Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
Encyclopedia
The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League or Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional (LVBP) is the highest level baseball league in Venezuela
.
in Havana.
On December 27, 1945, the owners of the Caracas Brewery (Cervecería Caracas, present day Caracas Lions or Leones del Caracas
), Vargas Wisemen (Sabios de Vargas), the Magellan Navigators (Navegantes del Magallanes
), and Venezuela BBC created the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. The league is formally registered as an institution during January 1946, and in the same month organizes its first tournament, starting on January 3, 1946.
Vargas Wisemen, led by Daniel "Chino" Canónico, became the first champion, with a record of 18 wins and 12 loses.
During the first tournaments, games were played on Thursdays and Saturdays on the afternoons, and Sundays in the morning. This was the norm until Cervecería Caracas' park - located in the San Agustín del Norte zone of Caracas - was fitted with electric lights, enabling its use during nights. Thus, a game was added on Tuesday nights.
Eventually, the tournament was changed to accommodate two rounds, with the top team of each round having a best-of-5 play-off to determine the champion.
On August 8, 1952, Pablo Morales and Oscar Prieto Ortiz purchase the Cervecería Caracas team from Martín Tovar Lange, who had previously purchased the team form its previous owners, Caracas Brewery Co. The new owners rename the team (reigning champions by that time) as Caracas Lions (Leones del Caracas), after the full name of the city, Santiago de Leon de Caracas. On October 17, 1952, the 1952-1953 tournament started, with the first game of Leones del Caracas vs. Venezuela BBC. Leones del Caracas would win their inaugural tournament.
The next tournament would see the departure of the teams Sabios de Vargas and Venezuela BBC due to economic problems, being replaced by two teams (Gavilanes and Pastora) from the professional league of the Zulia State, from western Venezuela.
In 1955 a new team was added in the place of the departed Vargas, named Pampero; while the Venezuela BBC was moved out of Caracas, and renamed the Valencia Industrymen (Industriales de Valencia)
The 1956-1957 tournament would see further changes: the Navegantes del Magallanes team was purchased by advertisers Joe Novas and Joe Cruz and renamed as Oriente, leaving the league made of: Leones del Caracas, Oriente, Pampero, Industriales de Valencia.
In 1962, the La Guaira Sharks (Tiburones de La Guaira
) are brought into the league to replace Pampero.
In 1965, the league added two more teams, the Lara Cardinals (Cardenales de Lara
) and the Aragua Tigers (Tigres de Aragua
).
For the 1968-1969 tournament, the Industrymen left the city of Valencia and relocated to Acarigua as a new team: Los Llaneros. This left Valencia without a team, prompting the move of Navegantes del Magallanes from Caracas to Valencia, and their return to their original name for the 1969-1970 tournament.
In 1969, the Zulia Eagles (Águilas del Zulia
) are brought into the league to replace the Valencia Industrymen (Industriales de Valencia); the original Venezuela team.
The 70s saw the first successes for Venezuelan teams outside of Venezuela since the amateur championships of the 1940s, with the Navegantes del Magallanes winning two Caribbean Series. It also saw problems for the league, in the form of the strike that prevented the 1973-1974 tournament; or the problems the Caracas Lions and La Guaira Sharks had in 1975-1976 to secure a baseball park to play their home games, which resulted in both teams merged into one, and forced to move to the city of Acarigua.
The 80s saw the Caracas Lions winning 5 tournaments, consolidating their lead as the most successful team in the league. The Lions also went on to win 3 championships in a row in 1982, and their first Caribbean Series. Also in the 80s, the Zulia Eagles won their first two championships, all the way to also winning their first two Caribbean Series.
In 1991, the league expanded from 6 to 8 teams, with the additions of the Eastern Caribbeans (Caribes de Oriente
) who are now the Anzoátegui Caribbeans (Caribes de Anzoátegui
); and the Cabimas Oil Tankers, who became the Llanos Shepherds (Pastora de los Llanos
) and from the 2007-08 season on, the Margarita Braves (Bravos de Margarita
). This led to a change in format, with the 8 teams being organized in two divisions: the Eastern Division (División Oriental) with the teams Caracas, Magallanes, La Guaira and Oriente; and the Western Division (División Occidental) with the teams Zulia, Lara, Aragua and Cabimas. The first two teams from each division by the end of the first league phase of the tournament, would qualify to the round robin semifinals.
