1935 Season

Key Moments & Notable Performances

Bigger and better - La Liga kicked off the 1935 season with two teams added to the contest - the Rio Hondo Rojos and the Villardondiego Tropicales - and an extra 24 games added to the season. With squads put together largely from a limited expansion selection, the two new sides struggled to make an immediate impact, but, with strong local support, look to be well set to build in future seasons.

Dominant - While the new teams felt their way into La Liga, defending champions Los Metros were simply unstoppable, bulldozing their way to a second consecutive Campeonato. The Centenera club - the first two-time champions - got off to a hot start, pulled away from nearest chasers Progreso through early October, eventually romping to a 65-19 record, good enough to clinch the title with 15 games to spare. Their record breaking season saw them score over 600 runs - an average of more than seven a game.

El Presidente's choice - Leading los campeones from the mound in 1935 was, once again, veteran right-hander Ruben Alvarez. The hard-working pitcher put together an almost unblemished season, racking up a career-best 18 wins, against just three losses, while holding opponents to a 2.79 earned run average. Those 18 victories moved Alvarez into a share of the lead on La Liga's career record page, his 53 wins equalled only by 1932 El Supera Francisco Ramirez. For his effort, Alvarez was awarded the Premio del Presidente.

Runs galore - Liga new boys Rio Hondo were given a rude awakening to the professional game in just their second contest of the season. The visitors were humbled 28-8 by Los Metros, the defending campeones hitters making hay as they racked up new records for most runs, most hits, biggest margin of victory and highest scoring game. Outfielders Ricky Rodriguez and Lorenzo Lemus both collected 5 hits, with the former also collecting 7 runs batted in for his day's work.

100 up - The Tahón team secured their first ever winning record in 1935, led by a masterpiece season from centrefielder Jonathan Garza. Garza set new Liga records with a .431 batting average and 100 runs batted in, and was named El Supera at season's end. His year was highlighted with a record-breaking 9 RBI performance in a November win over Rio Hondo.

Unstoppable power - 1934 Premio del Presidente winner Victor Herrera again shone for Los Metros as they defended the Campeonato in 1935. The popular outfielder hit .423 on the season, smashing a record 22 homeruns - three of which came in an August victory over Villardondiego, making Herrera the first man to pick up three round-trippers in a single game.

Going the distance - For the second season in a row, Tahón proved themselves to be the kings of extra innings during a late October epic in La Cruz. Down by a score of 7-3 after 7 innings the indomitable Leones tied it up in the eighth to send the game to extras. From there it was a war of attrition, with Tahón finally outlasting their hosts by a score of 12-10 after 20 innings and six hours of play. Jonathan Garza had a 6-8 day with five runs batted in, while Jose Hernandez scored 5 times, including the winning run. La Cruz second baseman Ramon Bonilla, meanwhile, had an unlikely-looking 4-11 day at the plate in the losing effort.

Injury blow - 1935 saw a number of serious injuries in La Liga, with Rio Hondo outfielder Jonathan Flores missing two months with a torn thigh muscle and Club Orientales pitcher Antonio Contreras losing twice that with a damaged shoulder. The worst blow, though, befell Progreso as erstwhile El Supera Francisco Ramirez wrecked his elbow pitching in a meaningless 6-4 defeat to Club Orientales near season's end. Recovery time is estimated at around 10 months, so Ramirez could miss the start of the 1936 season.

Sweet debut - Los Metros and Atlético traded infielders on the morning of a September contest between the two Centenera clubs, with first baseman Bill Gomez switching his yellow and black cap for green. The cheery 35-year-old made quick work of winning his new fans over in that afternoon's contest, belting two homeruns and driving home 7 in a 15-5 Metros win.

Above and beyond - Tahón starter Mike Santiago had fans around La Liga in awe during a mid-October doubleheader. The Leones ace pitched an 11-inning, 10-hit complete game to shutout Villardondiego 1-0 in the lunchtime game, before taking to the hill again to start game two. There, he pitched another 7 2/3 innings, enough to claim his second victory of the day.

Change at the top - Two Liga teams were looking for new managers after the season's end, as Atlético skipper Sal Almonte retired, and Progreso cashiered boss Eddy Guzman. Almonte, 63, left the game with a 108-156 record in four seasons in Centenera, to be replaced by bench coach, and former Metros top man, Alex Vazquez. Guzman, meanwhile, was fired despite a 159-105 overall record and having won the first Campeonato in 1932. Progreso - who haven't finished lower than second in La Liga - have tasked 63-year-old Edward Miranda, formerly La Cruz's bench coach, with returning them to the top spot in 1936.

