of the few bright spots in the pitching staff was Walter Silva
, who posted a 1-1 record with 12 strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA in two starts. The roster also included veterans pitchers as Francisco Córdova
and Pablo Ortega; catcher Miguel Ojeda
; outfielder Rubén Rivera
, and infielders Freddy Sandoval
, Robert Saucedo and Oscar Robles
.
Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico finished tied in third place with a 2-4 record.
The defending champions Tigres del Licey, of Dominican Republic, was a pale shadow of the glorious franchise that won 10 series titles (three undefeated) and posted a 65-24 record (.730 percentage) in 15 appearances between 1971 and 2008. Managed by José Offerman
, the offense mustered little punch (.220 BA) and led the series with seven errors. The most prominent players were starters Alfredo Simón
(1-0, five hits, seven SO in 7.0 innings) and Ramón Ortiz
(1.42 ERA, five SO, 6 ⅓ innings); reliever Julio Mañón
(two saves), and DH Ronny Paulino
(.381 BA, .762 SLG, five RBI). Also were in the roster pitchers Wilton Chávez, Valerio de los Santos
, Julio Mateo
, José Mercedes
, Jailen Peguero
, Carlos Pérez, Oneli Pérez
and Jorge Sosa
; catcher Salvador Paniagua; infielders Erick Aybar
, Willy Aybar
, Ronnie Belliard
, Anderson Hernández
and D'Angelo Jiménez
, and outfielders José Bautista, Fernando Martínez
, Ricardo Nanita and Timo Pérez
.
Puerto Rico returned to the Series after a one-year absence, represented by the Leones de Ponce and managed by Eduardo Perez
, former big leaguer and ESPN Baseball Tonight
broadcaster. The Boricuas team outscored their rivals, 18–16, despite a negative record of 2-4. The pitching staff was led by Giancarlo Alvarado
(1-0, 16 SO and a 2.32 ERA in 11 ⅔ innings), and posted one of the two shutouts in the series, while the offense was paced by SS Luis Figueroa
(.389 BA, 4 RBI), 1B Carlos Rivera
(.360 BA, 4 RBI) and 2B Andy González (.333 BA, 4 RBI). The rest of the roster was filled with starters Josué Matos
(1-0, 5.0 innings), Héctor Mercado
(1.29 ERA, seven SO, 6 ⅔ innings) and Bill Pulsipher
(1.42 ERA, seven SO, 6 ⅓ innings); relievers Iván Maldonado
(one save, 4 SO, 3 ⅔ innings), Josh Rainwater (0.00 ERA, 5.0 innings) and Fernando Cabrera; catchers Eli Marrero
, Robinson Cancel
and Raúl Casanova
; infielders Fernando Cortez
and Iggy Suarez
, and outfielders Jesús Feliciano
and Raúl González
, among others. To fill the void last winter, Perez, who took over as Ponce's manager just one day before the start of the regular season, created the Winter Training Program for professional and amateur players on the island, and is cautiously optimistic that winter baseball in Puerto Rico is back to stay.
----
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
(Tigres del Licey
Tigres del Licey
Tigres del Licey is a professional baseball team founded in 1907 based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It is one of the two franchises of the Capital city of the country, the oldest and one of the most successful teams in the Dominican league, having won 22 Dominican titles and 10 Caribbean...
), Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
(Venados de Mazatlán
Venados de Mazatlán
Venados de Mazatlán are a baseball team in the Mexican Pacific League. In 2005, the team won the Mexican Pacific League Championship and went on to win their first Caribbean Series, which was played in Mazatlán.-2004-2005 Season:...
), Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
(Leones de Ponce
Leones de Ponce (baseball)
This article is about the Ponce baseball team. For the basketball team of the same name, see Ponce Lions .The Leones de Ponce are a baseball team in the Puerto Rico Baseball League. The organization is based in the municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico. The team plays at the Francisco Montaner Stadium...
) and Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
(Tigres de Aragua
Tigres de Aragua
The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay...