The format would change again some years later, with the addition of a wildcard team on the semifinals: the best placed third place from the two divisions, would accompany the other four teams in a round robin semifinal.
For the 2007-08 season, with the move of the Pastora team from the western city of Acarigua
to the eastern city of Porlamar
, the Western Division and the Eastern Division were merged in one single division of 8 teams, with the top 5 teams advancing to the semifinals.
In recent years, Tigres de Aragua
has become the most dominant team of the league, winning the crown 5 times in the last 8 years, although Leones del Caracas and Navegantes del Magallanes remain the most victorious Venezuelan teams in the history of the league.
league phases and a playoff final (as the winterleagues in the Dominican Rep. and Colombia
do). Currently, the teams play 63 games, 9 games against each of the other 7 teams, from October to December in the first league phase. The top five teams move on to another round robin league phase of 16 games per team in January known as the semifinals. The top two teams from this round advance to a best-of-7 series in a 2-3-2 homefield format at the end of January. This best-of-7 series determines the league champion. The Venezuelan champion moves on to the Caribbean Series to face the champions of the baseball leagues of the Dominican Republic
, Puerto Rico
and Mexico
. Venezuela
has won the Caribbean World Series seven times, most recently in 2009 by the Tigres de Aragua
(Aragua Tigers), after having won the LVBP title during the 2008-09 LVBP season.
(*) No longer part of the league.
(+) The team moved to a different city, and changed its name in 1968. The team disappeared by 1969, and was replaced with a new franchise.
(++) As Cervecería Caracas. The team changed owners and name in 1952, but documents made public on October 4th, 2011, clearly state that the franchise official name (Caracas Baseball Club) remained constant during all sale transactions in 1949, 1952 and 2001. This has resulted in a change on the historical stats of Leones del Caracas.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
.
Brief history
Baseball exploded in Venezuela in 1941, following the world championship1941 Amateur World Series
The 1941 Amateur World Series was the fourth Amateur World Series, presently known as the Baseball World Cup. It was contested by nine different teams playing eight games each from September 27 through October 22 in Havana, Cuba. Venezuela won the tournament for the first time.-Final results: won...
in Havana.
On December 27, 1945, the owners of the Caracas Brewery (Cervecería Caracas, present day Caracas Lions or Leones del Caracas
Leones del Caracas
The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas...
), Vargas Wisemen (Sabios de Vargas), the Magellan Navigators (Navegantes del Magallanes
Navegantes del Magallanes
The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:...
), and Venezuela BBC created the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. The league is formally registered as an institution during January 1946, and in the same month organizes its first tournament, starting on January 3, 1946.
Vargas Wisemen, led by Daniel "Chino" Canónico, became the first champion, with a record of 18 wins and 12 loses.
During the first tournaments, games were played on Thursdays and Saturdays on the afternoons, and Sundays in the morning. This was the norm until Cervecería Caracas' park - located in the San Agustín del Norte zone of Caracas - was fitted with electric lights, enabling its use during nights. Thus, a game was added on Tuesday nights.
Eventually, the tournament was changed to accommodate two rounds, with the top team of each round having a best-of-5 play-off to determine the champion.
On August 8, 1952, Pablo Morales and Oscar Prieto Ortiz purchase the Cervecería Caracas team from Martín Tovar Lange, who had previously purchased the team form its previous owners, Caracas Brewery Co. The new owners rename the team (reigning champions by that time) as Caracas Lions (Leones del Caracas), after the full name of the city, Santiago de Leon de Caracas. On October 17, 1952, the 1952-1953 tournament started, with the first game of Leones del Caracas vs. Venezuela BBC. Leones del Caracas would win their inaugural tournament.
