2001 Caribbean Series

The 2001 Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was the thirtieth-first edition of the second stage of the Caribbean Series. It was held in Culiacán, México from February 1 to February 6. The series featured four teams from Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. The Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican League won the series and were managed by Félix Fermín. The Most Valuable Player was Erubiel Durazo, a first baseman with the Naranjeros de Hermosillo.

The series was a close one. After four games, all the teams had 2-2 records. The Hermosillo Orange Growers beat the Criollos de Caguas 6-4 in 10 innings thanks to two homers from Trenidad Hubbard in game five, including the game-winner after he failed two sacrifice bunts. The Águilas Cibaeñas, who had lost their first two, won their third in a row, 8-6 over the Cardenales de Lara to make the Águilas-Naranjeros finale the deciding game.

Elmer Dessens had flown off earlier in the tournament but was summoned back to start game six for the Hermosillo outfit. Dessens was rocked for four runs in 2 1/3 innings as the Mexicans fell behind 5-1. Miguel Flores hit a solo homer and two-run shot for Mexico but they couldn't overcome the fast Dominican start.

The Dominican club included David Ortiz (.381, .571 SLG), Tony Batista (.333, .542 SLG, 6 RBI) and Luis Polonia (.333) on offense and Jesus Pena (1.17, Sv) allowed only one run in eight innings on the mound. Miguel Batista won the championship game for them.

For Hermosillo, Durazo (.455, .909 SLG, 6 RBI, 3 HR) was the star and Vinny Castilla (.333, .500 SLG, 6 RBI, 2 HR) also provided some punch. 46-year-old Angel Moreno (1.50) and 41-year-old Fernando Valenzuela (1.90) headed the staff, allowing only 5 hits in 11 innings between the two veterans. Jose Garcia (1-0, 0.96) also did a fine job.

The Lara team got quality pitching from Gary Glover (1-0, 0.00) and few others. The offense was solid behind Luis Sojo (.391, .522 SLG), Ramon Hernandez (.364, .864 SLG, 3 HR, 6 RBI), Jolbert Cabrera (.333, .524 SLG), Luis Raven (.318, .773 SLG, 8 RBI) and Miguel Cairo (.308, .423 SLG).

For last-place Caguas, Carlos Beltran (.409, .773 SLG, 7 RBI) led the fireworks and Gary Matthews Jr. batted .360, slugged .680 and drove in six.

Final Standings[edit]

Team	League	G	W	L	WPCT	Manager
Águilas Cibaeñas	DOM Dominican League	6	4	2	0.667	Félix Fermin
Naranjeros de Hermosillo	MEX Mexican Pacific League	6	3	3	0.500	Derek Bryant
Cardenales de Lara	VEN Venezuelan League	6	3	3	0.500	Nick Leyva
Criollos de Caguas	PRI Puerto Rican League	6	2	4	0.333	José López