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 Team Manager Carta Vieja Yankees Al Leap Cervecería Caracas José Antonio Casanova Leones del Habana Mike González Senadores de San Juan Freddie Thon

Final standings

Scoreboards Game 1, February 20

Game 2, February 20

Game 3, February 21

Game 4, February 21

Game 5, February 22

Game 6, February 22

Game 7, February 23

Game 8, February 23

Game 9, February 24

Game 10, February 25

Game 11, February 26

Game 12, February 26

Statistics leaders Statistic Player Team Total Batting average Sandy Amorós Leones del Habana .450 Home runs Wilmer Fields Cervecería Caracas 2 Spider Jorgensen Leones del Habana Runs batted in Wilmer Fields Cervecería Caracas 7 Runs Stan Breard Senadores de San Juan 8 Hits Sandy Amorós Leones del Habana 9 Wilmer Fields Cervecería Caracas Spook Jacobs Carta Vieja Yankees Doubles Sandy Amorós Leones del Habana 4 Triples John Kropf Carta Vieja Yankees 1 Alberto Osorio Carta Vieja Yankees Stolen bases Jerry Lynch Carta Vieja Yankees 2 Wins Tommy Fine Leones del Habana 2 Earned run average Tommy Fine Leones del Habana 0.00 Complete games Tommy Fine Leones del Habana 2 Johnny Hetki Cervecería Caracas Strikeouts Johnny Hetki Cervecería Caracas 9 Walks Cot Deal Senadores de San Juan 9

Awards

+ Tournament Awards Award Player Team MVP Tommy Fine Leones del Habana Best manager Mike González Leones del Habana

+ All Star Team Position Player Team First base Eddie Neville Carta Vieja Yankees Second base Spook Jacobs Carta Vieja Yankees Third base Buddy Hicks Cervecería Caracas Shortstop Lou Klein Leones del Habana Left field Sandy Amorós Leones del Habana Center field Héctor Benítez Cervecería Caracas Right field Wilmer Fields Cervecería Caracas Catcher Andrés Fleitas Leones del Habana Pitcher Tommy Fine Leones del Habana

See also Latin American Series (1952) Ballplayers who have played in the Series

References

Sources Antero Núñez, José. Series del Caribe. Jefferson, Caracas, Venezuela: Impresos Urbina, C.A., 1987. Gutiérrez, Daniel. Enciclopedia del Béisbol en Venezuela – 1895-2006 . Caracas, Venezuela: Impresión Arte, C.A., 2007.

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