). The format consisted of 12 games, each team facing the other teams twice. The games were played at Estadio Casas GEO
Estadio Casas GEO
Estadio Casas GEO, also known as Estadio Nido de los Aguilas, is a stadium in Mexicali, Mexico. It is primarily used for baseball and serves as the home stadium for Águilas de Mexicali...
in Mexicali
Mexicali
Mexicali is the capital of the State of Baja California, seat of the Municipality of Mexicali, and 2nd largest city in Baja California. The City of Mexicali has a population of 689,775, according to the 2010 census, while the population of the entire metropolitan area reaches 936,826.The city...
, Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Summary
Tigres de Aragua of Venezuela clinched its first team Caribbean Series title and seventh as a country with a 5-1 record. Guided by Buddy BaileyBuddy Bailey
Welby Sheldon "Buddy" Bailey is the manager of the Daytona Cubs of the Class A Florida State League and a veteran skipper in minor league baseball. In , Bailey will spend his third consecutive season as Daytona's manager...
, the Venezuelan club took the top spot much more than expected, especially considering the absence of big name stars, which was compensated by playing small-ball
Small Ball
In the sport of baseball, small-ball is an informal and colloquial term for an offensive strategy in which the batting team emphasizes placing runners on base and then advancing them into position to score a run in a deliberate, methodical way...
. In addition, the opportune hitting and sharp defense were bolstered by above average running speed and strong bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
support. Venezuela clinched the title with a 5–3 win over host Mexico before an overflow crowd at Mexicali's stadium. Closer Francisco Buttó
Francisco Butto
Francisco Butto is a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies organization.Butto originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in as an undrafted free agent and advanced as high as Triple-A in for the New York Yankees...
set records with more saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
in a series (4) and most saves in series history (6, including 2007
2007 Caribbean Series
The IXIL edition of the Caribbean Series was played in 2007. It was held from February 2 through February 7 featuring the champions teams from Dominican Republic , Mexico , Puerto Rico and Venezuela...
and 2008
2008 Caribbean Series
The L edition of the Caribbean Series was played in . It was held from February 2 through February 7, featuring the champions teams from Mexico, Yaquis de Obregón; Venezuela, Tigres de Aragua, and two teams from Dominican Republic: Águilas Cibaeñas [1] and Tigres del Licey [2]...
editions), which was enough to be named the Most Valuable Player of the series. Also were helping in the offense SS Luis Maza
Luis Maza
Luis Alberto Maza is an infielder in Major League Baseball, who is currently playing for Bbc Grosseto in the Italian Baseball League. Listed at 5'9", 180 lb., he bats and throws right-handed...
(.300 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
), CF Selwin Langaigne (.280, three runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, three RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
) and 2B Ramón Castro
Ramón A. Castro
Ramón Alfredo Castro Munoz is a Major League Baseball infielder and plays for the York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball....
(.286 BA, four RBI). The team only committed three errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
and the pitching
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
staff posted a collective 2.41 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. Venezuela blasted only one home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in the series, but it was a good one as first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Héctor Giménez
Héctor Giménez
Héctor Eliner Giménez [Ec-tor he-MEH-nes] is a catcher in Major League Baseball. Giménez is a switch hitter and throws right-handed.-Houston Astros:...
' 12th-inning, walk-off
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
solo homer in Game 4 pushed the Tigers to a 1–0 victory over the Mexican team. The only winning starter on their staff was Horacio Estrada
Horacio Estrada
Horacio Estrada Jimenez is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher who currently is a free agent.Estrada played with the Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies...
(one earned run, three strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s in 5 ⅓ innings of work). Other members of the team included starter Tim Harikkala
Tim Harikkala
Timothy Allan Harikkala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He is an alumnus of Florida Atlantic University....
(0.00 ERA in six innings) and relievers Ronald Belisario
Ronald Belisario
Ronald J. Belisario is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Baseball career:...
, Iván Blanco
Iván Blanco
Iván Blanco is a baseball pitcher.Blanco signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Mariners in 2000. He represented Venezuela in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.-External links:...
