President Luis Abinader and Vice President Raquel Peña received the Caribbean Baseball Series winning team on Tuesday, 9 February 2021 at the Presidential Palace. Abinader had told his favored Aguilas Cibaeñas team when they visited before leaving for Mexico that receiving the team as winners of the regional series was on his agenda. The President was born in Puerto Plata and grew up in Santiago de los Caballeros, home town of the Aguilas.
The team returned on Monday evening with the pennant after winning seven straight games in Mazatlan, Mexico. The Caribbean Series ended with the win of the Aguilas Cibaeñas (Dominican Republic), followed by the Criollos de Caguas (Puerto Rico), Tomateros de Culiacán (Mexico), Federales de Chiriquí (Panamá), Caribes de Anzoátegui (Venezuela) and Caimanes de Barranquilla (Colombia).
The series was not a breeze. In games against Colombia and Panama, the Dominican team came from behind to win the games. In game six against Panama, the DR was losing until the last half of the 9th inning, when men got on base and Carlos Paulino delivered a two-run winning hit.
The Dominican team was awarded seven places on the All Stars Team of the tournament. The chosen Dominican players are first baseman Ronald Guzman, second baseman Robinson Cano, in fielders Juan Lagares and Melky Cabrera. Also pitchers Carlos Martinez, Jumbo Díaz. Team manager, Felix Fermín was also named to the All Stars Team. Likewise, Juan Lagares was named the Most Valuable Player of the 63rd Caribbean Series that was played in Mexico.
For the Aguilas it was their sixth win of the Caribbean Series. The team had not won a Caribbean Series since 2007. This 2021, the Dominican Republic was the defending champion. Last year, the Toros del Este had won for the Dominican Republic. The country now has won 21 Caribbean Series, followed by Puerto Rico that has 16 titles and Mexico has nine.
The Dominican Professional Baseball League has yet to decide the host city for the 2022 Caribbean Series.
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Presidency
Lidom
10 February 2021