Statistically significant - Three men hit better than .400 in 1935, Garza, Herrera and Sergio Barajas. Barajas, the reliable Metropolitanos catcher, went an impressive .408 (116-284) at the plate, as well as leading La Liga in sacrifice flies with 12. Second baseman Jon Moreno, meanwhile, provided some positives in another frustrating season for Club Orientales, as he set a new season-best mark for doubles with 28. With ball in hand, meanwhile, righty Joel Magana once again asserted himself as the best of Progreso's impressive trio, leading all pitchers in wins (19 - a new Liga record), earned run average (2.64), innings pitched (245 2/3) and complete games (19, another record).

 

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For the third season in a row, 1935 saw a new winner in the Liga de Desarollo, with the Zuya squad building on their second place finish the previous season to claim top spot. The triumph was never in doubt, as they played their way to the best Liga D record yet, comfortably taking top spot by eight games over the improving Estollo team.

The Zuya charge was led by first baseman Jordan Barajas, who put up his second strong season in a row for the Elefantes, this time winning the Mejor Bateador honours for his work. On the year, he batted .377, with a league-best 11 homeruns and 54 runs batted in. Claiming the Lanzador Superior award, meanwhile, was experienced Estollo righty Andres Carrion. Carrion put together his best season yet, rolling to an 11-3 win-loss mark, with 87 strikeouts and a 2.72 ERA as his side posted their first ever winning record.

Fittingly, the two award winners were also responsible for the highlights of the hard-fought season. Carrion's headline moment came in an early season game against Navalesa, striking out six on his way to a complete-game 1-hit shutout. Barajas, meanwhile, equalled the single-game record as he collected 7 RBI in a September win over the Navegantes - a pair of three-run homeruns doing most of the damage. Barajas's teammate Danny Martinez also shone in 1935, as the 27-year-old centrefielder became the first Liga D player to hit .400 for a season, his 80-200 effort hitting the mark dead on the nose.

The 1935 Torneo Desafío Juventud saw Meridional finally take the honours at the fourth attempt. The most consistent team in the Torneo's short history - posting a winning record every season - the boys in orange eased to the top of the standings and claimed the title with a comfortable three game margin over the Intermedio club.

For the second season in a row, young David Gaona of El Camino was named the Mejor Bateador, as the defending champions again performed well. Gaona - the first two-time award winner in the Torneo - finished with a .473 average, 7 homeruns and 39 batted in. Taking Lanzador Superior honours was Gaona's teammate Nelson Lara. The 17-year-old put together a superb 6-1 record, with 47 strikeouts and a 4.15 earned run average in his 10 starts.

Undoubted performance of the season in the Torneo came in early May as Meridional hammered Centrale 27-12. 15-year-old Meridional first baseman Hugo Ruiz had a record-breaking day that may never be matched, driving in 10 runs in an other-worldly performance. His 4-5 day at the plate included an RBI single, an RBI double, a three-run home run, a grand slam and a bases loaded walk. Also catching the eye was El Camino second baseman Alberto Calle, who became just the second Torneo player to hit for the cycle, in a late-season contest against Costero.

In the Liga Segunda, the Atlético B side claimed the honours for the third year in a row, posting a 29-13 record in the newly-lengthened season. Tahón third baseman Jose Zamora put on the best solo show of the season, as he belted three homeruns in a losing effort against Atlético - his performance helping him earn a trade to Progreso a few weeks later. Award winners in the Liga Segunda were Atlético rightfielder Diego Aguirre (.333/5/26) and Metropolitanos starter Pedro Perez (9-3/2.18/82).

 

1934 Season

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.

 

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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.

 

1933 Season

Key Moments & Notable Performances

Lead changes - If 1932 had proven something of a two-horse race, 1933 saw four teams take their turn at the top of La Liga standings. Strugglers last season, Tahón began this season strongly, winning their first six and challenging for the lead through early September. Los Metros had taken up the mantle by that point however, although without ever looking like dominating. And, sure enough, by October defending champions Progreso had found their way back to first place.

