The persevering Mallens finally achieved their goal: a Dominican Professional Winter Baseball Championship for the Estrellas Orientales of San Pedro de Macorís. José Mallén, president and José Mallén Calac, general manager, together with Miguel Feris Chalas and Francisco Domínguez Brito received the BHD Leon trophy from the president of the Dominican Baseball League (Lidom), Vitelio Mejía after the 4-0 win over the Toros del Este at the La Romana Francisco Micheli Stadium. It was the first Estrellas pennant in 51 years.
The “green dream” happened at 11:57pm on 23 January 2019, thanks to general manager Fernando Tatis who dedicated the win to the loyal fans of the town of San Pedro de Macoris. Playing on the team was his son, Fernando Tatis Jr., who had an outstanding performance during the tournament.
José Sirí was named the Most Valuable Player of the series, the Estrellas won 5-1, in a series that could have gone to nine games. The 2018-2019 Dominican Professional Winter Baseball Championship was dedicated to Cooperstown immortal Vladimir Guerrero.
The Estrellas had not won a pennant since 14 February 1968, despite making it to the playoffs 17 times. This is the team’s third crown of champions. Their first team title was obtained in 1954 against the Tigres del Licey, then again in 1968 against the Leones del Escogido.
The Estrellas did a clean sweep of the 2018-2019 Dominican Professional Winter Baseball Championship. The team won the regular series (29-11), the round robin (11-7) and the playoffs (5-1).
The Estrellas now will represent the Dominican Republic at the Caribbean Series that is scheduled to take place 2-8 February 2019 in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. The celebration of the Caribbean Series in Venezuela, nevertheless, is in doubt, given the worsening of the political crisis in that South American country. Juan Puello Herrera, Caribbean Baseball Commissioner, called for a telephone conference of the presidents of the regional leagues. Venezuela has not been able to finish its championship.
Read more in Spanish:
Estrellas Orientales
El Dia
Diario Libre
Listin Diario
El Caribe
24 January 2019
