1954 Caribbean Series

The sixth edition of the Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was played in 1954. It was held from February 18 through February 23, featuring the champion baseball teams from Cuba (Alacranes del Almendares), Panama (Carta Vieja Yankees), Puerto Rico ,(Criollos de Caguas) and Venezuela (Lácteos de Pastora). Lácteos de Pastora were the champion of the Liga Occidental de Béisbol Profesional rather than the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. The format consisted of 12 games, each team facing the other teams twice. The games were played at Sixto Escobar Stadium in San Juan, P.R..

Summary

Puerto Rico won the Series with a 4-2 record en route for a second straight championship (third overall). The Caguas club was managed by Mickey Owen and led by center fielder and Series MVP Jim Rivera, who posted a .400 batting average to lead the hitters. Caguas also received offensive support from 1B Víctor Pellot Power (.348) and 2B Jack Cassini (.333). Meanwhile, the pitching staff surrendered only 10 earned runs (2.00 ERA), being led by starters Corky Valentine (1-0, 1.00 ERA, five hits), Brooks Lawrence (1-0, 1.00, six hits) and Rubén Gómez (1-0, 2.00, five hits), while reliever Luis Arroyo added depth coming out of the bullpen (three appearances, 1-0, 0.00, 7⅓ innings). Puerto Rico also had Jack Sanford (P) in addition to Félix Mantilla (SS), Charlie Neal (IF) and Luis (Canena) Márquez.

Cuba, piloted by Bobby Bragan, had a 3-3 record to tie the second place with Panama. The Cuban squad got fine work of P Conrado Marrero (1-0, five-hit shutout), CF Sam Chapman (.391, homerun, .609 SLG) and RF Angel Scull (.391, .522 SLG). Other roster members included Julio Bécquer (1B), Joe Hatten (P), Cholly Naranjo (P) and Héctor Rodríguez (3B).

Panama was managed by Al Kubski and received a heroic pitching effort by starter Victor Stryska (2-0), who allowed just one earned run in 18 innings pitched. The attack was guided by 3B Joe Tuminelli (.391) and LF Bobby Prescott (.381), in an anemic lineup who batted a collective .255 average and scored 17 runs (fewest in the Series).

Venezuela was guided by Napoleón Reyes and finished in last place with a 2-4 record. Ramón Monzant (1-0, 3.00) and Ralph Beard (1-0, 7.20) got the victories, while Howie Fox collected a 2.58 ERA in two appearances but lose a decision. Bad luck starter Thornton Kipper dropped two decisions, losing his duels against Gómez (PR) and Stryska (PAN), while allowing four earned runs (2.12) in 17 innings. Besides, Emilio Cueche made two strong relief appearances and allowed just one earned run in 8⅔ innings of work. 3B Luis García provided the lone offensive threat with a .348 BA and a .563 SLG, including nine RBI to lead the Series hitters. Venezuela included Ed Bailey (C), Vernon Benson (SS), Tommy Byrne (P/1B), Wally Moon (CF), Johnny Temple and rookie Luis Aparicio (SS), among others.

Final standings

CountryClubWLW/L %Managers
Puerto Rico42.667Mickey Owen
Cuba33.500Bobby Bragan
Panama33.500Al Kubski
Venezuela24.333Napoleón Reyes

Individual leaders

PlayerStatistic
Batting
Jim Rivera (PUR)Batting average.450
Ray Orteig (CUB)Home runs    2
Luis García (VEN)RBI    9
Angel Scull (CUB)Runs    5
Jim Rivera (PUR)Hits    9
Víctor Pellot Power (PUR)
Bobby Prescott (PAN)
Doubles    3
Five players tiedTriples    1
Jack Cassini (PUR)Stolen bases    2
Pitching
Victor Stryska (PAN)Wins    2
Joe Hatten (CUB)Strikeouts  12
Victor Stryska (PAN)ERA0.50
Howie Fox (VEN)Saves    1
Victor Stryska (PAN)Innings pitched  18

All-Star team

NamePosition
Ray Orteig (CUB)Catcher
Víctor Pellot Power / (PUR)First baseman
Jack Cassini (PUR)Second baseman
Luis García (VEN)Third baseman
Vern Benson (VEN)Shortstop
Bobby Prescott / PANleft fielder
Jim Rivera / PRIcenter fielder
Sam Chapman / CUBright fielder
Victor Stryska / PANpitcher
Awards
Jim Rivera (PUR)Most Valuable Player
Mickey Owen (PUR)Manager

Scoreboards

Game 1, February 18

Team12345678RHE
Venezuela000100007103
Cuba211100005101
WP: Ralph Beard (1-0)   LP: Junior Walsh (0-1)   Sv: Howie Fox (1)
Home runs:
: None
CUB: Joe Hatten (1)
* Game was called after eight innings due to time limit.

Game 2, February 18

Team123456789RHE
Panama000001300471
Puerto Rico001000000181
WP: Victor Stryska (1-0)   LP: Jack Sanford (0-1)

Game 3, February 19

Team123456789RHE
Cuba02220040313161
Panama000000000  0  52
WP: Conrado Marrero (1-0)   LP: Humberto Robinson (0-1)
Home runs:
CUB: Ray Orteig 2 (2)
PAN: None

Game 4, February 19

Team123456789RHE
Puerto Rico000002010370
Venezuela000200000253
WP: Rubén Gómez (1-0)   LP: Thornton Kipper (0-1)
Home runs:
PUR: None
VEN: Luis García (1)
* Future Hall of Famer SS Luis Aparicio debuted in the Series.

Game 5, February 20

Team123456789RHE
Panama000020001365
Venezuela53001000X971
WP: Ramón Monzant (1-0)   LP: Cookie Stemple (0-1)
Home runs:
PAN: None
VEN: Billy Queen (1)

Game 6, February 20

Team123456789RHE
Puerto Rico000000300360
Cuba010000000160
WP: Brooks Lawrence (1-0)   LP: Cliff Fannin (0-1)
Home runs:
PUR: Bill Howerton (1), Ranee Pless (1)
CUB: Sam Chapman (1)

Game 7, February 21

Team12345678RHE
Cuba00400000471
Venezuela00001000193
WP: Clarence Lott (1-0)   LP: Howie Fox (0-1)
Home runs:
CUB: None
VEN:
* Game was called after eight innings due to time limit.

Game 8, February 21

Team1234567891011RHE
Puerto Rico201000000036120
Panama000100020003  83
WP: Luis Arroyo (1-0)   LP: Humberto Robinson (0-2)
Home runs:
PUR: None
PAN: Ray Dabek (1)

Game 9, February 22

Team123456789RHE
Panama000203000570
Cuba000100000122
WP: Bill Hockenbury (1-0)   LP: Bob Muncrief (0-1)

Game 10, February 22

Team123456789RHE
Venezuela100000000152
Puerto Rico23002000X780
WP: Corky Valentine (1-0)   LP: Ralph Beard (1-1)

Game 11, February 23

Team123456789RHE
Venezuela0000100001  11
Panama0000100012102
WP: Victor Stryska (2-0)   LP: Thornton Kipper (0-2)

Game 12, February 23

Team123456789RHE
Cuba400000000471
Puerto Rico001010000264
WP: Junior Walsh (1-1)   LP: Chi-Chi Olivo (0-1)

 

See also

Sources

  • Antero Núñez, José. Series del Caribe. Jefferson, Caracas, Venezuela: Impresos Urbina, C.A., 1987.
  • Gutiérrez, Daniel. Enciclopedia del Béisbol en Venezuela – 1895-2006 . Caracas, Venezuela: Impresión Arte, C.A., 2007.

   

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