Leones del Escogido
Encyclopedia
Leones del Escogido are a professional baseball
team in Santo Domingo
, Dominican Republic
. Established in , Leones are the third most successful teams from the Dominican Winter League, behind Tigres del Licey
and Aguilas Cibaeñas
, having won 13 national championships and 3 Caribbean Series.
Leones defeated Gigantes del Cibao
5 games to 4 in the 2009-10 best-of-nine finals. The team also won the 2010 Caribbean Series.
, Felipe and Jesús
. The brothers hold the first, second and third spots in the team's record book for the following: games played, runs, at bats, hits, home run
s and RBIs. Matty and Felipe are one-two in several more categories, including bases on balls and stolen base
s. Felipe Alou is also the most successful manager, winning four championships.
, their rivals who share Estadio Quisqueya
in Santo Domingo
, after winning six of their ten regular season games against Licey. They followed this by winning the regular season with a 30-19 record, and won their thirteenth Winter League Championship, ending their 18 year National Championship drought. Leones represented the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Series, and won their third title with a 5-1 record.
Moises Alou
announced that Ken Oberkfell
will return to manage Leones del Escogido for the 2010-2011 season.
The team won their fourth straight City Championship Trophy this season, securing the season series with their win over Licey on 9 December.
Leones made it to the postseason, but failed to reach the finals, which were eventually won by Toros del Este.
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
Manager
60DayDL
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, Dominican Republic
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...
. Established in , Leones are the third most successful teams from the Dominican Winter League, behind 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...
and Aguilas Cibaeñas
Águilas Cibaeñas
The Águilas Cibaeñas are a team in the Dominican Republic's winter baseball league. Founded in and based in Santiago, they have won 5 Caribbean Series and 20 national titles. The Águilas have a large fan base in the Dominican Republic...
, having won 13 national championships and 3 Caribbean Series.
Leones defeated Gigantes del Cibao
Gigantes del Cibao
The Gigantes del Cibao are a baseball team that plays in the Dominican Winter League. The Gigantes have produced a number of successful major league ballplayers, including Albert Pujols and José Reyes....
5 games to 4 in the 2009-10 best-of-nine finals. The team also won the 2010 Caribbean Series.
History
The Leones record book is dominated by the Alou brothers: MattyMatty Alou
Mateo Rojas "Matty" Alou was a Dominican outfielder who spent fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates , St. Louis Cardinals , Oakland Athletics , New York Yankees and San Diego Padres...
, Felipe and Jesús
Jesús Alou
Jesús María Rojas Alou is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. During a 17-year baseball career, he played for the San Francisco Giants , Houston Astros , Oakland Athletics , and New York Mets...
. The brothers hold the first, second and third spots in the team's record book for the following: games played, runs, at bats, hits, 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 and RBIs. Matty and Felipe are one-two in several more categories, including bases on balls and 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. Felipe Alou is also the most successful manager, winning four championships.
2009-10 Season
The Leones enjoyed a very successful first year with new ownership. They won their third straight "City Championship Trophy" over Tigres del LiceyTigres 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...
, their rivals who share Estadio Quisqueya
Estadio Quisqueya
Estadio Quisqueya is a baseball stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It is often used as a multi-use stadium. The Quisqueya holds about 16,500 people after its renovation. The Dominican League Of Baseball Authority is in charge of its management...
in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, after winning six of their ten regular season games against Licey. They followed this by winning the regular season with a 30-19 record, and won their thirteenth Winter League Championship, ending their 18 year National Championship drought. Leones represented the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Series, and won their third title with a 5-1 record.
2010-11 Season
On 20 March 2010, General ManagerGeneral manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Moises Alou
Moisés Alou
Moisés Rojas Alou |Spanish:]] ; born July 3, 1966 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a former American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 17 seasons in the National League. In 1,942 career games, Alou had a batting average of .303 with 2,134 hits, 421 doubles, 332 home runs, and 1,287 runs...
announced that Ken Oberkfell
Ken Oberkfell
Kenneth Raymond Oberkfell is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman and ex-coach for the New York Mets. He played from 1977-1992 for six different teams. Oberkfell primarily played third base but was also known to play second base and both corner outfield positions...
will return to manage Leones del Escogido for the 2010-2011 season.
The team won their fourth straight City Championship Trophy this season, securing the season series with their win over Licey on 9 December.
Leones made it to the postseason, but failed to reach the finals, which were eventually won by Toros del Este.
