Lobos de Arecibo
Encyclopedia
Lobos de Arecibo are a professional baseball
team in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League
, based in Arecibo
. The Lobos won the 1983 national baseball championship and the 1983 Caribbean World Series
, the only time the franchise won both titles.
prospect Dickie Thon
, then also of the Houston Astros
, on their roster. Thon then suffered a life-threatening and career-affecting eye injury during an Astros game in 1984.
The Lobos won the national baseball championship again in 1996, a team that included Philadelphia Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal; but performed poorly in the Caribbean series, which was won in Mexico by the Tomateros de Culiacán
.
The Lobos ceased operation in 1999.
. But for the 2005-2006 season, the team was acquired by a sports-loving local doctor who, with his fellow townsfolk in mind, returned the team to its rightful place.
Facing only 28 days in which to prepare the Luis Rodriguez Olmo stadium for play after six years of neglect, the citizens of Arecibo, together with state and local officials, performed what has been known as the "Milagro Lobo" or the miracle of the wolf, returning its infrastructure to more than acceptable conditions in such a short period of time.
was suspended due to rain. On November 29, 2009, the Lobos lost to the Águilas Cibaeñas
in inter-league action. The following night, the team won their eight game of the season, defeating the Leones del Escogido. In the third game of this inter-league series, the Lobos defeated the Estrellas Orientales
. During the trade stage, the team's general manager, Pachy Rodríguez, expressed satisfaction with the acquisition of Héctor Pellot from the Criollos in exchange for Adrián Ortiz.
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 the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League
Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League
The Puerto Rico Baseball League formerly known as Liga de Béisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico or LBPPR, is the main professional baseball league in Puerto Rico. In 2007, the LBPPR recessed for the first time since its creation...
, based in Arecibo
Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Arecibo is a municipality in the northern midwest coast of Puerto Rico and located by the Atlantic Ocean, north of Utuado and Ciales; east of Hatillo; and west of Barceloneta, and Florida. Arecibo is spread over 18 wards and Arecibo Pueblo...
. The Lobos won the 1983 national baseball championship and the 1983 Caribbean World Series
Caribbean World Series
The 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...
, the only time the franchise won both titles.
History
During their successful run in the 1980s, the Lobos had MLBMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
prospect Dickie Thon
Dickie Thon
Richard William "Dickie" Thon is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball.- Early life :Thon was raised in Puerto Rico after spending only the first two weeks of his life in Indiana where his father had just completed a bachelor's degree at the University of Notre Dame.- Professional career :He...
, then also of the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, on their roster. Thon then suffered a life-threatening and career-affecting eye injury during an Astros game in 1984.
The Lobos won the national baseball championship again in 1996, a team that included Philadelphia Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal; but performed poorly in the Caribbean series, which was won in Mexico by the Tomateros de Culiacán
Tomateros de Culiacán
The Tomateros de Culiacán are a baseball team in the Mexican Pacific League. Based in Culiacán, the Tomateros have won nine domestic titles and two Caribbean World Series, in and in...
.
The Lobos ceased operation in 1999.
Return of the Lobos
After six years without the team, Arecibo saw the return of the Lobos in 2005. The team had spent that time in various cities, under names like the San Juan Senators and even one year with the historic moniker of the Cangrejeros de SanturceSanturce Crabbers (baseball)
The Cangrejeros de Santurce were a professional baseball team based in Santurce, the largest barrio of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The franchise joined the Puerto Rico Baseball League since it was the semi-professional Liga de Béisbol Semi-Profesional de Puerto Rico...
. But for the 2005-2006 season, the team was acquired by a sports-loving local doctor who, with his fellow townsfolk in mind, returned the team to its rightful place.
Facing only 28 days in which to prepare the Luis Rodriguez Olmo stadium for play after six years of neglect, the citizens of Arecibo, together with state and local officials, performed what has been known as the "Milagro Lobo" or the miracle of the wolf, returning its infrastructure to more than acceptable conditions in such a short period of time.
Puerto Rico Baseball League
On November 18, 2009, the Lobos defeated the Indios. A scheduled game against the Leones del EscogidoLeones del Escogido
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...
was suspended due to rain. On November 29, 2009, the Lobos lost to the 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...
in inter-league action. The following night, the team won their eight game of the season, defeating the Leones del Escogido. In the third game of this inter-league series, the Lobos defeated the 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:...
. During the trade stage, the team's general manager, Pachy Rodríguez, expressed satisfaction with the acquisition of Héctor Pellot from the Criollos in exchange for Adrián Ortiz.