1960 Caribbean Series

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(Redirected from 1960 Serie del Caribe)

The 1960 Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was the twelfth edition of the first stage of the Caribbean Series. It was held in Panamá, Panamá from February 10 to February 15. The series featured four teams from Cuba, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Cienfuegos of the Cuban Winter League won the series and were managed by Antonio Castaños. The Most Valuable Player was Tommy Davis, an outfielder with the Criollos de Caguas.

The final edition of the first run of the Caribbean Series, it marked the 7th championship in 12 years by the Cuban Winter League entry. Cuba would not participate in another Caribbean Series as Ford Frick banned Americans from playing in Cuba for the 1960-1961 winter league season and after that year, the Fidel Castro administration banned professional sports.

Cienfuegos's All-Cuban staff was led by Camilo Pascual (2-0, 15 K in 16 1/3 IP), who ran his Series record to 6-0 all-time. In his finale, he one-hit Caguas for the only shutout of the 1960 Series. Orlando Pena (1-0, 2 Sv, 9 K in 10 IP) was the relief ace. In addition to pitching, Cuba featured a strong offense, including C Dutch Dotterer (.353), 1B Rogelio Alvarez (.333, .750 SLG, 10 RBI, 6 R), 2B Cookie Rojas (.429, 1.000 SLG in limited action), OF George Altman (.438, 6 BB), OF Tony Gonzalez (.429) and OF Dan Dobbek (.267, .800 SLG).

The second-place Marlboro team was led on the hill by Bob Walz (1-0, 5 H in 9 IP in 4 games) while Humberto Robinson (0-1, 19 H in 9 1/3 IP) got lit up. The Panamanian team led the Series with 45 runs scored, powered by 1B/OF Stan Palys (.370, .704 SLG, 12 RBI, 6 R), SS Lee Tate (.308, 6 BB, 8 R), 3B Héctor López (.370, .778 SLG, 3 HR, 10 RBI) and OF Eddie Napoleon (.438, .688 SLG).

Caguas went 2-4 despite fine strikeout pitching by Earl Wilson (1-1, 9 H, 13 K in 15 IP) and Terin Pizarro (16 K in 14 IP, 1-1). They led the tournament with 10 homers but only scored 27. Leading the charge were 3B Woody Huyke (.350, .500 SLG), SS Félix Torres (.385, .808 SLG, 3 HR), OF-1B Orlando Cepeda (.333, .524 SLG) and OF Tommy Davis (.409, .818 SLG, 7 R, 6 RBI, 3 HR). Player-manager Vic Power (0 for 12) and OF Felix Mantilla (1 for 22) were notable weak spots.

For the last-place Venezuelan team, Billy Muffett (0-2) allowed 24 hits in 17 innings and the offense was last with 26 runs. Like his namesake, OF Willie Davis (.333, .593 SLG, 2 triples) had a fine series, as did 3B Cameleón García (.333, .542 SLG), who provided some support.

[edit] Final Standings

Team	League	G	W	L	WPCT	Manager
Cienfuegos	CUB Cuban Winter League	6	6	0	1.000	Antonio Castaños
Marlboro	PAN Panamanian League	6	3	3	0.500	Billy Shantz
Caguas-Guayama	PRI Puerto Rican League	6	2	4	0.333	Vic Power
Rapiños de Occidente	VEN Venezuelan League	6	1	5	0.167	Les Moss