SERIE DEL CARIBE 2008 (Caribbean World Series)
“Caliente baseball” in more ways than one
January 21 - If it has palm trees, great music, throbbing excitement, rivalries as intense as the Yankees/Red Sox, and Piña Coladas available from hawkers in the stands, it must be the Caribbean World Series or more properly spoken Serie del Caribe. The Fiftieth Edition of this winter journey to Caribbean baseball supremacy takes place starting February 2, 2008 in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
Many words have been written about the history of this happening but most fall short of capturing the electricity the event transmits. Currently, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic determine the national champion of Latin America at this event. In the past, (and hopefully again soon in the future) Cuba and Panama have been competitors in the event.
Serie del Caribe Championships |
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Dominican Republic |
Puerto Rico |
Cuba |
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|
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16 |
14 |
6 |
Venezuela |
Mexico |
Panama |
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|
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6 |
5 |
1 |
The very nature of the baseball passion these countries hold begins to lay the foundation for excitement that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
In late October last year, the victorious World Series Champion Boston Red Sox boarded their charter and flew ceremoniously and triumphantly home to adoring throngs of fans, politicians and beaming club officials. The scene is familiar - a parade, speeches, tributes to the organization and inevitable speculation about the challenge of keeping the team together in the face of free agency and multi-year multi-million dollar deals. Meanwhile, in “the Winter Leagues,” the journey, on dusty roads in less than luxurious buses, toward the Serie del Caribe has begun in four countries. No chartered planes, no $89.00 per day meal money, no five star hotels but instead a deep and nationalistic passion for the game and a level of competition seldom visible today. Every player has something to prove. Miguel Tejada returns every year to represent his hometown, “import” Major Leaguers come to turn around their game before the next season, and up and coming stars – over half of Minor League players hail from these countries – consider this event to be a platform for launching career. When the season and the playoffs conclude the Serie del Caribe showcases the best players from each country and the pageantry begins.
I described my first Serie del Caribe as a monstrous party where some baseball games broke out. The country pride and the players passion for the homeland and the game captivate you immediately. The fans are active participants in the contest, waving flags and brandishing everything from bullhorns to full brass bands in the stands to spur their team and country on. The players show a child-like passion for the game prancing like young colts allowed to run in the pasture for the first time. An hour before the game the crowds swell outside the stadium and the music and the party begin to grow in intensity. The supporters are vocal and animated and the atmosphere is just plain FUN!!
In the 50 playings of the Serie del Caribe, giants of the game, such as Mays, Clemente , DiMaggio, Ortiz and Martinez, played during the winter to make extra money, improve some facet of their game and have fun. There is nothing quite like it.
