1952 Caribbean Series Explained

Tourney Name:Caribbean Series
Year:1952
City:Panama City
Country:Panama
Dates:20–26 February
Num Teams:4
Champion Other: Leones del Habana
Num Championships:1
Second Other: Carta Vieja Yankees
Venues:1
Cities:1
Mvp: Tommy Fine
Prevseason:1951
Nextseason:1953

The fourth edition of the Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was played in 1952. It was held from February 20 through February 26, featuring the champion baseball teams of Cuba, Leones del Habana; Panama, Carta Vieja Yankees; Puerto Rico, Senadores de San Juan and Venezuela, Cervecería Caracas. The format consisted of 12 games, each team facing the other teams twice, and the games were played at Panama City. The first pitch was thrown by Alcibíades Arosemena, by then the President of Panama.

Summary

Cuba became the first country to win two Caribbean Series championships with an undefeated record of 5–0. The Cuban team, with manager/catcher Mike González at the helm, won the Series behind a strong pitching effort by Tommy Fine, who posted a 2–0 record with a 1.50 ERA in two complete-games and won Most Valuable Player honors. After a 3–3 tie against Puerto Rico in the Series opener, he was called by the Cuban team as a late replacement for future Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm. Fine posted the first no-hitter pitched in any Caribbean series game, to give his team a 1–0 win against Venezuela. Five days later, Fine faced Panama's club and was close to glory. He was three outs from consecutive no-hitters in the series, having allowed a single in the ninth inning to break it up. His 17 hitless streak also is the longest in series history. Outfielder Sandy Amorós led series hitters with a .450 batting average (9-for-20), including personal numbers with a .650 SLG, six runs, six RBI. Other contributions came from OF Fernando Pedroso (.400), catcher Andrés Fleitas (.304), and infielders Lou Klein (.333) and Spider Jorgensen, who hit two of the team's three home runs.

The clubs from Panama and Venezuela tied for second place with a 3–3 record. Panama was managed by Al Leap and included in the roster infielders Spook Jacobs, Joe Tuminelli and Jim Cronin, catcher León Kellman, and pitchers Connie Johnson and Marion Fricano.

The Venezuelan club, led by José Antonio Casanova, featured players as right fielder Wilmer Fields (.360, two HR, .720 SLG, 8 RBI), shortstop Chico Carrasquel and third baseman Luis García, as well as catcher/outfielder Guillermo Vento and pitchers José Bracho, Emilio Cueche, Bob Griffith, Johnny Hetki, Al Papai and Luis Zuloaga. In addition, center fielder Héctor Benítez and third baseman Buddy Hicks joined Fields in the All-Star team.

After a tied game with Cuba, Puerto Rico's team failed to win in their next five games. Managed by Fred Thon, their roster included outfielders Nino Escalera and Luis Rodríguez Olmo; pitchers Red Adams, Luis Arroyo, Art Ditmar and Pantalones Santiago, and OF/P Cot Deal.

Participating teams

TeamManager
Al Leap
José Antonio Casanova
Mike González
Freddie Thon

Final standings

Scoreboards

Game 12, February 26

Statistics leaders

StatisticPlayerTeamTotal
Batting average.450
Home runsalign=center rowspan=22
Leones del Habana
Runs batted in7
Runs8
Hitsalign=center rowspan=39
Cervecería Caracas
Carta Vieja Yankees
Doubles4
Triplesalign=center rowspan=21
Carta Vieja Yankees
Stolen bases2
Wins2
Earned run average0.00
Complete gamesalign=center rowspan=22
Cervecería Caracas
Strikeouts9
Walks9

Awards

Tournament Awards[1] ! Award ! Player ! Team
MVP Leones del Habana
Best manager Leones del Habana
All Star Team[2] ! Position ! Player! Team
First base Carta Vieja Yankees
Second base Carta Vieja Yankees
Third base Cervecería Caracas
Shortstop Leones del Habana
Left field Leones del Habana
Center field Cervecería Caracas
Right field Cervecería Caracas
Catcher Leones del Habana
Pitcher Leones del Habana

See also

Sources

External links

   

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Posiciones de los Equipos. seriedelcaribe.net. Confederación de Béisbol Profesional del Caribe. 28 December 2022. es.
  2. Anuario oficial Serie Del Caribe 2022. Confederación de Béisbol Profesional del Caribe. 26. 28 December 2022. es.