, Marcos Carvajal
Marcos Carvajal
Marcos Jose Carvajal [car-va-HAL] is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. George Roadrunners of the Golden Baseball League....
, Andrew Lorraine
Andrew Lorraine
Andrew Jason Lorraine is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from -. He also played for the La New Bears in Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League....
and Víctor Moreno
Víctor Moreno
Víctor Hugo Moreno is a set-up relief pitcher who is currently in the Detroit Tigers organization. He bats and throws right-handed...
; catching tandem of Alex Delgado
Alex Delgado
Alexander Delgado is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox in the season...
and Wilson Ramos
Wilson Ramos
Wilson Abraham Ramos is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Washington Nationals. He is 6' tall, weighs 221 lbs., and throws and bats right-handed. He signed with the Minnesota Twins as a non-drafted free agent on July 7, ....
; DH
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
Raúl Chávez
Raúl Chávez
Raúl Alexander Chávez is a Major League Baseball catcher who is currently a member of the New York Mets organization...
; 3B
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
Luis Ugueto
Luis Ugueto
Luis Enrique Ugueto [oo-ge-to] is a Major League Baseball second baseman and switch-hitter who is currently a free agent...
, and outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
s Rodney Medina and Jackson Melián
Jackson Melián
Jackson Melián is a former minor league baseball outfielder who reached Triple-A.-Career:Melián, represented by Scott Boras, was signed as an international free agent by the New York Yankees in 1996, receiving a $1.6 million bonus.Melián was considered a top prospect...
.
Experienced Lorenzo Bundy
Lorenzo Bundy
Charles Lorenzo Bundy is the former first base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks and current manager of the Albuquerque Isotopes.-Playing career:...
managed the Mexican club, represented by the Venados de Mazatlán, and finished in second place with a modest 3-3 mark. A strong offense
Offense (sports)
In sports, offense or offence , also known as attack, is the action of attacking or engaging an opposing team with the objective of scoring points or goals...
and solid defense (three errors) were not enough to compensate poor pitching and a lack of speed on the basepaths. Leading the offensive charge were Edgar Gonzalez
Edgar González (baseball)
Édgar Gerardo González Elizondo is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher who is currently in the Oakland Athletics organization....
, who had the series' highest batting average at .423 (.454 OBP, .577 SLG), though his brother Adrian Gonzalez
Adrián González
Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he...
did hit .286 with eight RBI and a .714 SLG, and hit three home runs in a game to set a series record. SS Héber Gómez (.368 BA, .474 SLG, five runs, three RBI) and RF Christian Quintero (.318 BA, three runs, three RBI) also carried much of the offensive weight. One of the few bright spots in the pitching staff was Walter Silva
Walter Silva
Walter Silva is a professional baseball pitcher, currently playing for the Sultanes de Monterrey in the Mexican League. He pitched part of for the San Diego Padres.-Baseball career:...
, who posted a 1-1 record with 12 strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA in two starts. The roster also included veterans pitchers as Francisco Córdova
Francisco Cordova
Francisco Córdova is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from - and who is currently playing in the Mexican Triple-A League for the Petroleros de Minatitlán.-Career:On January 18, 1996, Córdova was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as...
and Pablo Ortega; catcher Miguel Ojeda
Miguel Ojeda
Miguel Arturo Ojeda is a Mexican professional baseball catcher with the Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican League.Ojeda played in Major League Baseball from 2003-2006. He made his debut with the San Diego Padres on May 17, 2003....
; outfielder Rubén Rivera
Ruben Rivera
Rubén Rivera Moreno is a professional baseball player, who is currently an outfielder for the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League. He played Major League Baseball for five different teams, from to...
, and infielders Freddy Sandoval
Freddy Sandoval
Freddy Carol Sandoval Herrera is a Major League Baseball third baseman. Sandoval played his collegiate baseball at the University of San Diego, and was part of two conference championship teams during his career there....