Strong finish - After a sluggish start, La Cruz, meanwhile, had been easing their way towards the top of the standings. Consistent rather than spectacular, they didn't move into first place until the first week of November, with barely two weeks of the season still to play. From there though, they held their nerve superbly, winning six of their last eight to claim El Campeonato in game one of a final day double-header on the road at Atlético.

Consolation prize - Progreso missed out on the chance to win back-to-back Campeonatos, but rightfielder Tony de Pena put together a top-class season to ensure that El Supera honours, at least, stayed in the town. The left-handed hitter's smooth swinging style clocked him up 88 hits - 4th best in La Liga - and a .391 batting average as he led his team to another winning record. That hit total included 12 homeruns and 19 doubles - his 143 total bases were tops on the island - and he accounted for 46 runs driven in.

Two for the price of one - Progreso and La Cruz shared a wild doubleheader in the soldier city in late August. Defending champions Progreso took game one 21-14, as the teams combined for 42 hits. Remarkably the Tabaqueros had only 5 hits go for extra bases - rightfielder Hector del Toro smashed 3 of them, 2 doubles and a homerun, on his way to a Liga-record matching 7 RBI performance. In the evening game, del Toro picked up another homerun and 2 more batted in, but couldn't prevent La Cruz coming out on top of a tamer, closer nightcap, 3-2.

El Invicto - When wily La Cruz ace Miguel Nevarez took the loss on October 29th, it was the first time he'd been on the wrong end of a decision since September 5th 1932 - a span of 37 undefeated starts. Nevarez was in sparkling form all year for the champion La Cruz side, his 13-1 record, including a 3-hit shutout, seeing him awarded the Premio del Presidente.

Señor G - Francisco Ramirez wasn't quite as untouchable for Progreso in 1933 as he had been the previous year, but he still tied for the league lead in wins with 14, and set a new single game record with 10 strikeouts in a 9-inning, no decision effort against Los Metros. A loss in his previous start had ended a streak of his own - 16 consecutive victories.

In a pinch - La Cruz outfielder Robert Cornejo made the pinch-hitting role his own in 1933, starting just 5 games, while making 35 appearances off the bench. Cornejo batted .333 in those opportunities, and put an exclamation point on his season in mid-September with a pinch-hit grand slam in a blowout against Atlético.

Hits, hits, hits - The biggest hit streak of 1933 belonged to Los Metros catcher Sergio Barajas. The tough backstop connected successfully in 24 straight contests in the early season, and kept his bat hot all year, eventually finishing with an impressive .399 batting average.

One win, one loss - Los Metros starter Tony Gomez tried to go above and beyond in a rain-induced double-header in October. The starter in a game suspended from September, Gomez pitched the last 3 innings to claim a 4-2 win over Tahón, before returning to the hill to start game two. Sadly he lasted only 3 2/3 innings, dishing up 10 runs and taking the loss.

At any level - First baseman Manny Gomez had a record-equalling 7 RBI day for Atlético in October, hitting a grand slam and leading his team to an 8-3 win over Club Orientales. Two weeks earlier, Gomez had tied the same record in the Segunda Liga, driving home 8 as Atlético-B smashed their Tahón counterparts 12-6.

Show no mercy - Tahón came to play in a November contest at Atlético, as they set a new Liga record for runs scored in a 22-4 beatdown of the capital squad. The Leones scored an incredible 14 runs in the top of the fifth - including 11 runs with 2 outs. Centrefielder Jonathan Garza led the charge, going 2-2, with 2 homeruns, 4 walks and 5RBI, while rightfielder Jose Hernandez and shortstop Alex Medina each picked up 5 hits a piece, with Hernandez setting another Liga record by coming round to score 5 times.

Statistically significant - The Liga saw its first .400 hitters in 1933, as both Tahón rightfielder Jose Hernandez and Atlético rightfielder Mario Barajas finished the season with a .401 mark. Hernandez took the batting crown with his 69-172 effort, while Barajas, who played in 16 more games, finished at 89-222. Barajas was one of three hitters to top 1932's hits mark, tying with Los Metros' Lorenzo Lemus and La Cruz's Bob Gonzales. For Progreso, 42-year-old Jose Huerta became La Liga's oldest player as he appeared in 29 games for the defending champions. He batted a respectable .303 (20-66), made just 3 errors in more than 160 innings at third base, and even managed to get cut down trying to steal second base.

