Cleveland Sports Forum

Posted: **Wed May 22, 2013 7:58 pm**

Postseason 2013 Finals

by Ray Otero

May 16, 2013

With the 2013 Cuban Postseason shortly to begin, here we bring you the tentative schedule of the semifinal stage of it which was announced this past Saturday which will begin May 25.

Saturday May 25 Villa Clara ( 4th place) vs. Cienfuegos (1st place) @ Cienfuegos.
Sunday May 26 Matanzas (3rd place) vs. Sancti Spiritus (2nd place) @ Sancti Spiritus.

Code: Select all

52 National Series 2012-2013
< 	 	 	 	 	 
Game    Matchup                        Date           Time (*) TV
1       Villa Clara vs. Cienfuegos     Sat, May 25    8:15 PM   CVI
2       Villa Clara vs. Cienfuegos     Sun, May 26    2:15 PM   CVI
3       Cienfuegos vs. Villa Clara     Wed, May 29    8:15 PM   CVI
4       Cienfuegos vs. Villa Clara     Thu, May 30    4:00 PM   CVI
5 (**)  Cienfuegos vs. Villa Clara     Fri, May 31    8:15 PM   CVI
6 (**)  Villa Clara vs. Cienfuegos     Mon, Jun 3     8:15 PM   CVI
7 (**)  Villa Clara vs. Cienfuegos     Tue, Jun 4     4:00 PM   CVI
<
<	 	 	 	 	 
Game    Matchup                        Date          Time (*)    TV
1       Matanzas vs. Sancti Spíritus   Sun, May 26   6:00 PM    CVI
2       Matanzas vs. Sancti Spíritus   Mon, May 27   8:15 PM    CVI
3       Sancti Spíritus vs. Matanzas   Thu, May 30   8:15 PM    CVI
4       Sancti Spíritus vs. Matanzas   Fri, May 31   4:00 PM    CVI
5 (**)  Sancti Spíritus vs. Matanzas   Sat, Jun 1    8:15 PM    CVI
6 (**)  Matanzas vs. Sancti Spíritus   Tue, Jun 4    8:15 PM    CVI
7 (**)  Matanzas vs. Sancti Spíritus   Wed, Jun 5    8:15 PM    CVI
<
<
(**)      If neccesary	 	 	 
(***)    Tentative schedule and subject to change

Posted: **Thu May 23, 2013 9:00 pm**

Playing for Pinar del Rio and Granma, Alfredo Despaigne for the second time took a batting title in our National Series.

Posted: **Wed May 29, 2013 10:09 am**

Code: Select all

COMO JUGARON LOS 4 GRANDES EN LA I DIVISION 
                      
[b]BATEO[/b]
 
TEAMS   AVG  CP  OBP HR  XB  SLG  OPS BR DP  QB 
MTZ    .290 389 .370 17  89 .380 .750 28 29 364 
CFG    .277 357 .372 32 108 .412 .784 31 55 292 
SSP    .266 202 .347 24  95 .375 .722 11 38 338 
VCL    .259 316 .334 18  84 .349 .683 17 43 302
 
[b]PITCHEO[/b]
 
TEAMS  G-P  SV PCL. WHIP AVGO  HP HRP XBP  PXB   
VCL   26-16 15 3.03 1.42 .279 387  21  84 21.7   
SSP   22-20 11 3.56 1.44 .278 381  17  84 22.0   
CFG   26-16 17 3.64 1.36 .261 360  25 106 29.4   
MTZ   25-16  8 4.02 1.48 .273 394  25  99 25.1   
                      
[b]FILDEO[/b]
 
TEAMS AVGF  E   TL PB BR CR         
VCL   .986 24 1720  0 21 24         
CFG   .981 33 1697  1 30 11         
SSP   .976 40 1642  5 17 12         
MTZ   .975 42 1650  6 13 15

Code: Select all

POSTEMPORADA | POSTSEASON'13 

Sab/Sat, May 25 

Estadio 5 de Septiembre, Cienfuegos	

PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #1	

VCL (1)  1
CFG (0)  0

Dom/Sun, May 26 

Estadio 5 de Septiembre, Cienfuegos	

PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #2	

VCL (1)  2
CFG (1)  4

Dom/Sun, May 26 

Estadio J. A. Huelga, Sancti Spíritus	

PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #1	

MTZ (0)  4
SSP (1)  5

Mar/Tue, May 28 

Estadio J. A. Huelga, Sancti Spíritus	

PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #2	

MTZ (0)  0 
SSP (1)  0

SUSP

Posted: **Tue Jun 04, 2013 7:05 pm**

Left Edilse Silva connecting for the decisive run in the tenth inning and right pinch runner Turiño Leandro scoring the winning run.