, Robert Saucedo and Oscar Robles
Oscar Robles
Oscar Manuel Robles Arenas is a Major League Baseball infielder. He currently plays for the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League....
.
Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico finished tied in third place with a 2-4 record.
The defending champions Tigres del Licey, of Dominican Republic, was a pale shadow of the glorious franchise that won 10 series titles (three undefeated) and posted a 65-24 record (.730 percentage) in 15 appearances between 1971 and 2008. Managed by José Offerman
José Offerman
José Antonio Offerman Dono is a former professional baseball player who played professional baseball for nearly 20 years...
, the offense mustered little punch (.220 BA) and led the series with seven errors. The most prominent players were starters Alfredo Simón
Alfredo Simón
Alfredo Simón Cabrera is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher with the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball. From 2001 through part of 2004 he pitched under the name Carlos Cabrera.-Minor leagues:...
(1-0, five hits, seven SO in 7.0 innings) and Ramón Ortiz
Ramón Ortiz
Ramón Diógenes Ortiz is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has previously pitched in Major League Baseball for the Anaheim Angels, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs as well as the Orix...
(1.42 ERA, five SO, 6 ⅓ innings); reliever Julio Mañón
Julio Manon
Julio Alberto Mañón [mah'-nion] is a relief pitcher for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball....
(two saves), and DH Ronny Paulino
Ronny Paulino
Ronny Leonel Paulino is a professional baseball player. He currently plays catcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
(.381 BA, .762 SLG, five RBI). Also were in the roster pitchers Wilton Chávez, Valerio de los Santos
Valerio de los Santos
Valerio Lorenzo de los Santos is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently playing for the independent Long Island Ducks....
, Julio Mateo
Julio Mateo
Julio Cesar Mateo is a Major League Baseball pitcher. The 6’ tall 220 lb Mateo bats and throws right-handed. He was signed by the Seattle Mariners as a non-drafted free agent on May 15, ....
, José Mercedes
José Mercedes
José Miguel Mercedes Santana is a professional baseball pitcher. He currently plays for the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. He also played Major League Baseball from - for the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, and Montreal Expos.-External links:...
, Jailen Peguero
Jailen Peguero
Jailen Lorenzo Peguero is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher in the Houston Astros organization. His uncle, Leo Peguero, was a minor league player in the Yankees organization...
, Carlos Pérez, Oneli Pérez
Oneli Pérez
Oneli M. Pérez Garcia is a Dominican professional baseball player.-Biography:Pérez was born in Bonao, Dominican Republic....
and Jorge Sosa
Jorge Sosa
Jorge Bolivar Sosa is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent. Sosa stands at 6'2" tall and reportedly weighs 218 pounds...
; catcher Salvador Paniagua; infielders Erick Aybar
Erick Aybar
Erick Johan Aybar is a Major League Baseball shortstop with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Dominican Republic:Aybar has also previously played in the Dominican Republic...
, Willy Aybar
Willy Aybar
Willy Del Jesus Aybar is an infielder who currently plays for the Yuma Scorpions in the North American League. Aybar has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Tampa Bay Rays...
, Ronnie Belliard
Ronnie Belliard
Ronald "Ronnie" Belliard is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman of Dominican descent.-Early life:Belliard attended Central High School in Miami, Florida...
, Anderson Hernández
Anderson Hernández
Anderson Hernández is a middle infielder in Anderson Hernández is a middle [[infielder]] in Anderson Hernández is a middle [[infielder]] in [[Major League Baseball]...
and D'Angelo Jiménez
D'Angelo Jiménez
D'Angelo Jiménez is a Major League Baseball player who is currently in the Minnesota Twins organization. He is an infielder that plays primarily second base. He made his major league debut with the New York Yankees in .In , Jiménez appeared in a game as a pitcher for the San Diego Padres...
, and outfielders José Bautista, Fernando Martínez
Fernando Martínez (baseball)
Jesús Fernando Martínez Álvarez is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder. He is a current Free agent, and last played for the orginization o fht eNew York Mets appearing several times in the majors, in center-field.-Career:...
