1955 Caribbean Series

The 1955 Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was the seventh edition of the first stage of the Caribbean Series. It was held at Estadio Universitario in Caracas, Venezuela from February 10 to February 15. The series featured four teams from Cuba, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. The Cangrejeros de Santurce of the Puerto Rican League won the series - the third straight Puerto Rican champion - and were managed by Herman Franks. The Most Valuable Player was Don Zimmer, a shortstop with the Cangrejeros de Santurce.

A total of 122,000 fans came to Estadio Universitario to make this year's tournament the biggest draw to that time in Series history; 34,000 fans came to the opener alone.

Herman Franks managed Santurce, which had a dazzling 1-2 outfield combo of Willie Mays (.462, .885 SLG, 6 R, 9 RBI, 10 for 12 in the last three games) and Roberto Clemente (.268, .577 SLG, 7 R). SS Don Zimmer (.400, .840 SLG, 6 R) was the tourney MVP. Also lending a hand were 3B Bus Clarkson (.313), C Harry Chiti (.333, .667 SLG) and OF Bob Thurman (.318). Sam Jones (1-0, 3 H in 10 IP), Ruben Gomez (1-0) and Bill Greason (2-0, 9 H in 18 IP) headed the staff.

Lázaro Salazar guided the Magallenes entry, the best performance by a Venezuelan team to that point. They got fine performances from 2B Jack Lohrke (.348, .478 SLG), 1B Bob Skinner (.280, .480 SLG), OF Pablo García (.500, 3 3B, 1.000 SLG) and OF George Wilson (.381, .762 SLG).

Bobby Bragan was the Almendares pilot for a club which had the worst record ever by a Cuban team in the Caribbean Series. Joe Hatten (1-1) and Cholly Naranjo (1-0) got the wins while Red Munger dropped two. Only two players topped .200 - 1B Rocky Nelson (.471, .647 SLG) and C Gus Triandos (.263, .579 SLG, 7 RBI).

Al Kubski piloted Carta Vieja, who got their lone win from Humberto Robinson (12 K in 10 1/3 IP). Bill Harris and Ernie Lawrence both dropped two games. A one-man offensive performance was put on by OF Guilford Dickens (.364, .682 SLG, who hit both of the team's homers).

Final Standings[edit]

Team	League	G	W	L	WPCT	Manager
Cangrejeros de Santurce	PRI Puerto Rican League	6	5	1	0.833	Herman Franks
Navegantes del Magallanes	VEN Venezuelan League	6	4	2	0.667	Lázaro Salazar
Almendares	CUB Cuban Winter League	6	2	4	0.333	Bobby Bragan
Carta Vieja	PAN Panamanian League	6	1	5	0.167	Al Kubski