The Dominicans win

The Caribbean Series All-Tournament Team was plastered with players from the top two teams: the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico, the country that had been the ugly duckling in the Caribbean Series’ history, won four games in a row to finish in second. Manager Max Oliveras, who was named the top manager, felt that the 2010 team was “able to clean up the image of Puerto Rico…” Oliveras also said that “when we lost out first two games here, I reminded the team that we had to be on a mission. Puerto Rico has had a hard time, and it’s more than wins and losses for us.” Mexico and Venezuela received just one player each on the All-Tournament Team. I would have liked to have seen Mexico’s centerfielder Chris Roberson on the list because he not only hit (.333), he played great defense, but the outfield was crowded with top hitting stars.

All-Tournament Team

1B: Kevin Barker (DR)

2B: Pablo Ozuna (DR)

3B: Vinny Castilla (Mexico)

SS: Angel Sanchez (Puerto Rico)

LF: Fernando Martinez (DR) *MVP

CF: Jesus Feliciano (Puerto Rico)

RF: Armando Rios (Puerto Rico)

C: Edwards Guzman (Puerto Rico)

DH: Raul Padron (Venezuela)

LHP: Raul Valdes (DR)

RHP: Nelson Figueroa (DR)

LRP: Efrain Nieves (Puerto Rico)

RRP: Pete Parise (Puerto Rico)

The Dominican Republic manager Ken Oberkfell, who will manage the NY Mets Triple-A Buffalo affiliate in 2010, took the Dominican job because he felt it would help him become a big league manager but the experience was more rewarding. “This was a lot of fun,” Oberkfell said. “It’s been a great experience, because I really didn’t realize how passionate the fans are about the game of baseball. It was an honor to do this, and I’m happy to be able to bring a championship to the Dominican.”

The winter league playoffs and Caribbean Series used to be a time when the Major League stars would return to represent their country. It was good for the fans and the series because of the excitement those players brought. It had to be tough on teams to not only pay top dollar for these players but teams lost chemistry as players who helped get the teams to the series were replaced for the stars.

Now however, the star players are electing to enjoy their offseason in relaxation or are being advised by their MLB clubs to not play. Each team in the Caribbean Series had MLB players removed from their rosters because the big league clubs did not want their players to play (like the Dominican’s pitcher Francisco Liriano and Venezuela’s shortstop Elvis Andrus).

Fernando Martinez hoists the MVP trophy

So now the Caribbean Series is relying on a youth movement mixed with the usual veterans. Just take a look at the tournament MVP. Leftfielder Fernando Martinez (Dominican Republic) took the award and he is the NY Mets top prospect. If he excels in the majors like he is expected, it will be hard to imagine the Mets allowing him to play in the Caribbean Series (or winter ball) in a few years.

Patriotism remains the major reason for playing in the Caribbean Series but top players are being asked to make the difficult choice between country, money, and their Major League team. Right now though, the young stars’ focus has been on the Caribbean Series and representing their country. Caribbean Confederation commissioner Juan Francisco Puello stated that “this is the future of baseball, the future of the Caribbean”. Youth has been served.

So the Caribbean Series will be dotted with 20-year old pitchers like Puerto Rican lefty Efrain Nieves and Venezuelan lefty Gabriel Garcia (both of whom shined in this series). Other young prospects like Puerto Rico’s reliever Pete Parise (Cardinals), Dominican third baseman Juan Francisco (Reds), Puerto Rican centerfielder Jesus Feliciano (Mets), Puerto Rican third baseman Danny Valencia (Twins), Venezuelan starter Jose Ortegano (Braves), Puerto Rican starter Mario Santiago (Royals), and Martinez are taking advantage of playing in the series.

“I’m just really happy I was able to participate here,” Martinez, 21, said. “To bring the trophy back to my country is unbelievable.” “This is very emotional,” Martinez said. “To be able to contribute to the Dominican Republic team is something you dream about as a child.” “We won as a team,” he said. “That’s the most important part of this experience. We did it together.”