The next tournament would see the departure of the teams Sabios de Vargas and Venezuela BBC due to economic problems, being replaced by two teams (Gavilanes and Pastora) from the professional league of the Zulia State, from western Venezuela.
In 1955 a new team was added in the place of the departed Vargas, named Pampero; while the Venezuela BBC was moved out of Caracas, and renamed the Valencia Industrymen (Industriales de Valencia)
The 1956-1957 tournament would see further changes: the Navegantes del Magallanes team was purchased by advertisers Joe Novas and Joe Cruz and renamed as Oriente, leaving the league made of: Leones del Caracas, Oriente, Pampero, Industriales de Valencia.
In 1962, the La Guaira Sharks (Tiburones de La Guaira
Tiburones de La Guaira
The Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:...
) are brought into the league to replace Pampero.
In 1965, the league added two more teams, the Lara Cardinals (Cardenales de Lara
Cardenales de Lara
The Cardenales de Lara is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Founded in 1942 and based in Barquisimeto, the Cardenales have won four domestic titles, the most recent in 2001.-Notable players:* Luis Sojo* Luis Leal...
) and the Aragua Tigers (Tigres de Aragua
Tigres de Aragua
The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay...
).
For the 1968-1969 tournament, the Industrymen left the city of Valencia and relocated to Acarigua as a new team: Los Llaneros. This left Valencia without a team, prompting the move of Navegantes del Magallanes from Caracas to Valencia, and their return to their original name for the 1969-1970 tournament.
In 1969, the Zulia Eagles (Águilas del Zulia
Águilas del Zulia
The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular teams in Venezuela.-History:The team was founded in 1969...
) are brought into the league to replace the Valencia Industrymen (Industriales de Valencia); the original Venezuela team.
The 70s saw the first successes for Venezuelan teams outside of Venezuela since the amateur championships of the 1940s, with the Navegantes del Magallanes winning two Caribbean Series. It also saw problems for the league, in the form of the strike that prevented the 1973-1974 tournament; or the problems the Caracas Lions and La Guaira Sharks had in 1975-1976 to secure a baseball park to play their home games, which resulted in both teams merged into one, and forced to move to the city of Acarigua.
The 80s saw the Caracas Lions winning 5 tournaments, consolidating their lead as the most successful team in the league. The Lions also went on to win 3 championships in a row in 1982, and their first Caribbean Series. Also in the 80s, the Zulia Eagles won their first two championships, all the way to also winning their first two Caribbean Series.
In 1991, the league expanded from 6 to 8 teams, with the additions of the Eastern Caribbeans (Caribes de Oriente
Caribes de Anzoátegui
The Caribes de Anzoátegui is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League based in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela.-Franchise History:...
) who are now the Anzoátegui Caribbeans (Caribes de Anzoátegui
Caribes de Anzoátegui
The Caribes de Anzoátegui is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League based in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela.-Franchise History:...
); and the Cabimas Oil Tankers, who became the Llanos Shepherds (Pastora de los Llanos
Pastora de los Llanos
Pastora de los Llanos was a baseball team who played in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League between the 1997-98 and 2006-07 seasons....
) and from the 2007-08 season on, the Margarita Braves (Bravos de Margarita
Bravos de Margarita
The Bravos de Margarita are a professional baseball team who plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League since the 2007-08 season....
). This led to a change in format, with the 8 teams being organized in two divisions: the Eastern Division (División Oriental) with the teams Caracas, Magallanes, La Guaira and Oriente; and the Western Division (División Occidental) with the teams Zulia, Lara, Aragua and Cabimas. The first two teams from each division by the end of the first league phase of the tournament, would qualify to the round robin semifinals.
The format would change again some years later, with the addition of a wildcard team on the semifinals: the best placed third place from the two divisions, would accompany the other four teams in a round robin semifinal.