 

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1933 marked the first season of play for the Liga de Desarollo, a new, independent professional league. Though competition was fierce all year, the Navalesa squad were a class above the rest. They eased to the inaugural title, sealing the top spot with 8 games to spare - and doing so in some style, thanks to a 16-0 whitewash of Zuya.

Although he couldn't lead his Sierra Alta team to a winning record, rightfielder Juan Garcia stormed to the Mejor Bateador title. On the year he put up an impressive .367 batting average, with 8 homeruns and 34 batted in. On the hill, Navalesa ace Angelo Reyes took the Lanzador Superior honours, as he led the Navegantes to the title with a 12-5 record, 111 strikeouts and a league-best 2.45 ERA.

Performance of the season in the Liga D undoubtedly came in August as Zuya starter Orlando Saravia struck out 15 Sierra Alta hitters in a mesmerising performance. His complete game, 6-hit effort led the Elefantes to a 2-1 victory. At the other end of the season, Sierra Alta were also involved in the most exciting team showing, as they scored 7 runs in the bottom of the ninth to overturn a 4-0 lead against Estollo. Second baseman Antonio Davalos put the exclamation mark on the comeback with a 3-run walkoff homrun.

The Torneo Desafío Juventud saw a thrilling finish to its 1933 season as a tie atop the standings after the 28-game regular season needed a three-way playoff to decide the eventual champions. When the dust settled, Adelante had beaten both Meridional and Centrale, riding a win-streak of 11 games to surge from nowhere to take the championship.

A key cog for the Adelante team during their amazing run was 17-year-old pitcher Jordan Flores, and he was rewarded for his fine season by being named the Lanzador Superior. The reliever pitched in 21 games, picking up 8 saves and shutting down opposing hitters with a 3.45 ERA. Taking the Mejor Bateador crown, meanwhile, was La Isla rightfielder Antonio Meza. The 16-year-old batted .490 (50-102) on the year, drilling 7 homeruns and collecting 40 runs batted in.

15-year-old Sergio Tochimani caught the eye of plenty of scouts in his debut Torneo campaign. The República leftfielder put together a 22-game hit streak on his way to hitting .330 and chasing home 37 runs. Also shining in 1933 was Emilio Pedro in his final Torneo season. The 1932 Lanzador Superior was strong again with the ball, going 6-1 in 10 starts for Centrale. But his signature moment of the season came with the bat as he helped himself on the way to a 15-3 win over El Camino by crushing a fifth inning grand slam.

The Liga Segunda was won at a canter by the Atlético B squad, who put together an outstanding 17-3 record. Performance of the season came from Club Orientales lefty Alex Acuna, who pitched a sublime 9-strikeout, 2-hit shutout against Progreso in September. Remarkably it was the first of 3 complete game shutouts for Acuna in his 5 starts in 1933.

 

1932 Season

Key Moments & Notable Performances

Second time lucky - Competition for the inaugural Campeonato got underway a day later than originally planned, after rain washed out the two games scheduled for Opening Day. When the skies finally cleared on Monday 22nd August, Los Metros shut out Atlético in both games of a double-header, while Tahón split a pair with La Cruz.

The streak - Through the first two months of the season, Los Metros had looked comfortable at the top of La Liga standings. Then Progreso started winning. They were four games behind on October 21st, but twenty-two days and 13 consecutive wins later, the Tabaqueros were 4 games atop the standings with a lead they wouldn't surrender.

El Supera, el campeón - Progreso's star performer was starting pitcher Francisco Ramirez. The laid-back lefty dominated La Liga all season, claiming the pitching triple crown with an 18-3 record, a 1.89 ERA and 95 strikeouts. So dominant was his fastball-cutter combo that he collected 5 complete game shutouts, including a 5-hit, 1-0 win over La Cruz that clinched El Campeonato for Progreso. For his efforts, he was named El Supera, and awarded the Premio del Presidente.

One and done - A single swing was all it took Manny Buenrostro to create a little bit of Liga history on August 27. He came to the plate as a pinch hitter with one out in the bottom of the ninth and his Tahón team locked in a 6-6 tie with Atlético. After watching two pitches go by, Buenrostro swung for the third, and deposited the ball over the leftfield fence - La Liga's first pinch-hit homerun, and a walk-off to boot.

Any which way - Los Metros centrefielder Jonathan Flores walked three times and hit a sacrifice fly on his way to a 3 run, 1 RBI performance in a 10-9 win over Atlético in which he officially batted 0-0.