, Ricardo Nanita and Timo Pérez
Timo Pérez
Timoniel M. "Timo" Pérez is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Detroit Tigers organization.-Hiroshima Toyo Carp:...
.
Puerto Rico returned to the Series after a one-year absence, represented by the Leones de Ponce and managed by Eduardo Perez
Eduardo Perez
Eduardo Atanasio Pérez, a Cuban-American is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is currently the hitting coach of the Miami Marlins. He batted and threw right-handed and joined the league in after playing college baseball under head coach Mike Martin for the...
, former big leaguer and ESPN Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight is a program that airs on ESPN. The show, which recapitulates the day's Major League Baseball action, has been on the air since 1990.-Air times:...
broadcaster. The Boricuas team outscored their rivals, 18–16, despite a negative record of 2-4. The pitching staff was led by Giancarlo Alvarado
Giancarlo Alvarado
Giancarlo Alvarado is a former minor league pitcher currently with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Central League....
(1-0, 16 SO and a 2.32 ERA in 11 ⅔ innings), and posted one of the two shutouts in the series, while the offense was paced by SS Luis Figueroa
Luis Figueroa
Luis R. Figueroa is a Major League Baseball infielder who is presently in the minor league system of the New York Mets...
(.389 BA, 4 RBI), 1B Carlos Rivera
Carlos Rivera (baseball)
Carlos Alberto Rivera is a Major League Baseball first baseman who is currently with the Petroleros de Minatitlan in the Mexican Baseball League. He played two seasons at the major league level for the Pittsburgh Pirates.He was drafted by the Pirates in the 10th round of the 1996 Major League...
(.360 BA, 4 RBI) and 2B Andy González (.333 BA, 4 RBI). The rest of the roster was filled with starters Josué Matos
Josué Matos
Josué Matos has spent over a decade in pro baseball and has pitched at times for the Puerto Rican national team.Matos was picked in the 27th round of the 1996 amateur draft by the Seattle Mariners as a draft-and-follow selection...
(1-0, 5.0 innings), Héctor Mercado
Hector Mercado
Héctor Luis Mercado is a former professional baseball pitcher, born in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Mercado played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball, as well as one season in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. Mercado was listed at 6' 3" in height, and 235 lb. in weight...
(1.29 ERA, seven SO, 6 ⅔ innings) and Bill Pulsipher
Bill Pulsipher
William Thomas Pulsipher is a professional baseball pitcher. Pulsipher, a left-handed pitcher, has played in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals over six seasons from to . He currently plays for the Somerset...
(1.42 ERA, seven SO, 6 ⅓ innings); relievers Iván Maldonado
Iván Maldonado
Iván Maldonado Oquendo is Puerto pitcher for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball...
(one save, 4 SO, 3 ⅔ innings), Josh Rainwater (0.00 ERA, 5.0 innings) and Fernando Cabrera; catchers Eli Marrero
Eli Marrero
Elieser Marrero , is a former Major League Baseball player. Marrero started his career as a catcher, but spent time at first base, third base and in the outfield....
, Robinson Cancel
Robinson Cancel
Robinson Cancel is a catcher in Major League Baseball who is currently with the Houston Astros. He made his major league debut for the Brewers on September 3, 1999....
and Raúl Casanova
Raul Casanova
Raul Casanova was a Major League Baseball catcher from 1996 to 2008 with the exception of 1999 and 2006.-Minor leagues:He was drafted 220th overall, in the eighth round of the draft by the New York Mets....
; infielders Fernando Cortez
Fernando Cortez
Fernando Cortez is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently with the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. His most recent Major League Baseball team was the Kansas City Royals.Cortez was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 9th round of the 2001 Major...
and Iggy Suarez
Iggy Suarez
Ignacio Antonio Suarez is a minor league shortstop for the Lancaster Barnstormers. He started the 2009 season playing for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. Suarez was called up to Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox on April 24, 2009.-External links:* *...