For the 2007-08 season, with the move of the Pastora team from the western city of Acarigua
Acarigua
Acarigua is a city in northwestern Venezuela, in the northern part of the state of Portuguesa at coordinates . The city's population is 116 551 but now estimated at 208,495 for 2008. Formerly the state capital, it is a major commercial center for the northern Llanos region of South America. It is...
to the eastern city of Porlamar
Porlamar
Porlamar is the largest city on Isla Margarita, Nueva Esparta State in Venezuela. It was founded on the southeast coast in 1536, less than 40 years after Christopher Columbus first sailed through. Porlamar was a quiet fishing village until the arrival of air travel...
, the Western Division and the Eastern Division were merged in one single division of 8 teams, with the top 5 teams advancing to the semifinals.
In recent years, Tigres de Aragua
Tigres de Aragua
The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay...
has become the most dominant team of the league, winning the crown 5 times in the last 8 years, although Leones del Caracas and Navegantes del Magallanes remain the most victorious Venezuelan teams in the history of the league.
All Star Game
The league has scheduled All Star Games each year, sometime featuring criollos (Venezuelan) vs importados (foreigners) or Western Division vs Eastern Division, and even a Venezuela's League Stars vs. Rep. Dominicana's League Stars interleague all star game during the 2007-2008 tournament.Current Teams
| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Águilas del Zulia Águilas del Zulia The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular teams in Venezuela.-History:The team was founded in 1969... |
Maracaibo Maracaibo Maracaibo is a city and municipality located in northwestern Venezuela off the western coast of the Lake Maracaibo. It is the second-largest city in the country after the national capital Caracas and the capital of Zulia state... |
Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande is a multi-use stadium in Maracaibo, Venezuela. It is currently used mostly for baseball games and serves as the home of Águilas del Zulia. The stadium holds 23,900 people. It is named after longtime Maracaibo shortstop Luis Aparicio, Sr., the father of Luis Aparicio... |
23,900 |
| Bravos de Margarita Bravos de Margarita The Bravos de Margarita are a professional baseball team who plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League since the 2007-08 season.... |
Porlamar Porlamar Porlamar is the largest city on Isla Margarita, Nueva Esparta State in Venezuela. It was founded on the southeast coast in 1536, less than 40 years after Christopher Columbus first sailed through. Porlamar was a quiet fishing village until the arrival of air travel... |
Estadio Nueva Esparta Estadio Nueva Esparta Estadio Nueva Esparta, also known as Estadio Guatamare, is a stadium in Porlamar, Venezuela. It is primarily used for baseball and serves as the home stadium for Bravos de Margarita. It holds 16,100 people and was opened in 1990.... |
16,100 |
| Cardenales de Lara Cardenales de Lara The Cardenales de Lara is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Founded in 1942 and based in Barquisimeto, the Cardenales have won four domestic titles, the most recent in 2001.-Notable players:* Luis Sojo* Luis Leal... |
Barquisimeto Barquisimeto Barquisimeto is the capital city of the State of Lara located in west central Venezuela, halfway between Caracas and Maracaibo on the Turbio River.-Overview:... |
Estadio Antonio Herrera Gutiérrez Estadio Antonio Herrera Gutiérrez Estadio Antonio Herrera Gutiérrez is a multi-use stadium in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. It is currently used mostly for baseball games and serves as the home of Cardenales de Lara. The stadium holds 20,450 people.... |
20,450 |
| Caribes de Anzoátegui Caribes de Anzoátegui The Caribes de Anzoátegui is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League based in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela.-Franchise History:... |
