The 1970–71 Mexican Pacific League season was the 13th season in the history of the Mexican Pacific League (LMP). It was contested by eight teams, two more than the previous season. The season was played in two halves, with teams earning points at the end of each half according to their finish. The four teams with the highest cumulative points qualified for the postseason, that were played in a round robin. If the team that finished first in the regular season and the winner of the postseason round-robin were different, a final series would be played to determine the champion.
Two teams joined the league: the Algodoneros de Guasave and the Mayos de Navojoa. The Mayos had originally debuted in 1962, played for five seasons until 1967, and then returned in this season; while the Algodoneros made their debut in the LMP.
The Naranjeros de Hermosillo won their fourth championship, defeating the Cañeros de Los Mochis in the final series 3–1, led by manager Maury Wills. Naranjeros' Héctor Espino won the batting Triple Crown, recording a .348 batting average, 22 home runs and 62 RBI. By winning the LMP title, the Naranjeros became the first Mexican team to participate in the Caribbean Series, doing so in the 1971 tournament.
Standings First half + First half standings Rank Team W L T Pct. GB Pts. 1 Cañeros de Los Mochis 28 15 1 — 8 2 Naranjeros de Hermosillo 26 18 0 2.5 7 3 Yaquis de Obregón 23 19 3 4.5 6 4 Venados de Mazatlán 23 19 3 4.5 5 5 Tomateros de Culiacán 23 21 1 5.5 4 6 Algodoneros de Guasave 17 27 0 11.5 3 7 Ostioneros de Guaymas 17 27 1 11.5 2 8 Mayos de Navojoa 16 27 1 12.0 1
Second half + Second half standings Rank Team W L T Pct. GB Pts. 1 Naranjeros de Hermosillo 30 13 0 — 8 2 Cañeros de Los Mochis 29 14 0 1.0 7 3 Yaquis de Obregón 27 15 0 2.5 6 4 Venados de Mazatlán 21 21 0 8.5 5 5 Tomateros de Culiacán 18 23 1 11.0 4 6 Mayos de Navojoa 17 25 0 12.5 3 7 Algodoneros de Guasave 16 25 1 13.0 2 8 Ostioneros de Guaymas 10 32 0 19.5 1
General + General standings Rank Team W L T Pct. GB Pts. 1 Cañeros de Los Mochis 57 29 1 — 15 2 Naranjeros de Hermosillo 56 31 0 1.5 15 3 Yaquis de Obregón 50 34 3 7.0 12 4 Venados de Mazatlán 44 40 3 13.0 10 5 Tomateros de Culiacán 41 44 2 16.5 8 6 Algodoneros de Guasave 33 52 1 24.5 5 7 Mayos de Navojoa 33 52 0 24.5 4 8 Ostioneros de Guaymas 27 59 1 31.0 3
Postseason Round robin Rank Team W L Pct. GB 1 Naranjeros de Hermosillo 9 3 — 2 Yaquis de Obregón 8 4 1.0 3 Cañeros de Los Mochis 5 7 4.0 4 Venados de Mazatlán 2 10 7.0
Final series Summary
League leaders
+ Batting leadersGastélum Duarte, p. 41 Stat Player Team Total AVG Héctor Espino Hermosillo .348 HR Héctor Espino Hermosillo 22 RBI Héctor Espino Hermosillo 62 R Héctor Espino Hermosillo 64 H Manuel Ponce Mazatlán 109 SB Leon Brown Obregón 29
+ Pitching leadersGastélum Duarte, p. 85 Stat Player Team Total ERA Vicente Romo Obregón 1.60 W Alfredo Ortiz Hermosillo 13 L Salvador Sánchez Los Mochis / Guaymas 13 SV Manuel Lugo Hermosillo 11 IP José Peña Los Mochis 179.0 K Felipe Leal Obregón 134
Milestones Pitchers Perfect games Vicente Romo (OBR): On 5 January 1971, Romo threw a perfect game against the Ostioneros de Guaymas, winning 12–0. It was the first perfect game in the league’s history.
No-hitters Steve Bailey (GSV): On 28 November 1970, Bailey threw a no-hitter against the Ostioneros de Guaymas. It was the sixth no hitter in the history of the league.
Awards The following players received awards at the end of the season.Gastélum Duarte, p. 113 Award Player Team Manager of the Year Maury Wills Hermosillo Most Valuable Player Héctor Espino Hermosillo Rookie of the Year Abelardo Vega Navojoa
References