Full house - Progreso rightfielder Tony de Pena had a day to remember in a 14-3 demolition of Atlético in late September. Along the way to scoring 4 and driving home 5, the 27-year-old became the first player in La Liga to hit for the cycle. de Pena walked in the second, hit a two-run triple in the third, doubled in the fourth, hit a two-run homer in the 5th, struck out in the seventh and drilled an RBI single in the eighth.

I'm walking here - Atlético battery-mates Victor Fuentes and Alfredo Morel set an unlikely pair of records in a 12-3 loss to Club Orientales in October. Young lefty Fuentes gave up 11 walks in 7 1/3 innings pitched, while catcher Morel managed to draw 4 bases on balls at the plate himself.

Bad call, skipper - Los Metros lost a close one to La Cruz, 6-5 on October 5th, as La Cruz scored 6 runs in the top of the ninth to overhaul the capital squad. All six runs were charged to reliever Rafael Ortiz, who entered the game to begin the ninth after starter Ruben Alvarez was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the 8th. Through his eight innings pitched, Alvarez had held La Cruz scoreless on just 3 hits.

Hitting every day - It wasn't a pretty year for Atlético, but their fans did at least get the excitement of the longest hit streak in La Liga in 1932. Through September and October, centrefielder Jerry Prieto racked up at least one base hit in 27 consecutive appearances, before finally being held hitless by cross-town rivals Los Metros.

Hit King - Across town for Los Metros, Lorenzo Lemus was racking up the hits all season long. His 87 safeties (including 20 doubles, 3 triples and 5 homeruns) led all Liga hitters for the season. Lemus hit .354 for the year, and also topped La Liga with 26 stolen bases.

Big inning - Los Metros sent 16 men to the plate as they set the new Liga record by scoring 11 runs in the bottom of the fourth on November 17th. The outburst came as part of a 14-1 win over Club Orientales. Their inning contained 8 singles, 7 walks, a flyout, a groundout, and a runner cut down at the plate.

Statistically significant - Though Club Orientales fans didn't have much to cheer during their first Liga season, they did get to watch the top homerun hitter in Escondida, Jose Rivas, going about his business. The 24-year-old rightfielder led La Liga with 12 round-trippers. Meanwhile, La Cruz first baseman Bob Gonzales surprised many by topping the batting average charts with an impressive .395 mark after starting the season on the B team. On the mound, spare a thought for Atlético righty Arturo de Leon, whose 16 losses were the most by any Liga hurler. He did, at least, have one big day - his nine strikeouts in a close loss to La Cruz in October were the most in a single game by anyone in 1932.

 

Las Layendas Inductee

Unanimous Inductee, for contribution to Escondidan baseball

 

Around Escondida - Junior, Independent and Minor Leagues

The Torneo Desafío Juventud began its new era of play in April, and it was Costero who were crowned champions after a dramatic, rain-affected finale. Storms forced the season to be extended by two days, but their 17-11 record was eventually enough to hold off Intermedio and Meridional by a single game.

16-year-old Centrale second baseman Willie Gonzalez won the Mejor Bateador award, hitting .495 (55-111) with 5 homeruns and 39 batted in. Centrale teammate Emilio Pedro, also 16, picked up the Lanzador Superior honour, thanks to a 7-1 record in his 10 starts, and a 3.82 ERA. 

Elsewhere, Meridional centrefielder Jordan Gonzalez batted an impressive .505 (51-101), including a 22-game hit streak. He was also responsible for one of the individual performances of the season, collecting 8 RBI in a 13-12 win over eventual champions Costero. 15-year-old Adelante sensation Gustavo Jaramillo, meanwhile, made plenty sit up and take notice, twice picking up 6 hits in a game - going 6-8 (2 2B, 6 R, 5 RBI) in a wild 37-3 win over La Isla, and a month later going 6-6 (HR, 5 RBI) in a 14-10 loss to the same opponent. 

In the Liga Segunda, it was the Progreso back-up squad who topped the standings with a 14-6 record. The performance of the season belonged to 18-year-old Tahón righty David Orellana, and his September 19 effort against La Cruz. The teenager pitched 11 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit - but was still tagged with a 1-0 loss after hitting a batter to lead off the 12th who subsequently came round to score once the relief corps came into the game.