Coronations, memorable moments and legendary figures highlight the history and tradition of Leones del Escogido, a team that this Wednesday celebrates 100 years since its founding.
The Lions were born on February 17, 1921, with Carlos Manuel Bonetti Burgos (Pilindo), Luis Alfau, Gilberto Pellerano, Numa Parra, Domingo Sánchez, Federico Nina, José Sanz and Quico Caro among its founders.
Rafael Esteva was its first president.
At that time, the Delco Lite, Los Muchachos and San Carlos teams reunited, forming a dream team that was crowned immediately in 1922. Since then they have a success story spanning 16 national championships and four Caribbean series. , since 1951.
“The story of the Chosen One is much bigger than us. It is the whole history of a country. In 100 years, this team has seen many valuable people pass by this shirt with a lot of love, as well as a passionate fan who has always been there, pushing the team to give their best “, said Escogido President José Miguel Bonetti Du- Breil.
The first coronations in the Dominican League came in the 1950s (1955-56, 56-57 and 57-58), with figures such as Felipe Rojas Alou, Willie Kirkland, Osvaldo Virgil.
Then, in the 1959-60 and 1960-61 tournaments, they lifted the championship trophy again, thus obtaining the fifth title in the first six tournaments under the light. Mateo Alou, Juan Marichal and Danilo Rivas were key players, as were Felipe and Jesús Alou. The 1960s had another red conquest with the 1968-69 championship, with Tito Fuentes among the main pieces.
In the early 1980s (1980-81 and 81-82) Escogido captured two crowns with Felipe directing, in those groups that included Tim Raines, Pedro Guerrero.
The monarchs were also elevated in 87-88, 88-89, 89-90 and 91-92 with Phil Reagan and Felipe in the lead and a core of players such as Gerónimo Berroa, Rufino Linares, José Núñez, José DeLeón and Junior Noboa.
The Scarlet Dynasty returns by winning the 2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2014-15 tournaments, all with Moisés Alou as general manager and prominent players such as Wilkin Castillo, Mauro Gómez, Nelson Figueroa, Starling Marte, Fernando Tatis and others.
“We are committed to protecting a franchise with a long history of tradition such as El Escogido, with a fan base so dedicated that it is part of the wonderful moments of this family,” said the club’s vice president, Eduardo Najri.
YOU KNOW MORE
Movie
To commemorate 100 years, lions are scheduled to present a documentary about their history at 6:30 p.m. today.
Media
Through Escogido TV, the 1092 HD channels from Claro and 476 HD from Altice, in addition to their social networks (@EscogidoBBClub) and their YouTube channel (Escogido Baseball Club).
Party
The SID Group, a joint-stock company of Leones del Escogido, celebrates the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the 16-time national champions of the fall-winter baseball tournament in the Dominican Republic.