, and outfielders Jesús Feliciano
Jesús Feliciano
Jesús Feliciano is a Puerto Rican professional baseball player. He currently plays for the New York Mets organization...
and Raúl González
Raúl González (baseball)
Victor Raúl González is a free agent Major League Baseball outfielder. He bats and throws right-handed....
, among others. To fill the void last winter, Perez, who took over as Ponce's manager just one day before the start of the regular season, created the Winter Training Program for professional and amateur players on the island, and is cautiously optimistic that winter baseball in Puerto Rico is back to stay.
----
| Final standings | |||||
| Country | Club | W | L | W/L % | GB |
 VenezuelaVenezuela Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south... |
Tigres de Aragua Tigres de Aragua The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay... |
5 | 1 | .833 | – |
 MexicoMexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... |
Venados de Mazatlán Venados de Mazatlán Venados de Mazatlán are a baseball team in the Mexican Pacific League. In 2005, the team won the Mexican Pacific League Championship and went on to win their first Caribbean Series, which was played in Mazatlán.-2004-2005 Season:... |
3 | 3 | .500 | 2.0 |
 Dominican RepublicDominican Republic The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries... |
Tigres de Licey | 2 | 4 | .333 | 3.0 |
 Puerto RicoPuerto Rico Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an... |
Leones de Ponce Leones de Ponce (baseball) This article is about the Ponce baseball team. For the basketball team of the same name, see Ponce Lions .The Leones de Ponce are a baseball team in the Puerto Rico Baseball League. The organization is based in the municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico. The team plays at the Francisco Montaner Stadium... |
2 | 4 | .333 | 3.0 |
| Individual leaders | |||||
| Player | Statistic | ||||
| Edgar Gonzalez Edgar Gonzalez (infielder) Edgar Victor Gonzalez is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently in the San Francisco Giants organization.-Tampa Bay Devil Rays:... (MEX) |
Batting average Batting average Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :... |
.423 | |||
| Adrian Gonzalez Adrián González Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he... (MEX) |
Home run Home run In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process... s |
3 | |||
| Adrian Gonzalez Adrián González Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he... (MEX) |
RBI | 8 | |||
| Héber Gómez / (MEX) | Runs Run (baseball) In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured... |
7 | |||
| Edgar Gonzalez Edgar Gonzalez (infielder) Edgar Victor Gonzalez is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently in the San Francisco Giants organization.-Tampa Bay Devil Rays:... (MEX) |
Hits Hit (baseball) In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice.... |
11 | |||
| Luis Maza Luis Maza Luis Alberto Maza is an infielder in Major League Baseball, who is currently playing for Bbc Grosseto in the Italian Baseball League. Listed at 5'9", 180 lb., he bats and throws right-handed... (VEN) |
Doubles Double (baseball) In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice.... |
3 | |||
| Edgar Gonzalez Edgar Gonzalez (infielder) Edgar Victor Gonzalez is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently in the San Francisco Giants organization.-Tampa Bay Devil Rays:... (MEX) |
Triples Triple (baseball) In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice.... |
1 | |||
| Anderson Hernández Anderson Hernández Anderson Hernández is a middle infielder in Anderson Hernández is a middle [[infielder]] in Anderson Hernández is a middle [[infielder]] in [[Major League Baseball]... (DOM) Luis Ugueto Luis Ugueto Luis Enrique Ugueto [oo-ge-to] is a Major League Baseball second baseman and switch-hitter who is currently a free agent... (VEN) |
Stolen base Stolen base In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate... s |
2 | |||
| Edgar Gonzalez Edgar Gonzalez (infielder) Edgar Victor Gonzalez is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently in the San Francisco Giants organization.-Tampa Bay Devil Rays:... (MEX) |
OBP | .469 | |||
| Adrian Gonzalez Adrián González Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he... (MEX) |
SLG | .714 | |||
| Adrian Gonzalez Adrián González Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he... (MEX) |
OPS On-base plus slugging On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League... |
1.114 | |||
| Twelve tied | Wins Win (baseball) In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only... |
1 | |||
| Giancarlo Alvarado Giancarlo Alvarado Giancarlo Alvarado is a former minor league pitcher currently with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Central League.... (PRI) |
Strikeout Strikeout In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters.... s |
16 | |||
| Walter Silva Walter Silva Walter Silva is a professional baseball pitcher, currently playing for the Sultanes de Monterrey in the Mexican League. He pitched part of for the San Diego Padres.-Baseball career:... (MEX) |
ERA Earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine... |
2.25 | |||
