They will participate in the Caribbean Series with a “great team”

The celebration of Criollos de Caguas at the Isidoro García Stadium on Sunday evening did not lack anything that is common in such situations.

After finishing in last place in the last two seasons, there were many reasons for the Criollos to celebrate.

As soon as Fernando Cruz gave the last game (by shot), the players celebrated on the field and then the champagne rained down the hall on the first floor of the modern Mayaguez Stadium.

The Creoles had just finished the fight against the Mayagüez Indians to become the top crown winners in Puerto Rican winter baseball history with 19 titles.

On the one hand, manager Ramón Vázquez enjoyed the third crown and the first in the Criollos uniform, a franchise with which he played 15 seasons professionally.

Meanwhile, the imported Jarren Durán also celebrated his award as the most valuable player in the final series.

“The season we had was special, more than special because of the pandemic. So much has happened on this team this year. The year that Fargas (Johneswhy), Jonathan Morales, Miranda (José) had “, said Vázquez, mentioning the most valuable player of the league and the debutant of the year in the statements provided by Criollos.

“The way it was played, I keep emphasizing. They gave me the opportunity to bring my staff here. I wasn’t wrong and they weren’t wrong either. We wanted this opportunity and we achieved what we wanted “.

Vázquez was drafted by Criollos after the current member of the Boston Red Sox coached team worked with Santurce Cangrejeros for several seasons.

He won two national titles with Santurce.

“

The first step was to prepare, to have all the players to start the season, the second was to reach the final series, the third to be champion. We have one more and that is to win the Caribbean Series. We continue to work, this cannot be stopped. I remove the lid in front of them. For how much they worked

”

“The first step was to prepare, to have all the players to start the season, the second was to reach the final series, the third to be champion. We have one more and that is to win the Caribbean Series. We continue to work, this cannot be stopped. I remove the lid in front of them. Because of how much they worked, “he said.

“Extremely proud and very happy.”

For his part, Duran, who is one of the top prospects in the Boston Red Sox, admitted that he was surprised by his selection for the award.

“I was speechless. I had no idea I had been chosen for the MVP. The most important thing for me was to take the championship home with me. I’m honored that I was chosen. There were so many other guys who could or he should have got it, but I feel honored and blessed to have the opportunity to be elected to the MVP, “Duran said in a Criollos press release.

Duran averaged 0.33 products from five hits in 15 official bats in the final, this one with a pair of homers, two doubles, six RBIs, six run runs and three walks.

“Thank you very much to everyone, the staff, the coaches, the management, the media team, the field team, the video team, everyone. It was a team effort and I am grateful that I have such an incredible team, and now they are my family. “

They are looking for reinforcements for Mazatlan

On the other hand, Carlos Berroa, the director of the Professional Baseball League tournament Roberto Clemente, had a meeting yesterday with the Criollos management and their leader Vázquez to determine the players who will be available to strengthen the Puerto Rican team for the Caribbean Series. which will take place starting Sunday in the port city of Maztlán, Mexico.

“I can tell you that we will take a great team. We will try to bring that championship back here “, said Berroa without mentioning names.

“We are in the process of appealing, obtaining permission from organizations. It’s a little boring. The selection we will make is based on Puerto Rico. We will bring the best players available “.

Berroa did not want to anticipate whether veteran Yadier Molina will be available to make the trip to Mexico.

Third baseman Emmanuel Rivera, outfielder Henry Ramos and versatile player Jack Lopez are rumored to be among the players interested in Criollos.

On the other hand, on Thursday, tests for COVID-19 are scheduled to be conducted on the delegation from Puerto Rico that will leave on Saturday. They will be molecular.

It was also learned that the ninth in Puerto Rico will celebrate its first practice on Wednesday at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

“We have to get there with tests, done 72 hours or so before, and present them at the airport when we arrive, so that they let us in and return anyway. We have to present them when we enter the United States “, Berroa concluded.