1983 Pan American Games

The 1983 Pan American Games were held in Caracas and dominated by the Cuban national team. Team USA also was unbeaten in pool play but dropped a 9-5 decision to Nicragua. Against Cuba, they led 1-0 through 6 but a Juan Castro homer helped Cuba start a 8-run rally to complete a rout. Cuba won the Gold, Nicaragua the Silver and the US the Bronze.

The Medalists

•  Cuba went 9-0 and was led by Pedro Medina (.667), the tourney leader with 9 runs and the co-leader with 4 homers. Lourdes Gourriel Sr. hit .526, Castro .700 and Antonio Pacheco .500. Braudilio Vinent (2-0, 0.00) and Rogelio Garcia (3-0, 0.00) paced the staff.
•  Nicaragua was 6-4 but their win over the US gave them the silver. Julio Moya (2-0) led the Games with 12 strikeouts.
•  United States had a solid 8-2 record. Mark McGwire tied for the lead with four home runs while B.J. Surhoff drove in the most, 11. John Hoover had a 0.00 ERA to lead the pitchers. Tim Belcher and Jeff Ballard were other future major leaguers on the staff.

The Rest of Pool A

•  Dominican Republic was 5-5, finishing tied for 4th in the final round at 2-3.
•  Canada was 3-2 in pool play but did not advance. Canadian Tom Nelson had 12 hits, the most.
•  Puerto Rico only was 1-4 yet Luis Fontanez led all players with 5 doubles.
•  Brazil was winless in five tries.

The Rest of Pool B

•  Venezuela finished 4-4, 2-1 in pool play and 2-3 in the finals round.
•  Panama was 2-1 in pool play but 0-5 in the finals round.
•  Colombia went 1-3.
•  Netherlands Antilles were 0-4.

Also see 1983 Pan American Games (Rosters)

Source: A History of Cuban Baseball by Peter Bjarkman