Current roster
PitchersCatchers
Infielders
Outfielders
Manager
60DayDL
- None
Championship history
Leones del Escogido won the first championship in 1922 of a short-lived professional baseball era from 1922 to 1937, but only the current Winter League format established in 1951 is widely accepted.| Season | Champion | Manager | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955-56 | Leones del Escogido | Frank Genovese | Águilas Cibaeñas Águilas Cibaeñas The Águilas Cibaeñas are a team in the Dominican Republic's winter baseball league. Founded in and based in Santiago, they have won 5 Caribbean Series and 20 national titles. The Águilas have a large fan base in the Dominican Republic... |
| 1956-57 | Leones del Escogido | Red Davis Red Davis John Humphrey "Red" Davis was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball and a longtime manager in the minor leagues... |
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... |
| 1957-58 | Leones del Escogido | Salty Parker Salty Parker Francis James "Salty" Parker was a Major League Baseball infielder, coach and manager. Born in East St. Louis, Illinois, Parker played in the Major Leagues for one month from August 13, 1936 through September 16, 1936... |
Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales is a baseball team in the Dominican Winter League. Based in San Pedro de Macorís, the team has historically struggled, winning championships only in 1954 and 1968.-Retired numbers:-Trivia:... |
| 1959-60 | Leones del Escogido | Pete Reiser Pete Reiser Harold Patrick "Pete" Reiser , nicknamed "Pistol Pete," was an outfielder in Major League Baseball during the 1940s and early 1950s. He played primarily for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and later for the Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cleveland Indians.-Early career:A native of St... |
Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales is a baseball team in the Dominican Winter League. Based in San Pedro de Macorís, the team has historically struggled, winning championships only in 1954 and 1968.-Retired numbers:-Trivia:... |
| 1960-61 | Leones del Escogido | Pepe Lucas | Águilas Cibaeñas Águilas Cibaeñas The Águilas Cibaeñas are a team in the Dominican Republic's winter baseball league. Founded in and based in Santiago, they have won 5 Caribbean Series and 20 national titles. The Águilas have a large fan base in the Dominican Republic... |
| 1968-69 | Leones del Escogido | Andy Gilbert Andy Gilbert Andrew Gilbert was a Major League Baseball player and coach and a minor league manager. He was a center fielder during the 1942 and 1946 seasons... |
Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales is a baseball team in the Dominican Winter League. Based in San Pedro de Macorís, the team has historically struggled, winning championships only in 1954 and 1968.-Retired numbers:-Trivia:... |
| 1980-81 | Leones del Escogido | Felipe Rojas Alou | Águilas Cibaeñas Águilas Cibaeñas The Águilas Cibaeñas are a team in the Dominican Republic's winter baseball league. Founded in and based in Santiago, they have won 5 Caribbean Series and 20 national titles. The Águilas have a large fan base in the Dominican Republic... |
| 1981-82 | Leones del Escogido | Felipe Rojas Alou | Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales is a baseball team in the Dominican Winter League. Based in San Pedro de Macorís, the team has historically struggled, winning championships only in 1954 and 1968.-Retired numbers:-Trivia:... |
| 1987-88 | Leones del Escogido | Phil Regan Phil Regan (baseball player) Philip Ramond "the Vulture" Regan is a former professional baseball player.-Early life and high school:... |
Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales is a baseball team in the Dominican Winter League. Based in San Pedro de Macorís, the team has historically struggled, winning championships only in 1954 and 1968.-Retired numbers:-Trivia:... |
| 1988-89 | Leones del Escogido | Phil Regan Phil Regan (baseball player) Philip Ramond "the Vulture" Regan is a former professional baseball player.-Early life and high school:... |
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... |
| 1989-90 | Leones del Escogido | Felipe Rojas Alou | Águilas Cibaeñas Águilas Cibaeñas The Águilas Cibaeñas are a team in the Dominican Republic's winter baseball league. Founded in and based in Santiago, they have won 5 Caribbean Series and 20 national titles. The Águilas have a large fan base in the Dominican Republic... |
| 1991-92 | Leones del Escogido | Felipe Rojas Alou | Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales is a baseball team in the Dominican Winter League. Based in San Pedro de Macorís, the team has historically struggled, winning championships only in 1954 and 1968.-Retired numbers:-Trivia:... |
| 2009-10 | Leones del Escogido | Ken Oberkfell Ken Oberkfell Kenneth Raymond Oberkfell is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman and ex-coach for the New York Mets. He played from 1977-1992 for six different teams. Oberkfell primarily played third base but was also known to play second base and both corner outfield positions... |
Gigantes del Cibao Gigantes del Cibao The Gigantes del Cibao are a baseball team that plays in the Dominican Winter League. The Gigantes have produced a number of successful major league ballplayers, including Albert Pujols and José Reyes.... |
Caribbean Series Championships
Leones del Escogido have won three Caribbean Series in their history.| Year | Host City | Champion | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 1988 in baseball See also: 1988 Major League Baseball season-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Oakland Athletics ; Orel Hershiser, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dennis Eckersley... |
 Santo DomingoSanto Domingo Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River... |
Leones del Escogido |
4-2 |
| 1990 1998 in baseball -Headline events of the year:*Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey, Jr., and Greg Vaughn all hit 30 home runs before the All-Star break and engage in a historic chase for Roger Maris's single-season record of 61 home runs... |
 Miami |
Leones del Escogido |
5-1 |
| 2010 2010 in baseball -Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champions - San Francisco Giants**American League Champions - Texas Rangers**National League Champions - San Francisco Giants*Postseason - October 7 to November 4... |
 Margarita Island |
Leones del Escogido |
5-1 |
Notable players
- Felipe Alou
- Jesús AlouJesús AlouJesús María Rojas Alou is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. During a 17-year baseball career, he played for the San Francisco Giants , Houston Astros , Oakland Athletics , and New York Mets...
