1949 Caribbean Series

The first edition of the Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was played in 1949. It was held from February 20 through February 25 with the champions teams from Cuba (Almendares), Panama (Spur Cola), Puerto Rico (Mayaguez) and Venezuela (Caracas). The format consisted of 12 games, each team facing the other teams twice, and the games were played at the Del Cerro Stadium in Havana, Cuba, which boosted capacity to 35.000 seats. The first pitch was thrown by George Trautman, by then the president of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.

Summary

Cuba captured the competition with an undefeated record of 6-0, behind a strong pitching effort by Agapito Mayor, who posted a 3-0 record (2 as a starter, 1 in relief) and won Most Valuable Player honors. His three wins in the CBWS still a series record. The offensive support came from Monte Irvin, who hit .389 and led the hitters with two home runs and 11 RBI; Al Gionfriddo, the champion bat with a .533 average (8-for-15); Chuck Connors, who hit .409 with five runs and five RBI, and Sam Jethroe, a .320 hitter with three triples, six runs, and five RBI. Cuba, managed by Fermin Guerra, also collected a 4–0 shutout by Ed Wright (the first in Series history) and complete game wins from René Solís and Conrado Marrero.

Venezuela, managed by José Antonio Casanova, ended second with a 3-3 mark. The team was led by pitcher José Bracho (2-0), catcher Guillermo Vento (.375) and first baseman Dalmiro Finol (.333), who also hit the first home run in Series history.

Panama finished third with a 2-4 record. The team, managed by Leon Kellman, had a solid pitching staff that included Sam Jones and Pat Scantlebury but was victim of a low-run support.

Puerto Rico ended in fourth place with a 1-5 record. The team was led by shortstop-manager Artie Wilson (.346, three stolen bases), Quincy Trouppe (.444), Luke Easter (.400, 7 RBI), and Wilmer Fields, who hit the first grand slam in Series history and collected seven RBI.