| Walter Silva Walter Silva Walter Silva is a professional baseball pitcher, currently playing for the Sultanes de Monterrey in the Mexican League. He pitched part of for the San Diego Padres.-Baseball career:... (MEX) |
Innings pitched Innings pitched In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two... |
12.0 | |||
| Francisco Buttó Francisco Butto Francisco Butto is a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies organization.Butto originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in as an undrafted free agent and advanced as high as Triple-A in for the New York Yankees... (VEN) |
Saves Save (sport) In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers... |
4 | |||
| Francisco Buttó Francisco Butto Francisco Butto is a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies organization.Butto originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in as an undrafted free agent and advanced as high as Triple-A in for the New York Yankees... (VEN) |
Games pitched Games pitched In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while... |
4 | |||
| Awards | |||||
| Francisco Buttó Francisco Butto Francisco Butto is a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies organization.Butto originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in as an undrafted free agent and advanced as high as Triple-A in for the New York Yankees... (VEN) |
Most Valuable Player Most Valuable Player In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests... |
||||
| Buddy Bailey Buddy Bailey Welby Sheldon "Buddy" Bailey is the manager of the Daytona Cubs of the Class A Florida State League and a veteran skipper in minor league baseball. In , Bailey will spend his third consecutive season as Daytona's manager... (VEN) |
Manager Manager (baseball) In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized... |
||||
| All-Star Team | |||||
| Name | Position | ||||
| Wilson Ramos Wilson Ramos Wilson Abraham Ramos is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Washington Nationals. He is 6' tall, weighs 221 lbs., and throws and bats right-handed. He signed with the Minnesota Twins as a non-drafted free agent on July 7, .... (VEN) |
catcher Catcher Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to... |
||||
| Adrian Gonzalez Adrián González Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he... (MEX) |
first baseman First baseman First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team... |
||||
| Edgar Gonzalez Edgar Gonzalez (infielder) Edgar Victor Gonzalez is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently in the San Francisco Giants organization.-Tampa Bay Devil Rays:... (MEX) |
second baseman Second baseman Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base... |
||||
| Luis Maza Luis Maza Luis Alberto Maza is an infielder in Major League Baseball, who is currently playing for Bbc Grosseto in the Italian Baseball League. Listed at 5'9", 180 lb., he bats and throws right-handed... (VEN) |
third baseman Third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run... |
||||
| Luis Figueroa Luis Figueroa Luis R. Figueroa is a Major League Baseball infielder who is presently in the minor league system of the New York Mets... (PRI) |
shortstop Shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the... |
||||
| Rodney Medina (VEN) | left fielder Left fielder In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
||||
| Selwyn Langaigne (VEN) | center fielder Center fielder A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field... |
||||
| Christian Quintero (MEX) | right fielder Right fielder A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
||||
| Ronny Paulino Ronny Paulino Ronny Leonel Paulino is a professional baseball player. He currently plays catcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball... (DOM) |
designated hitter Designated hitter In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to... |
||||
| Giancarlo Alvarado Giancarlo Alvarado Giancarlo Alvarado is a former minor league pitcher currently with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Central League.... (PRI) |
RH pitcher Pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the... |
||||
| Horacio Estrada Horacio Estrada Horacio Estrada Jimenez is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher who currently is a free agent.Estrada played with the Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies... (VEN) |
LH pitcher Pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the... |
||||
| Francisco Buttó Francisco Butto Francisco Butto is a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies organization.Butto originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in as an undrafted free agent and advanced as high as Triple-A in for the New York Yankees... (VEN) |
relief pitcher Relief pitcher A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter... |
||||
| Buddy Bailey Buddy Bailey Welby Sheldon "Buddy" Bailey is the manager of the Daytona Cubs of the Class A Florida State League and a veteran skipper in minor league baseball. In , Bailey will spend his third consecutive season as Daytona's manager... (VEN) |
manager Manager (baseball) In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized... |
||||
Game 1, February 2
- Note: Venezuela right-hander Brad Knox pitched hitless ball into the seventh inning.