Puerto La Cruz Puerto la Cruz Puerto la Cruz is a port city located in Anzoátegui State, in Venezuela. It is the seat of the Juan Antonio Sotillo Municipality. The city has road connections to the state capital, Barcelona, to Lecheria and to Guanta, and has the potential to become the largest and most important metropolitan... |
Estadio Alfonso Chico Carrasquel Estadio Alfonso Chico Carrasquel Estadio Alfonso Chico Carrasquel is a baseball stadium in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela. It is the home of Caribes de Anzoátegui. The stadium can seat 18,000 people and was originally built in 1959; rebuilt and opened in 1991 for professional baseball. It was named after former major league baseball... |
18,000 |
| Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
Caracas Caracas Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range... |
Estadio Universitario Estadio Universitario (Caracas) Estadio Universitario is a multi-use stadium in Caracas, Venezuela. The stadium holds 25,690 people and was built in 1952.This stadium is home for 2 national teams: Leones del Caracas and Tiburones de la Guaira.It is currently used mostly for baseball games.... |
25,690 |
| Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
Valencia | Estadio José Bernardo Pérez Estadio José Bernardo Pérez Estadio José Bernardo Pérez is a multi-use stadium in Valencia, Venezuela. It is currently used mostly for baseball games and serves as the home of Navegantes del Magallanes. The stadium holds 15,500 people. It opened in 1955.... |
15,500 |
| Tiburones de la Guaira Tiburones de La Guaira The Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:... |
La Guaira La Guaira La Guaira is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of Vargas and the country's chief port. It was founded in 1577 as an outlet for Caracas, to the southeast. The town and the port were badly damaged during the December 1999 floods and mudslides that affected much of the region... |
Estadio Universitario Estadio Universitario (Caracas) Estadio Universitario is a multi-use stadium in Caracas, Venezuela. The stadium holds 25,690 people and was built in 1952.This stadium is home for 2 national teams: Leones del Caracas and Tiburones de la Guaira.It is currently used mostly for baseball games.... |
25,690 |
| Tigres de Aragua Tigres de Aragua The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay... |
Maracay Maracay Maracay is a city in north-central Venezuela, near the Caribbean coast, and is the capital and most important city of the state of Aragua. Most of it falls under the jurisdiction of the Girardot Municipality. The population as per the 2001 census was 750,000... |
Estadio José Pérez Colmenares Estadio José Perez Colmenares Estadio José Pérez Colmenares is a multi-purpose stadium in Maracay, Venezuela. It is currently used mostly for baseball games and serves as the home of Tigres de Aragua, a team from the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Located at Campo Elías Street in Maracay, the stadium holds 15,328... |
15,328 |
Format
The league houses eight teams in one single division and plays two round robinRound-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
league phases and a playoff final (as the winterleagues in the Dominican Rep. and Colombia
Colombian Professional Baseball League
The Colombian Professional Baseball League, also known as the Colombian Winter League, is a professional baseball league based in Colombia...
do). Currently, the teams play 63 games, 9 games against each of the other 7 teams, from October to December in the first league phase. The top five teams move on to another round robin league phase of 16 games per team in January known as the semifinals. The top two teams from this round advance to a best-of-7 series in a 2-3-2 homefield format at the end of January. This best-of-7 series determines the league champion. The Venezuelan champion moves on to the Caribbean Series to face the champions of the baseball leagues of the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
has won the Caribbean World Series seven times, most recently in 2009 by the Tigres de Aragua
Tigres de Aragua
The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay...
(Aragua Tigers), after having won the LVBP title during the 2008-09 LVBP season.
