Key Moments & Notable Performances
Contenders again - With a Campeonato and a runners-up spot already in the bag, Progreso once again set the pace in La Liga in 1934. After winning their first five games of the season, the Tabaqueros reigned supreme through August, September and October. Indeed, they led the standings for the entirety of those months, bar a solitary day in September, and for much of the season looked to be on course to become the first two-time campeones.
1932 revenged - Shadowing Progreso all the way, however, were Los Metros once again. Still stung by their defeat in 1932, the experienced capital squad were not to be denied this time. They hit the front for the first time in early November, and from there bulldozed their way to El Campeonato. Indeed, Los Metros replicated exactly the feats of that '32 Progreso team, churning out 13 consecutive victories down the stretch while their opponents faltered, and wrapping up the title with four games to spare.Hometown hero - The most consistent team in La Liga, Los Metros put together their Campeonato-winning season with an all-around effort, rather than through individual feats. Their star, Victor Herrera, topped just one statistical category (homeruns, for the second year in a row), but was one of five Metropolitanos to drive home at least 35 runs on the year. That effort, along with the leadership that helped bring baseball's biggest prize to Centenera for the first time, saw Herrera awarded the Premio del Presidente.
A day in the sun - Fresh from a Liga worst 16-44 record in 1933, Club Orientales righted more than a few wrongs in 1934. Spurred on by the death of their long-time owner on the eve of the season, the team from San Rodrigo put together their first winning season at the third time of trying. Better still, the Eastern Club found themselves atop La Liga standings for one glorious day in September, as they temporarily overhauled Progreso by downing them in both ends of a double-header.
El Supera - Progreso again missed out on claiming a second Campeonato, but Alex Ferrer ensured that El Supera honours have still never left the town. Emulating teammates Ramirez and de Pena, the second baseman was named La Liga's best thanks to a stunning season in which he racked up a .384 batting average, 8 homeruns and a league-best 61 runs batted in.Not used to losing - La Cruz ace Miguel Nevarez, 1933's Premio del Presidente recipient, had a rude awakening in 1934. Having lost just 3 games over his first two Liga seasons, "El Invicto" was handed his 3rd loss of the year in just his 6th start. He did recover to a respectable 13-7 record, but couldn't stop the defending champions from slumping to a losing record.
Wrong side of town - Centenera was a city of extremes as La Liga season reached its climax in November. To the north of town, Los Metros were on their way to a sensational Campeonato, stringing together 13 consecutive wins right when they needed it. Meanwhile, to the south-east, Atlético were mired in a record-equalling 11 game losing streak, consigning them to a second last-placed finished in three years.
Getting their money's worth - Fans who showed up at the Campos de Tabaco got more than they'd bargained for in late September, as the hometown Progreso team duelled it out with the visitors from Tahón in a five and a half hour epic. After each team scored in the 7th to tie the game at 3-3, eight pitchers combined to throw 10 more shutout innings - with Progreso starter Joel Mangana leaving after throwing an incredible 13 1/3 innings, allowing only 8 hits and 3 runs. Eventually, as afternoon turned to dusk, Tahón third baseman Willie Vazquez lifted a sacrifice fly to deep centrefield and the Leones claimed a 4-3, 18-inning win.
Run machine - Progreso star Tony de Pena had a sensational day at the plate in October, setting a new Liga single game record for runs batted in. He plated 8, as he led his side to a 14-2 demolition of Club Orientales, drilling a 2-run double, a 3-run double and a towering 3-run homerun to wrap up his offensive outburst.¡Viva Libertad! - The annual Día de la Libertad celebrations in Centenera on October 10 were given an exclamation point by Los Metros as they took on Atlético in "La Pelea". The visiting Metros shutdown their rivals 10-0, third baseman Vinny Lopez starring as he went 5-5 with a double and 3 runs scored.
