The Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation (CBPC) on Wednesday announced the names of five former players who will be inducted into a special class for the Caribbean Series Class of 2024 Hall of Fame.
This information was announced by the Caribbean Professional Baseball Commissioner, Juan Francisco Puelo Herrera, through a press release from the CBPC.
Those elected by direct vote of an international group of baseball historians, journalists and writers were Mexican pitcher Francisco Campos, Puerto Rican outfielder Jesus “Motorita” Feliciano, Dominican pitcher Julian Tavarez, Venezuelan outfielder Cesar Tovar and pitcher American. Odell Jones.
“I am pleased with your choice, and the Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation is very proud to have such great names as Cesar Tovar, Jesus Feliciano, Francisco Campos, Julian Tavarez and Odell Jones. I have seen most of them play, and it is an honor for me to give them this great news… This honor means a lot to the CBPC and Caribbean baseball,” said Caribbean Professional Baseball Commissioner Dr. Juan Francisco Puelo Herrera. .
At the coronation ceremony on February 8th in the city of Miami, the Caribbean Commissioner will present 3 gold buttons to an equal number of people, whose names will be known in the coming days, who have made significant contributions to progress. and the reputation of the Caribbean Confederation and the Caribbean Series.
1st. selection. – Francisco Campos “The Five Ponches”
Mexican pitcher Francisco Campos, known in the baseball world as “Pancho Ponches”, played in 6 Caribbean Series and was a two-time champion, in 2002 with the Tomatoros de Culiacan and in 2005 with the Venados de Mazatlán, the year he was also elected. The most valuable player.
He joined the All-Star team as a pitcher in the 2005 Mazatlan Caribbean Series, after winning 2 games and leading the team in innings pitched, earned-loss average, and strikeouts.
2nd. selection. – Jesus “Motorita” Feliciano
For his part, Puerto Rican Jesús “Motorita” Feliciano, an outfielder known for his offensive and defensive qualities, participated in 6 Caribbean series, 5 of them in a row, once representing Gigantes de Carolina and Leones de Ponce and in 2 opportunities. , Indios de Mayaguez and Criollos de Caguas, leaving an offensive average of 326 with 38 hits in 32 games.
He was the leader in hits and average in the 2010 Caribbean Series, while in 2012 he was the co-leader in doubles. In both events, the Puerto Rican player was a member of the All Star team as a centerfielder.
3rd. selection. -Julian Tavarez
Meanwhile, Dominican pitcher Julian Tavarez pitched in 8 Caribbean series. He represented Águilas Sibeás 6 times and Tigres del Lice 2 times, winning the championship 5 times.
With Águilas Cibeñas he lifted the trophy in 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2007, while with Tigres del Lice he did so in 1994. A 5 game winner and with a historic WHIP of 1.13, Julian Tavarez was part of the All Star team. Caribbean series in 1994 and 1998.
4th. selection. – Caesar Leonardo Tower “Caesar’s Tower”
Cesar Tovar from Venezuela, who died on July 14, 1994, was distinguished for his ability to combine offense and defense. Among his four participations in the Caribbean Series, in 1970 he was part of the Navegantes del Magallanes team that won the first crown for a Venezuelan team, coinciding with the start of the so-called second phase of the Caribbean Series. , an event that also made the All-Star team as a center fielder.
He also represented Tigres de Aragua, Leones del Caracas and Agulas del Zulia.
Tovar, who was also an All-Star team in 1973 as a right fielder, posted a career average of .305 with 25 hits, 13 runs and 14 RBIs in 20 games.
5th selection. -Odell Jones
Finally, American pitcher Odell Jones saw action in the 5 Caribbean Series with teams from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela, representing teams such as the Vaqueros de Bayamon, Tiburones de la Guerra, Agulas Sibeñas, and Tigres del Lici, the team he came with. . Champion in 1997.
Odell Jones, who also excelled in the major leagues, led the 1977 Caribbean Series in wins and losses, earned run average, and strikeouts, while in 1978 he dominated in innings pitched, WHIP, and again in earned runs. average
On the Caribbean Series all-time lists, American players are first in earned run average and third in WHIP and games started.