Villa Clara's win over Cienfuegos vaults them into the championship series while Sancti Spiritus and Mantanzas are tied at 2 games apiece in their semi-final game. The winner of tonight's game moves on to the finals and will meet Villa Clara.

Posted: **Tue Jun 04, 2013 7:12 pm**

Code: Select all

SEMIFINAL-VCL vs. CFG 
Dom/Sun, Jun 2 
Estadio Augusto C. Sandino, Villa Clara 

PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #5 
CFG (2) 3
VCL (3) 4

Sáb/Sat, Jun 1 
Estadio Augusto C. Sandino, Villa Clara 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #4 
CFG (2) 4
VCL (2) 3

Jue/Thu, May 30 
Estadio Augusto C. Sandino, Villa Clara 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #3 
CFG (1) 0
VCL (2) 3

Dom/Sun, May 26 
Estadio 5 de Septiembre, Cienfuegos 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #2 
VCL (1) 2
CFG (1) 4

Sab/Sat, May 25 
Estadio 5 de Septiembre, Cienfuegos 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #1 
VCL (1) 1
CFG (0) 0
<
<
<
SEMIFINAL-MTZ vs. SSP 
Mar/Tue, Jun 4 
Estadio Victoria de Girón, Matanzas 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #5 
SSP (2) 0
MTZ (2) 0

Dom/Sun, Jun 2 
Estadio Victoria de Girón, Matanzas 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #4 
SSP (2) 1
MTZ (2) 3

Sáb/Sat, Jun 1 
Estadio Victoria de Girón, Matanzas 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #3 
SSP (2) 0
MTZ (1) 4

Mie/Wed, May 29 
Estadio J. A. Huelga, Sancti Spíritus 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #2 
MTZ (0) 5
SSP (2) 6

Dom/Sun, May 26 
Estadio J. A. Huelga, Sancti Spíritus 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #1 
MTZ (0) 4
SSP (1) 5

Posted: **Wed Jun 05, 2013 6:58 pm**

I made a translation error. Both the above semi-final series are best of 7 NOT best of 5.

Posted: **Thu Jun 06, 2013 8:21 pm**

Seven teams watching Cuban prospect throw in Mexico

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 6/6/2013 7:13 P.M. ET

Another top Cuban prospect could be on the verge of becoming a free agent and making his way to the Major Leagues.

Seven teams -- including the Cubs, Dodgers, Rangers and Red Sox -- have expressed serious interest in Cuban right-hander Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and have been watching him throw bullpen sessions in Mexico since April, according to an industry source.

Gonzalez, 26, fled Cuba earlier this year, landed in El Salvador and worked out for a month in Mexico City before making his way to Tijuana, where he currently resides. He has been throwing full bullpen sessions in front of scouts twice each week for the past two months and expects to face hitters this week.

Representatives for the 6-foot-3 Gonzalez submitted paperwork to the United States Department of Treasury for the purposes of unblocking the player in February and began petitioning MLB for free agency a month later. Gonzalez filed a copy of his residency card from Mexico -- the final step to becoming a free agent -- to the Commissioner's Office last week, but does not expect to hear back until after the conclusion of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.

Gonzalez still has to be cleared by the U.S. government before he can enter into an agreement with a Major League club. The unblocking process could be resolved immediately, or last several months.

A full-fledged showcase is expected once he becomes eligible to sign with a Major League club.

The hard-throwing right-hander has a fastball in the mid-90s, a changeup, fork and a curveball. He made a splash on the international scene at the 2010 University Baseball Championships in Tokyo, and also shined at the Baseball World Cup in '09 and '11. He was suspended from Cuba's national team for most of the past two seasons for trying to leave the island.

Fellow Cuban prospect Yasiel Puig, who signed a seven-year, $42 million deal with the Dodgers last summer, made his Major League debut Monday in Los Angeles and went 2-for-4 with an outfield assist in his first game. He hit two home runs and drove in five runs in his second game, and went 0-for-4 in his third game Wednesday.

Cuban players that are at least 23 years old and have played at least three seasons in a Cuban professional league (like Gonzalez and Puig) are not subject to the new international signing guidelines established by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Posted: **Thu Jun 06, 2013 8:51 pm**

HAVANA TIMES —

On his second try to flee the island, one of Cuba’s top line pitchers in recent years, Miguel Alfredo González, succeeded in reaching Costa Rica, reported DPA news.

