1973 Caribbean Series

The sixteenth edition of the Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was played in 1973. It was held from February 1 through February 6 with the champions teams from Dominican Republic (Tigres del Licey), Mexico (Yaquis de Obregón), Puerto Rico (Cangrejeros de Santurce) and Venezuela (Leones del Caracas). The format consisted of 12 games, each team facing the other teams twice, and the games were played at UCV Stadium in Caracas, Venezuela. The Series was played to honor the memory of Roberto Clemente, who died on December 31, 1972, during a humanitarian mission to assist victims of the 1972 Nicaragua earthquake.

Summary

The powerful Dominican Republic team, managed by Tommy Lasorda, captured the competition with a 5-1 record, with the only defeat coming from Venezuela in Game 4. The Dominicans hit a collective .329 average, committed only three errors, and outscored their rivals 44-19. Pedro Borbón (2-0) led the pitching staff, while OFs Jesús Alou and Manny Mota tied in the race for the batting title, with a .500 average (12-for-24). SS Bobby Valentine, who provided opportune hitting and a sharp defense, was named Series Most Valuable Player. The team also featured Ps Bruce Ellingsen, Lerrin LaGrow, Charlie Hough and Dick Tidrow; C Steve Yeager; IFs Jim Spencer (1B), Ted Martínez (2B) and Steve Garvey (3B), and OFs Elvio Jiménez and Von Joshua.

The Puerto Rico and Venezuela teams, managed by Frank Robinson and Ozzie Virgil respectively, were not rivals for the Dominicans and tied in second place with a 3-3 record.

Puerto Rico's victories came behind pitching efforts from Doyle Alexander, (2-0, 1.20 ERA, 13.0 IP) and Juan Pizarro (1-1, 5.25 ERA, 12.0 IP). Other significant players in the roster included Ps Lloyd Allen, Roger Moret, Bob Reynolds, Ramón Hernández and Mike Strahler; C Elrod Hendricks; IFs Tony Pérez (1B), Jerry DaVanon (2B), Ron Cey (3B) and Juan Beníquez (SS); Ofs Don Baylor (LF), José Cruz (CF) and Willie Crawford, and utilities Julio Gotay (IF) and Angel Mangual (OF).

Venezuela divided wins and losses against each team. RF César Tovar (.385 BA) and 1B Gonzalo Márquez (.381 BA) paced the offense, while Diego Seguí pitched a complete game, seven-hit shutout with 15 strikeouts. Other support came from P Milt Wilcox (1-1, 3.27 ERA), 3B Manny Trillo (.476 SLG, five RBI) and C Joe Ferguson (.423 SLG, five RBI). The rest of the roster included P Ed Acosta, OF Tony Armas, SS Bert Campaneris, P Reggie Cleveland, CF Víctor Davalillo, OF Bobby Darwin, 2B Gustavo Gil, C Dave Ricketts and P Ed Sprague, among others.

The Mexicans, with Dave Garcia at the helm, posted a 1-5 record and finished in last place. Their only victory came against Venezuela, 3–1, behind the combined pitching performance of the Romo brothers (Vicente and Enrique) and closer Al Hrabosky. Also in the roster were 1B Jim Campanis, Ps Maximino León and Rich Troedson, 3B Dave Hilton, and OF Matt Alexander.

