1976 Amateur World Series

From BR Bullpen

The 1976 Amateur World Series was the 26th Amateur World Series but the first in several years to feature a unified baseball world, following the FIBA-FEMBA split of the prior several Series. The event was held in Cartagena, Colombia, from December 3 through December 19.

Flag of Cuba Cuba won the Series and would win all the remaining Series until the 2007 Baseball World Cup (except for the 1982 tournament, in which they did not participate). They went 8-2 in the round-robin to tie for the best record, losing by one run to the Dominican Republic and 5-0 to Nicaragua. They then won the finals when Puerto Rico withdrew and forfeited. Servio Borges managed the team, which was led by Agustin Marquetti (.500, the tourney leader with 7 doubles and 20 RBI), Rodolfo Puente (.462) and Armando Capiro (.422, the leader with 17 runs and 5 home runs). Future defector and major leaguer Bárbaro Garbey hit .333 in a backup role. The staff was led by Omar Carrero (4-0, 0.61) while the two losses went to Rogelio Garcia and Braudilio Vinent.

Flag of Puerto Rico Puerto Rico won Silver with a 8-2 round-robin before their final round forfeit. J.L. de Leon led the tourney with a 0.00 ERA.

Flag of Japan Japan claimed Bronze at 7-3.

Flag of Nicaragua Nicaragua also was 7-3 thanks to a very good offense. Douglas Moody led the tournament with four triples.

Flag of South Korea South Korea, Flag of Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei and Flag of Dominican Republic Dominican Republic tied for 5th at 5-5. Yuan-Chin Kuo of Taiwan led all pitchers with 41 strikeouts. Maney Cabreja of the Dominican team had the best average (.521) and most hits (25). A. Rosario of the Dominican Republic led in steals (5).

Host Flag of Colombia Colombia was 8th at 4-6.

Flag of Panama Panama finished 9th at 3-7.

Flag of Mexico Mexico placed 10th at 2-8.

Flag of Netherlands Netherlands finished last with a 1-9 record.

See 1976 Amateur World Series (Rosters)

Source: A History of Cuban Baseball by Peter Bjarkman