Hitting the big time - A small piece of Liga history was made in October as Progreso purchased the contract of catcher Juan Ortega from Liga de Desarollo side Navalesa. The first Liga D player to be signed up by a Liga Nacional side, 25-year-old Ortega proved his worth by hitting .308 in 10 contests as Progreso's backup backstop down the stretch.
Statistically significant - Though they missed out on El Campeonato, Progreso players dominated the individual standings in 1934. None more so than first baseman Ramon Padilla, who set a new league-high for both batting average (.410) and hits (96). Across the diamond from Padilla, third baseman Willie Montoya put together a sensational season of finding the gaps. The 23-year-old speedster set a new league record for triples in his second professional season, racking up 7 three-baggers among his 75 hits. On the hill, Joel Mangana, oft overshadowed by rotation mates Ramirez and Fernandez, topped La Liga charts in complete games with 12, with his 172 1/3 innings pitched the third highest among all starters.
Around Escondida - Junior, Independent and Minor Leagues
The 1934 Liga de Desarollo was just as one-sided as the 1933 edition had been, although this time it was the Sierra Alta team taking the spoils. The Sombras took to the top of the standings early, led the league in all the main hitting and pitching categories, and sealed the title with four games to spare, thanks to a 5-1 win at outgoing champions Navalesa.
Key to Sierra Alta's success was their outstanding ace Salvador Leon. He led the league with 12 wins (against only 4 losses) and 105 strikeouts, and placed second in earned run average with a 3.05 mark, as he secured the Lanzador Superior honours. Meanwhile, the Mejor Bateador crown went to Estollo first baseman Carlos Zuniga. The stylish Centeneran coasted to a .328 batting average, along the way collecting 41 runs batted in and 10 homeruns - both league highs.
Perhaps the most impressive individual performance of 1934 came from Estollo catcher Alvaro Sanchez, as he collected all 7 runs batted in over the course of a 7-0 whitewash of Zuya. As well as calling the pitches for Danny Hernandez's 5-hit shutout, Sanchez connected for a 3-run homerun in the first inning and a grand slam in the fifth to account for all the scoring. Another talking point in the Liga D was an early September game between Estollo and Zuya. The cagey affair was tied at 3-3 in the 16th inning when the rains finally forced the game to be suspended. When things resumed in October, Estollo forced 2 runs across the plate in the top of the 17th to secure the much-delayed win.
The 1934 Torneo Desafío Juventud saw a season-long three-way tussle for the championship. Defending champions Adelante carried on their good form from 1933 in the early goings, and Meridional were strong once again. But it was El Camino who ultimately triumphed, sealing a worst-to-first title on the final day of the season thanks to a 10-6 win over Adelante.
Leading El Camino to the title was 16-year-old rightfielder David Gaona, who was named Mejor Bateador at season's end. The hard-hitting youngster clocked up a .478 batting average on the year (55-115), with 6 homeruns and 48 runs batted in. Picking up the Lanzador Superior honours was Adelante's Willie Arias. He wrapped up his junior career with a fine 6-0 record, a league-best 2.08 earned run average and 24 strikeouts, as Adelante fell just short of a repeat Torneo win.16-year-old Adelante first baseman Tony Gasca shone in 1934, with two signature performances highlighting an outstanding debut season. In April, Gasca hit the first Torneo cycle, going 4-5 with a double, triple and homer in a 19-11 win over Costero. In doing so, he also tied the Torneo record by driving home 8 runs. A month later he almost repeated the effort, falling just a triple shy of the cycle, going 4-4 with 7 RBI as Adelante downed La Isla 16-3. Meanwhile, young República leftfielder Sergio Tochimani again underlined his potential with a 6 hit, 5 RBI performance in a 27-8 win over Centrale.
In the Liga Segunda, the Atlético B squad defended their title, putting together a 13-7 record. Top individual showing of the season came in late September, as Tahón starter Erick Perez pitched a masterful 1-hit shutout against the Club Orientales back-up side, striking out 6 along the way.