Past Champions
| Season | Champion |
|---|---|
| 1946 | Sabios del Vargas |
| 1946-47 | Sabios del Vargas |
| 1947-48 | Cervecería Caracas |
| 1948-49 | Cervecería Caracas |
| 1949-50 | Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
| 1950-51 | Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
| 1951-52 | Cervecería Caracas |
| 1952-53 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1953-54 | Pastora de Occidente |
| 1954-55 | Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
| 1955-56 | Valencia Industriales |
| 1956-57 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1957-58 | Valencia Industriales |
| 1958-59 | Valencia Industriales |
| 1959-60 | No Champion |
| 1960-61 | Valencia Industriales |
| 1961-62 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1962-63 | Valencia Industriales |
| 1963-64 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1964-65 | Tiburones de La Guaira Tiburones de La Guaira The Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:... |
| 1965-66 | Tiburones de La Guaira Tiburones de La Guaira The Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:... |
| 1966-67 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1967-68 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1968-69 | Tiburones de La Guaira Tiburones de La Guaira The Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:... |
| 1969-70 | Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
| 1970-71 | Tiburones de La Guaira Tiburones de La Guaira The Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:... |
| 1971-72 | Tigres de Aragua Tigres de Aragua The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay... |
| 1972-73 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1973-74 | No Champion |
| 1974-75 | Tigres de Aragua Tigres de Aragua The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay... |
| 1975-76 | Tigres de Aragua Tigres de Aragua The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay... |
| 1976-77 | Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
| 1977-78 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1978-79 | Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
| 1979-80 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1980-81 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1981-82 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1982-83 | Tiburones de La Guaira Tiburones de La Guaira The Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:... |
| 1983-84 | Águilas del Zulia Águilas del Zulia The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular teams in Venezuela.-History:The team was founded in 1969... |
| 1984-85 | Tiburones de La Guaira Tiburones de La Guaira The Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:... |
| 1985-86 | Tiburones de La Guaira Tiburones de La Guaira The Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:... |
| 1986-87 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1987-88 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1988-89 | Águilas del Zulia Águilas del Zulia The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular teams in Venezuela.-History:The team was founded in 1969... |
| 1989-90 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1990-91 | Cardenales de Lara Cardenales de Lara The Cardenales de Lara is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Founded in 1942 and based in Barquisimeto, the Cardenales have won four domestic titles, the most recent in 2001.-Notable players:* Luis Sojo* Luis Leal... |
| 1991-92 | Águilas del Zulia Águilas del Zulia The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular teams in Venezuela.-History:The team was founded in 1969... |
| 1992-93 | Águilas del Zulia Águilas del Zulia The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular teams in Venezuela.-History:The team was founded in 1969... |
| 1993-94 | Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
| 1994-95 | Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 1995-96 | Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
| 1996-97 | Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
| 1997-98 | Cardenales de Lara Cardenales de Lara The Cardenales de Lara is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Founded in 1942 and based in Barquisimeto, the Cardenales have won four domestic titles, the most recent in 2001.-Notable players:* Luis Sojo* Luis Leal... |
| 1998-99 | Cardenales de Lara Cardenales de Lara The Cardenales de Lara is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Founded in 1942 and based in Barquisimeto, the Cardenales have won four domestic titles, the most recent in 2001.-Notable players:* Luis Sojo* Luis Leal... |
| 1999-00 | Águilas del Zulia Águilas del Zulia The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular teams in Venezuela.-History:The team was founded in 1969... |
| 2000-01 | Cardenales de Lara Cardenales de Lara The Cardenales de Lara is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Founded in 1942 and based in Barquisimeto, the Cardenales have won four domestic titles, the most recent in 2001.-Notable players:* Luis Sojo* Luis Leal... |
| 2001-02 | Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
| 2002-03 | No champion due to a national general strike |
| 2003-04 | Tigres de Aragua Tigres de Aragua The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay... |
| 2004-05 | Tigres de Aragua Tigres de Aragua The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay... |
| 2005-06 2005-06 LVBP season The 2005-06 season of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League was won by the team Leones del Caracas.-Eastern Division:-Western Division:-Playoffs:-Championship series:*Game 1: Tigres de Aragua 7, Leones del Caracas 4... |
Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 2006-07 | Tigres de Aragua Tigres de Aragua The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay... |