- Matty AlouMatty AlouMateo Rojas "Matty" Alou was a Dominican outfielder who spent fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates , St. Louis Cardinals , Oakland Athletics , New York Yankees and San Diego Padres...
- Joaquín AndújarJoaquín AndújarJoaquín Andújar is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who became one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball while playing with the St. Louis Cardinals in the mid-80s.-Early years:...
- Angel Baez Aquino
- Jose DeLeonJose DeLeonJosé DeLeón Chestaro is a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of thirteen seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos. He was the National League strikeout champion in 1989 with...
- Julio FrancoJulio FrancoJulio César Robles Franco is a former Major League Baseball infielder and designated hitter. In , Franco was the oldest active player in the major leagues at the age of 49....
- Pedro Guerrero
- Ramon Emilio Jimenez
- Rufino LinaresRufino LinaresRufino de la Cruz Linares was a professional baseball player who played four seasons for the Atlanta Braves and California Angels of Major League Baseball....
- Francisco LirianoFrancisco LirianoFrancisco Liriano y Casillas is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.-Professional career:...
- Pepe Lucas
- Juan MarichalJuan MarichalJuan Antonio Marichal Sánchez is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. Playing for the San Francisco Giants most of his career, Marichal was known for his high leg kick, pinpoint control and intimidation tactics, which included aiming pitches directly at the opposing batters'...
- Raúl MondesíRaúl MondesíRaúl Ramón Mondesí Avelino is a former Major League Baseball player and the current mayor of San Cristóbal Province in the Dominican Republic. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1994 as a right fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers...
- Jose "Makey" Moreno
- Jose Nuñez
- David OrtizDavid OrtizDavid Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox...
- Tony Polanco
- Luis PujolsLuis PujolsLuis Bienvenido Pujols Toribio was a catcher and manager in Major League Baseball. He played nine seasons with the Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, and Texas Rangers. Luis Pujols and St...
- Steve RatzerSteve RatzerSteven Wayne Ratzer is an American former Major League Baseball player. A pitcher, Ratzer played for the Montreal Expos from .-External links:...
- Tim RainesTim RainesTimothy Raines , nicknamed "Rock", is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos...
- Juan SamuelJuan SamuelJuan Milton Samuel is a retired second baseman who spent sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies , New York Mets , Los Angeles Dodgers , Kansas City Royals , Cincinnati Reds , Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays...
- Sammy SosaSammy SosaSamuel Peralta "Sammy" Sosa is a Dominican former professional baseball right fielder. Sosa played with four Major League Baseball teams over his career which spanned from 1989-2007....
- Mario SotoMario Soto (baseball)Mario Melvin Soto , is a former Major League pitcher, mostly as a starter, for the Cincinnati Reds from through . He currently works in the Reds' front office.-Major league career:...
- Tim WallachTim WallachTimothy Charles Wallach , nicknamed "Eli" in reference to actor Eli Wallach, is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, and California Angels. He won three Gold Glove awards for defensive excellence and 2 Silver Slugger...
- Enrique WilsonEnrique WilsonEnrique Wilson Marte is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He batted switch and threw right-handed....
- Alex RodriguezAlex RodriguezAlexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
- Juan UribeJuan UribeJuan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
- Rafael FurcalRafael FurcalRafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
- Neifi PerezNeifi PérezNeifi Neftali Pérez is a Major League baseball player who most recently played for the Detroit Tigers. He played with the Colorado Rockies , Kansas City Royals , San Francisco Giants , and the Chicago Cubs...
- Mario Brito
- Octavio DotelOctavio DotelOctavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
- Juan EncarnacionJuan EncarnaciónJuan De Dios Encarnación is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. His last major league team was the St. Louis Cardinals...
- Wilson BetemitWilson BetemitWilson Betemit is a Dominican professional baseball infielder. He is 6'2" and weighs 220 pounds...
- Wilton GuerreroWilton GuerreroWilton Alvaro Guerrero is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Montreal Expos , Cincinnati Reds , and Kansas City Royals ....
- Quinton McCrackenQuinton McCrackenQuinton Antoine McCracken is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of twelve seasons in Major League Baseball, and was the Tampa Bay Devil Rays franchise's first center fielder and batter on March 31, 1998....
See also
- Professional baseball in the Dominican RepublicProfessional baseball in the Dominican RepublicThe Dominican Professional Baseball League or LIDOM by its acronym in Spanish, is a winter professional baseball league consisting of six teams spread across the Dominican Republic; it is the top baseball league in that country...
- Tigres del LiceyTigres del LiceyTigres 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...
- Caribbean World SeriesCaribbean World SeriesThe Caribbean Series , also called the Caribbean World Series is the highest baseball tournament at club level in Latin America. The league winners from the Winter Leagues of Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela participate in the tournament...