Game 2, February 2
- Note: Starters Silva (11) and Giancarlo AlvaradoGiancarlo AlvaradoGiancarlo Alvarado is a former minor league pitcher currently with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Central League....
(11) and four relievers (5) combined
to set a series game record for most strikeouts (27).
Game 3, February 3
Game 4, February 3
Game 5, February 4
Game 6, February 4
- Note: With his three homers, Gonzalez set a CS record for most HR in a single game.
Game 7, February 5
Game 8, February 5
Game 9, February 6
Game 10, February 6
- Notes:
* Tigres de Aragua of Venezuela clinched its first team Caribbean World Series title and seventh as a country.
* Buttó set records with more saves in a series (4) and most saves in series history (6, including 20072007 Caribbean SeriesThe IXIL edition of the Caribbean Series was played in 2007. It was held from February 2 through February 7 featuring the champions teams from Dominican Republic , Mexico , Puerto Rico and Venezuela...
and 20082008 Caribbean SeriesThe L edition of the Caribbean Series was played in . It was held from February 2 through February 7, featuring the champions teams from Mexico, Yaquis de Obregón; Venezuela, Tigres de Aragua, and two teams from Dominican Republic: Águilas Cibaeñas [1] and Tigres del Licey [2]...
editions).
Game 11, February 7
Game 12, February 7
Television
- MLB NetworkMLB NetworkMLB Network is an American television specialty channel dedicated to professional baseball. It is primarily owned by Major League Baseball. Comcast, DirecTV, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications have minority ownership of the new network, with MLB retaining a controlling two-thirds share...
televised the 51st annual event, marking the first live games telecast on the baseball specialty channel. José Mota and Tom McCarthyTom McCarthy (broadcaster)Tom McCarthy is an American sports broadcaster. He is the play-by-play announcer for Philadelphia Phillies television broadcasts...
were the English play-by-play announcers, while Cookie RojasCookie RojasOctavio Victor Rojas Rivas , better known as Cookie Rojas, is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and outfielder who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals. After retiring as a player he went on to both coach and manage in the...
and Uri BerenguerUri BerenguerUri Berenguer-Ramos is the play-by-play announcer for the Boston Red Sox Spanish Beisbol Network.Berenguer joined the Spanish Beisbol Network in 2002 as a statistician, engineer, pregame and postgame host, and play-by-play announcer. He had previously worked as a statistician for WEEI and in the...
were the color commentators based in the network's studios in Secaucus, New JerseySecaucus, New JerseySecaucus is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 16,264. Located within the New Jersey Meadowlands, it is the most suburban of the county's municipalities, though large parts of the town are dedicated to light manufacturing, retail, and...
. When McCarthy took another assignment for a few days, Dan PlesacDan PlesacDaniel Thomas Plesac is a former Major League Baseball pitcher with an 18-year career from to . He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Philadelphia Phillies...
filled in on color as Berenguer took over play-by-play.
See also
Sources
- Antero Núñez, José. Series del Caribe. Impresos Urbina, Caracas, Venezuela.
- Araujo Bojórquez, Alfonso. Series del Caribe: Narraciones y estadísticas, 1949-2001. Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de Sinaloa, Mexico.
- Figueredo, Jorge S. Cuban Baseball: A Statistical History, 1878 - 1961. Macfarland & Co., United States.
- González Echevarría, Roberto. The Pride of Havana. Oxford University Express.
- Gutiérrez, Daniel. Enciclopedia del Béisbol en Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.