1973 Caribbean Series

1973 baseball tournament

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

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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

| Club | W | L | W/L % | GB |   Managers
| Dominican Republic | 5 | 1 | .833 |  – |   Tommy Lasorda
| Puerto Rico | 3 | 3 | .500 | 2.0 |   Frank Robinson
| Venezuela | 3 | 3 | .500 | 2.0 |   Ozzie Virgil
| Mexico | 1 | 5 | .167 | 4.0 |   Dave Garcia
Individual leaders

Player/Club | Statistic |
Jesús Alou / DOM
Manny Mota / DOM | Batting average | .500
Thirteen tied | Home runs |     1
Jesús Alou / DOM
Steve Yeager / DOM | RBI |     7
Jesús Alou / DOM | Runs |     5
César Tovar / VEN | Hits |   10
Five tied | Doubles |     2
Three tied | Triples |     1
Four tied | Stolen bases |     1
Doyle Alexander / PRI
Pedro Borbón / DOM | Wins |     2
Diego Seguí / VEN | Strikeouts |   17
Diego Seguí / VEN | ERA | 0.00
Al Hrabosky / MEX
Bob Reynolds / PRI | Saves |     1
Pedro Borbón / DOM | Innings pitched | 14+2⁄3
Awards
Bobby Valentine / DOM | Most Valuable Player
Tommy Lasorda / DOM | Manager
All-Star Team

Name/Club | Position |
Steve Yeager / DOM | catcher
Gonzalo Márquez / VEN | first baseman
Gustavo Gil / VEN | second baseman
Steve Garvey / DOM | third baseman
Bobby Valentine / DOM | shortstop
Jesús Alou / DOM | left fielder
Manny Mota / DOM | center fielder
César Tovar / VEN | right fielder
Diego Seguí / VEN | RH pitcher
Juan Pizarro / PRI | LH pitcher
Tommy Lasorda / DOM | manager

### Scoreboards

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#### Game 1, February 1

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Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Puerto Rico | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 1
Dominican Republic | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 8 | 13 | 0
WP: Pedro Borbón (1-0)   LP: Juan Pizarro (0-1)
Home runs:
PRI: Willie Crawford (1)
DOM: Steve Yeager (1)

#### Game 2, February 1

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Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Venezuela | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 1
Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2
WP: Milt Wilcox (1-0)   LP: Rich Troedson (0-1)
Home runs:
VEN: Manny Trillo (1)
MEX: None

#### Game 3, February 2

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Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 0
Puerto Rico | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 |   7 | 1
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

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Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Dominican Republic | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |   7 | 1
Venezuela | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 6 | 12 | 1
WP: Reggie Cleveland (1-0)   LP: Bruce Ellingsen (0-1)
Home runs:
DOM: None
VEN: Víctor Davalillo (1)

#### Game 5, February 3

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Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Dominican Republic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 2
Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 1
WP: Dick Tidrow (1-0)   LP: Maximino León (0-1)

#### Game 6, February 3

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Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Venezuela | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 1
Puerto Rico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1
WP: Diego Seguí (1-0)   LP: Lloyd Allen (0-1)
Home runs:
VEN: Joe Ferguson (1)
PRI: None

#### Game 7, February 4

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Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Dominican Republic | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 15 | 1
Puerto Rico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |   6 | 1
WP: Lerrin LaGrow (1-0)   LP: Roger Moret (0-1)
Home runs:
DOM: Jesús Alou (1)
PRI: None

#### Game 8, February 4

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Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Mexico | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 3
Venezuela | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 2
WP: Vicente Romo (1-0)   LP: Luis Peñalver (0-1)   Sv: Al Hrabosky (1)

#### Game 9, February 5

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Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Puerto Rico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 12 | 0
Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |   8 | 1
WP: Juan Pizarro (1-1)   LP: Rich Troedson (0-2)
Home runs:
PRI: Angel Mangual (1)
MEX: Dave Hilton (1)

#### Game 10, February 5

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Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Venezuela | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 5
Dominican Republic | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | X | 9 | 13 | 0
WP: Pedro Borbón (2-0)   LP: Milt Wilcox (1-1)

#### Game 11, February 6

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Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Mexico | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 2
Dominican Republic | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 8 | 15 | 1
WP: Bruce Ellingsen (1-1)   LP: Al Hrabosky (0-2)
Home runs:
MEX: None
DOM: Jim Spencer (1)

#### Game 12, February 6

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Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Puerto Rico | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 1
Venezuela | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |   4 | 1
WP: Doyle Alexander (2-0)   LP: Milt Wilcox (1-2)
Home runs:
PRI: Fernando González (1), Elrod Hendricks (1)
VEN: None

## See also

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* Ballplayers who have played in the Series

## Sources

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* 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, 1878–1961. Macfarland & Co., United States.
* González Echevarría, Roberto. The Pride of Havana. Oxford University Express.
* Gutiérrez, Daniel. Enciclopedia del Béisbol en Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.

## External links

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* Official site
* Latino Baseball
* Series del Caribe, Las (Spanish)

* v
* t
* e

Caribbean Series

Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation (CPBC)

Editions|

* 1949
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Participants|

| Full CPBC members|

* Dominican Republic
* Mexico
* Puerto Rico
* Venezuela

|

Invited members (2025)|

* Japan

Former participants|

* Colombia
* Cuba
* Cuban League
* National Series
* Elite League
* Curaçao
* Nicaragua
* Panama

Related articles|

* Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame
* Caribbean Series Most Valuable Player
* Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame
* Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame
* Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame
* Interamerican Series
* Serie de las Américas
* Choque de Gigantes
* List of baseball players who have played in the Caribbean Series

* 1961 to 1969 - The Series was not held during these years following the dissolution of Cuba's professional league.
* 1981 - The Series was not held due to a Venezuelan player's strike.

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