1957 Caribbean Series


The ninth edition of the Caribbean Series was played in 1957. It was held from February 9 through February 14, featuring the champion baseball teams of Cuba, Tigres de Marianao; Panama, Cerveza Balboa; Puerto Rico, Indios de Mayagüez, and Venezuela, Leones del Caracas. The format consisted of 12 games, each team facing the other teams twice. The games were played at Estadio del Cerro in Havana, the Cuban capital. The first pitch was thrown by Ford Frick, by then the Commissioner of Major League Baseball.

Summary

The Cuban team was managed by Napoleón Reyes and finished with a 5-1 mark, with their only loss coming to Puerto Rico. Marianao offensive was clearly guided by Series MVP outfielder Solly Drake, who won the batting title with a.500 batting average and also led in runs, hits and stolen bases. Supporting him were fellow OF Minnie Miñoso and catcher Hal Smith. Pitcher Jim Bunning got two wins with a 0.61 ERA, including a seven-hit, one-run game and 5⅔ scoreless innings of relief. Behind him were Mike Fornieles, Bill Werle and Conrado Marrero. Also in the roster were reliever Enrique Maroto and infielders Julio Bécquer, Harold Bevan and José Valdivielso.
Panama, managed by catcher León Kellman, posted a 3-3 record for a surprising second-place finish. Balboa most prominent player was Winston Brown, who pitched a six-hit, one run complete game and a four-hit shutout, in both cases against Venezuela. Another gem game from George Brunet, who pitched the first shutout for a Panamanian team in Series history, and also hit one of the club's two homers. 1B Harold Gordon led the attack with a.412 BA. Other roster members included 2B Héctor López and P Dutch Romberger.
Puerto Rico tied with Venezuela for third place with a 2-4 mark. The Mayagüez team was piloted by Mickey Owen, while RF Canena Márquez provided the support attack. The other major contributors were 1B Bob Speake and P José Santiago, who handed Marianao their only lost, throwing a three-hit shutout. Puerto Rico also featured 2B Bob Aspromonte, OF Bob Smith, and pitchers Herb Plews and Pete Wojey, among others.
Venezuela, guided by Clay Bryant, included C John Roseboro ; IFs Rudy Regalado, Pompeyo Davalillo, Chico Carrasquel and Luis García, as well as OFs Tom Burgess and Bob Wilson. Caracas pitchers Babe Birrer and Julián Ladera collected the only wins for the team in complete-game efforts. Emilio Cueche took a complete-game loss after giving up two unearned runs in Game 5, and later hurled two scoreless innings of relief for a perfect 0.00 ERA, the best for the Series.

Final standings

Scoreboards

Game 1, February 9

Game 2, February 9

Game 3, February 10

Game 4, February 10

Game 5, February 11

Game 6, February 11

Game 7, February 12

Game 8, February 12

Game 9, February 13

Game 10, February 13

Game 11, February 14

Game 12, February 14

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