González, from Artemisa, dreams of making it to the US Major Leagues as numerous other Cuban players. He had also tried to leave Cuba in January 2012, in search of a professional baseball contract, but was surprised by the Cuban coast guard.

As a result of his first try to leave the island González was suspended from playing in the Cuban league and did not appear on the roster of his team Artemisa during the last two seasons.

Posted: **Thu Jun 06, 2013 8:53 pm**

Dodgers Eyeing Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez

The Dodgers are interested in Cuban pitching prospect Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez.

According to people familiar with the situation, the Dodgers are one of the clubs interested in the 26-year-old right-hander.

Gonzalez fled Cuba and reached El Salvador earlier this year. He has since taken up residency in Mexico and is working out in Tijuana.

Gonzalez could be declared a free agent by Major League Baseball as early as this week.

Posted: **Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:03 pm**

Dodgers eyeing Cuban pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez

On the day of the start of the MLB Draft, with baseball teams adding talent in every which way they can, the Dodgers are also looking to add talent in another way as well. The Dodgers are interested in 26-year-old Cuban right-handed pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, per Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times

By Dylan Hernandez

June 6, 2013, 11:14 a.m.

While Yasiel Puig tries to settle into the major leagues, the Dodgers are said to be looking to add another high-priced Cuban prospect.

The Dodgers are among the clubs interested in 26-year-old right-hander Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, according to people familiar with the situation who spoke under the condition of anonymity.

A former Cuban national team pitcher, Gonzalez fled Cuba and reached El Salvador earlier this year. He has since taken up residency in Mexico and is working out in Tijuana.

Gonzalez could be declared a free agent by Major League Baseball as early as this week. Once Gonzalez becomes a free agent and is cleared by the U.S. Treasury Department to sign with American teams, he will hold a showcase for major league scouts. The showcase is expected to take place around June 20, according to a person familiar with Gonzalez’s plans.

Gonzalez missed most of the last two seasons of Cuba’s top baseball league, as he was suspended for attempting to flee the Communist island. He had bone spurs removed from his elbow during his suspension, but is said to be fully recovered.

At least one major league scout believes Gonzalez can pitch in the major leagues this year. He is said to be 6-foot-3 with a fastball in the 90s, a changeup, forkball and curveball.

Whereas Puig rarely played outside of Cuba before signing with the Dodgers, Gonzalez has pitched in several high-profile international tournaments, meaning teams have fairly detailed scouting reports on him. Gonzalez pitched in the World Cup of Baseball in 2009 and 2011.

Because Gonzalez is 23 years or older and played in Cuba’s top league for three or more seasons, whatever a team spends to sign him won’t count against its limit for international signings.

Posted: **Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:12 pm**

It appears we have the cash on hand. We need another starting pitcher badly. I'd like to enter the bidding war.

Unfortunately, we keep passing on all these Cuban ballplayers. They are all well-schooled in the fundamentals. Baseball is Cuba's staple crop. They coach and teach these players well.

The Dodgers signed Puig. Perhaps Gonzalez follows in his footsteps. That's a good enough incentive for Gonzalez to sign with the Dodgers. Perhaps not.

We have to start somewhere. I'd like to start selecting some of these guys. Gonzalez would be a good start. There are a lot of very good ballplayers I'm expecting to see defect. It would be nice to use Gonzalez as a bargaining chip. We have to start falling in line.

Posted: **Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:55 pm**

I'd like to start selecting some of these guys.

Who selects who ?

Posted: **Tue Jun 11, 2013 7:30 pm**

Cuba says it will rejoin Caribbean Series

Nation hasn't played in championship since Castro ended participation in 1960

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 6/11/2013 2:59 P.M. ET

Caribbean Confederation commissioner Juan Francisco Puello Herrera and Higinio Velez, the president of the Cuban Federation of Baseball, announced Monday that the island will participate in the annual tournament after a 53-year absence next February in Venezuela.

"Since I started my tenure in 1999, I've always had the desire to return Cuba to Caribbean Series," Puello Herrera told The Associated Press. "Now, I can say that for next year's tournament we'll start a 'third stage' with Cuba as an added asset."

The annual round-robin tournament currently includes the Winter League champions from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. The winner of Cuba's Serie Nacional, the championship of its top league, will represent the island.

"The news is of special relevance to the Cuban people, Latin America and baseball," Velez said. "We are delighted that our return will happen in Venezuela, a brother country."