| 2007-08 2007-08 LVBP season The 2007-08 LVBP season.For the first time in a regular season, Leones, Zulia and Magallanes were eliminated making the first time a Venezuelan Caribbean Series Champion didn't make the postseason. On the other hand, Bravos de Margarita earned a trip to the playoffs after moving from Araure... |
Tigres de Aragua Tigres de Aragua The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay... |
| 2008-09 | Tigres de Aragua Tigres de Aragua The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay... |
| 2009-10 2009-10 LVBP season The 2009-2010 season of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League was contested in two round robin league phases and a playoff final.-First league phase:This round is called "Ronda Eliminatoria" or "Regular" by the league.... |
Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
| 2010-11 | Caribes de Anzoátegui Caribes de Anzoátegui The Caribes de Anzoátegui is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League based in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela.-Franchise History:... |
Championships per team
| Team | Years | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
1947-48 (++), 1948-49 (++), 1951-52 (++), 1952-53, 1956–57, 1961–62, 1963–64, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1972–73, 1977–78, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1994–95, 2005-06 2005-06 LVBP season The 2005-06 season of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League was won by the team Leones del Caracas.-Eastern Division:-Western Division:-Playoffs:-Championship series:*Game 1: Tigres de Aragua 7, Leones del Caracas 4... , 2009-10 2009-10 LVBP season The 2009-2010 season of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League was contested in two round robin league phases and a playoff final.-First league phase:This round is called "Ronda Eliminatoria" or "Regular" by the league.... |
20 |
| Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
1949-50, 1950–51, 1954–55, 1969–70, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2001–02 | 10 |
| Tigres de Aragua Tigres de Aragua The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay... |
1971-72, 1974–75, 1975–76, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2007-08 2007-08 LVBP season The 2007-08 LVBP season.For the first time in a regular season, Leones, Zulia and Magallanes were eliminated making the first time a Venezuelan Caribbean Series Champion didn't make the postseason. On the other hand, Bravos de Margarita earned a trip to the playoffs after moving from Araure... , 2008-09 |
8 |
| Tiburones de La Guaira Tiburones de La Guaira The Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:... |
1964-65, 1965–66, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1985–86 | 7 |
| Industriales de Valencia(*)(+) | 1955-56, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1960–61, 1962–63 | 5 |
| Águilas del Zulia Águilas del Zulia The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular teams in Venezuela.-History:The team was founded in 1969... |
1983-84, 1988–89, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1999–2000 | 5 |
| Cardenales de Lara Cardenales de Lara The Cardenales de Lara is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Founded in 1942 and based in Barquisimeto, the Cardenales have won four domestic titles, the most recent in 2001.-Notable players:* Luis Sojo* Luis Leal... |
1990-91, 1997–98, 1998-99, 2000-01 | 4 |
| Sabios del Vargas(*) | 1946, 1946–47 | 2 |
| Lácteos del Pastora(*) | 1953-54 | 1 |
| Caribes de Anzoátegui Caribes de Anzoátegui The Caribes de Anzoátegui is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League based in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela.-Franchise History:... |
2010-11 | 1 |
(*) No longer part of the league.
(+) The team moved to a different city, and changed its name in 1968. The team disappeared by 1969, and was replaced with a new franchise.
(++) As Cervecería Caracas. The team changed owners and name in 1952, but documents made public on October 4th, 2011, clearly state that the franchise official name (Caracas Baseball Club) remained constant during all sale transactions in 1949, 1952 and 2001. This has resulted in a change on the historical stats of Leones del Caracas.
Venezuelan Caribbean Series Champions
| Team | # of CS Championships | # of CS Appearances | Year of Championships |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leones del Caracas Leones del Caracas The Leones del Caracas is a Venezuelan baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Since its inception, the team has played in the Estadio Universitario in Caracas... |
2 | 14 | 1982, 2006 |
| Navegantes del Magallanes Navegantes del Magallanes The Navegantes del Magallanes are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in Valencia, the Navegantes have won ten LVBP championships and two Caribbean World Series.-Pitchers:... |
2 | 10 | 1970, 1979 |
| Águilas del Zulia Águilas del Zulia The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular teams in Venezuela.-History:The team was founded in 1969... |
2 | 5 | 1984, 1989 |
| Tigres de Aragua Tigres de Aragua The Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay... |
1 | 8 | 2009 |
See also
- Players from Venezuela in MLB
- Baseball awards#Venezuela
- Arturo J. Marcano GuevaraArturo J. Marcano GuevaraArturo J. Marcano Guevara, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, is an author on the topic of professional baseball in Latin America.With Professor David P. Fidler of Indiana University, Marcano has been at the forefront of generating awareness in the United States, Canada, and Latin America about...
– a native of Caracas, Venezuela, and an author on the topic of professional baseball in Latin America