Final standings
ClubWLW/L %GB  Managers
Dominican Republic51.833   Tommy Lasorda
Puerto Rico33.5002.0  Frank Robinson
Venezuela33.5002.0  Ozzie Virgil
Mexico15.1674.0  Dave Garcia
Individual leaders
Player/ClubStatistic
Jesús Alou / DOM
Manny Mota / DOM
Batting average.500
Thirteen tiedHome runs    1
Jesús Alou / DOM
Steve Yeager / DOM
RBI    7
Jesús Alou / DOMRuns    5
César Tovar / VENHits  10
Five tiedDoubles    2
Three tiedTriples    1
Four tiedStolen bases    1
Doyle Alexander / PRI
Pedro Borbón / DOM
Wins    2
Diego Seguí / VENStrikeouts  17
Diego Seguí / VENERA0.00
Al Hrabosky / MEX
Bob Reynolds / PRI
Saves    1
Pedro Borbón / DOMInnings pitched14 ⅔
Awards
Bobby Valentine / DOMMost Valuable Player
Tommy Lasorda / DOMManager
All-Star Team
Name/ClubPosition
Steve Yeager / DOMcatcher
Gonzalo Márquez / VENfirst baseman
Gustavo Gil / VENsecond baseman
Steve Garvey / DOMthird baseman
Bobby Valentine / DOMshortstop
Jesús Alou / DOMleft fielder
Manny Mota / DOMcenter fielder
César Tovar / VENright fielder
Diego Seguí / VENRH pitcher
Juan Pizarro / PRILH pitcher
Tommy Lasorda / DOMmanager

Game 1, February 1

Team123456789RHE
Puerto Rico0200000002101
Dominican Republic21130100X8130
WP: Pedro Borbón (1-0)   LP: Juan Pizarro (0-1)
Home runs:
PRI: Willie Crawford (1)
DOM: Steve Yeager (1)

Game 2, February 1

Team123456789RHE
Venezuela100020010481
Mexico000000000052
WP: Milt Wilcox (1-0)   LP: Rich Troedson (0-1)
Home runs:
VEN: Manny Trillo (1)
MEX: None

Game 3, February 2

Team123456789RHE
Mexico0000000202110
Puerto Rico01100100X3  71
WP: Doyle Alexander (1-0)   LP: Al Hrabosky (0-1)   Sv: Bob Reynolds (1)
Home runs:
MEX: None
PRI: Tony Pérez (1)

Game 4, February 2

Team123456789RHE
Dominican Republic0020000002  71
Venezuela01302000X6121
WP: Reggie Cleveland (1-0)   LP: Bruce Ellingsen (0-1)
Home runs:
DOM: None
VEN: Víctor Davalillo (1)

Game 5, February 3

Team123456789RHE
Dominican Republic2000001508122
Mexico0000002002101
WP: Dick Tidrow (1-0)   LP: Maximino León (0-1)

Game 6, February 3

Team123456789RHE
Venezuela000101000271
Puerto Rico000000000071
WP: Diego Seguí (1-0)   LP: Lloyd Allen (0-1)
Home runs:
VEN: Joe Ferguson (1)
PRI: None

Game 7, February 4

Team123456789RHE
Dominican Republic0012201129151
Puerto Rico0000010102  61
WP: Lerrin LaGrow (1-0)   LP: Roger Moret (0-1)
Home runs:
DOM: Jesús Alou (1)
PRI: None

Game 8, February 4

Team123456789RHE
Mexico101003000593
Venezuela002000010382
WP: Vicente Romo (1-0)   LP: Luis Peñalver (0-1)   Sv: Al Hrabosky (1)

Game 9, February 5

Team123456789RHE
Puerto Rico0000010809120
Mexico0001010002  81
WP: Juan Pizarro (1-1)   LP: Rich Troedson (0-2)
Home runs:
PRI: Angel Mangual (1)
MEX: Dave Hilton (1)

Game 10, February 5

Team123456789RHE
Venezuela0001121005135
Dominican Republic04300002X9130
WP: Pedro Borbón (2-0)   LP: Milt Wilcox (1-1)

Game 11, February 6

Team123456789RHE
Mexico0100001002102
Dominican Republic05201000X8151
WP: Bruce Ellingsen (1-1)   LP: Al Hrabosky (0-2)
Home runs:
MEX: None
DOM: Jim Spencer (1)

Game 12, February 6

Team123456789RHE
Puerto Rico3210110008101
Venezuela0000000000  41
WP: Doyle Alexander (2-0)   LP: Milt Wilcox (1-2)
Home runs:
PRI: Fernando González (1), Elrod Hendricks (1)
VEN: None

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, 18781961. Macfarland & Co., United States.
  • González Echevarría, Roberto. The Pride of Havana. Oxford University Express.
  • Gutiérrez, Daniel. Enciclopedia del Béisbol en Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.

   

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