Puello Herrera said Cuba will assume all of the responsibilities of the other members, which includes eventually playing host to the tournament. He added that improvements have already begun on Estadio Latinoamericano de La Habana, the baseball stadium in Havana, and he's working with the U.S. State Department on the legalities associated with Cuba's return.

"We are really satisfied that after 14 years of negotiations, Cuba is finally returning to the Caribbean Series," Puello Herrera said. "We don't have approval from Major League Baseball for Cuba to participate in the Caribbean Series, but if Cuba can participate in the World Baseball Classic, we don't see why they can't be in the Caribbean Series."

The history of the Caribbean Series in Latin America traces back to the union of the leagues in Cuba, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela -- then called the Baseball Organization -- and the formation of the Caribbean Federation in 1948. After Cuba hosted in 1949, Puerto Rico played host in '50, Venezuela in '51 and Panama in '52.

The initial design of the series was 12 games, with each team squaring off against each other twice. Cuba won the title seven times from 1949-60. Puerto Rico won four times during that span, and Panama won its first and only Caribbean Series title in 1950.

In 1959, Fidel Castro took over and declared Cuba a communist nation, ending the country's participation in the event after 1960. Depleted, the Caribbean Series eventually disappeared for 10 years until a revival in 1970 that included the addition of the Dominican Republic and Mexico, and the removal of Panama from the tournament.

This year, a new format extended the double round-robin an extra day, with a championship game played between the teams with the two best records.

The 2014 Caribbean Series is scheduled to be played Feb. 1-7 at Estadio Nueva Esparta in Isla Margarita, Venezuela. Mexico's Yaquis de Obregon hosted the 2013 version of the tournament in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Jesse Sanchez is a national reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @JesseSanchezMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Posted: **Tue Jun 11, 2013 7:50 pm**

Code: Select all

POSTEMPORADA | POSTSEASON'13 

SEMIFINAL-VCL vs. CFG 
Mie/Wed, Jun 5 
Estadio 5 de Septiembre, Cienfuegos 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #6 
VCL (4) 2
CFG (2) 0


Dom/Sun, Jun 2 
Estadio Augusto C. Sandino, Villa Clara 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #5 
CFG (2) 3
VCL (3) 4

Sáb/Sat, Jun 1 
Estadio Augusto C. Sandino, Villa Clara 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #4 
CFG (2) 4
VCL (2) 3
 
Jue/Thu, May 30 
Estadio Augusto C. Sandino, Villa Clara 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #3 
CFG (1) 0
VCL (2) 3

Dom/Sun, May 26 
Estadio 5 de Septiembre, Cienfuegos 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #2 
VCL (1) 2
CFG (1) 4

Sab/Sat, May 25 
Estadio 5 de Septiembre, Cienfuegos 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #1 
VCL (1) 1
CFG (0) 0

<

SEMIFINAL-MTZ vs. SSP 
Sáb/Sat, Jun 8 
Estadio J. A. Huelga, Sancti Spíritus 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #7 
MTZ (4) 10
SSP (3) 5

Vie/Fri, Jun 7 
Estadio J. A. Huelga, Sancti Spíritus 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #6 
MTZ (3) 7
SSP (3) 15
 
Mar/Tue, Jun 4 
Estadio Victoria de Girón, Matanzas 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #5 
SSP (2) 3
MTZ (3) 4
 
Dom/Sun, Jun 2 
Estadio Victoria de Girón, Matanzas 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #4 
SSP (2) 1
MTZ (2) 3

Sáb/Sat, Jun 1 
Estadio Victoria de Girón, Matanzas 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #3 
SSP (2) 0
MTZ (1) 4

Mie/Wed, May 29 
Estadio J. A. Huelga, Sancti Spíritus 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #2 
MTZ (0) 5
SSP (2) 6

Dom/Sun, May 26 
Estadio J. A. Huelga, Sancti Spíritus 
PLAY OFF SEMIFINAL-JUEGO/GAME #1 
MTZ (0) 4
SSP (1) 5

Posted: **Tue Jun 11, 2013 7:58 pm**

Matanzas and Villa Clara, two different teams with very similar strategies will be the ones who will finally launch the Cuban Championship Series For 2012-2013 this evening.

Three leaders for Matanzas, from left to right is manager Victor Mesa, second baseman Jose M. Fernandez and pitcher Joel Suarez

Three leaders for Villa Clara, from left to right pitcher Freddy Alvarez, the catcher Ariel Pestano and manager Ramon Moré

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