Dominican Baseball Guy

Dominican baseball player Hanley Ramirez takes his first action at third base for the Marlins, Hanley Ramirez juega tercer base por Marlins

2012-02-22T12:46:00.000-08:00

Spring training is getting under way, and apparently the thing to do down around the Marlins campl in Jupiter, Florida was to write about Hanley Ramirez and his move to third base. Granted, it is by far the most intriguing story for the Miami Marlins thus far.

The Boston Harold put out an article (Marlins’ Hanley Ramirez gets going at third base), as did the the Sun Sentinel (Hanley Ramirez acquaints himself with third base), and even Sports Illustrated covered the story (Ramirez's move to third base may be smoother than expected).

Of course, the reason that this is a story is because the Marlins signed Jose Reyes this past off-season. Jose Reyes is clearly the better fielding short stop, so Hanley has been tasked with moving to third.

At first, reports were that Ramirez was unhappy and wanted to stay at short stop. But he has rebuked these claims and Hanley Ramirez says he is happy to play third base for the Miami Marlins. He made this clear through his twitter account in the last few days too: http://twitter.com/hanleyramirez.

By all accounts he is happily making the transition, and just wants to win. Manager Ozzie Guillen is probably making the move easier too, by downplaying the severity of such a move and deflecting any possible problems. He is basically coming up with all the reasons the move is great, and hoping that the media (and Hanley) will latch on to one of those positives motives/outcomes.

The Dominican Baseball Guy thinks the move will be great, and Hanley will return to MVP form after a slump and injuries last season. Hanley is from Samana, Republica Dominicana.

Dominican baseball player Hanley Ramirez, by SD Dirk on Flick

Astros claim Dominican baseball player Fernando Martinez off waivers, Astros firma pelotero Dominicano Fernando Martinez

2012-02-13T14:37:00.000-08:00

The Astros were horrible last year. They are the Dominican Baseball Guy's hometown team, and the Dominican Baseball Guy was forced to see the brutally bad team up close all last year. But silver lining right?

So, the worst record in MLB landed the Astros first on the off-season waiver wire and allowed them to claim highly heralded Fernando Martinez off the waiver wire.

Fernando Martinez was a top-5 prospect in the Mets system from 2006-2010. Most Mets fans saw him as a cornerstone outfield player, and left-handed bat to boot. Some Mets bloggers think he still could be that cornerstone left-handed hitter the Mets have sorely needed in recent years. But there are only a certain number of spots available at Spring Training, and the Mets chose to finally let him go.

He will be competing for an outfield spot with the Astros, and it will be a highly competitive competition to make the Astros opening day roster as an outfielder. Martinez has played in 82 big league games with the Mets, but never lived up to the potential. This has been at least partially due to injuries. He should get the chance to at least test that potential with the Astros, though he does have a minor league option remaining, so the club could send him to the minors to start the season.

In any case, this is at least some hope for an Astros team looking to rebuild. He adds to the plethora of young talent in on the Astros big league club.

Fernando Martinez is from Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic.

Fernando Martinez with the Mets in 2009, by Keith Allison on Flickr

Dodgers Tommy Lasorda gets a statue at the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame, Tommy Lasorda tiene estatua in Salon de Fama de Beisbol Latino

2012-02-11T22:40:00.000-08:00

Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda recently got a statue at the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame in La Romana, Dominican Republic. See the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame website here: http://www.salondelafamadelbeisbollatino.com/.

Lasorda is well known in baseball circles as being friendly to Latin players and a huge fan of Latin baseball. He was a founding member of the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame, so it is natural that they gave him a statue. Lasorda's most significant contribution to Latin baseball is probably the 1973 Caribbean Series, in which he led Tigres del Licey to the title. The team set a mark for the best record ever in the series at 5-1.

He now serves as the Latino Hall of Fame's Goodwill Abasodor and is a Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Dodgers. He has been with the Dodgers for six decades.

Tommy Lasorda in 2010 Spring Training appearance with the Dodgers, by SD Dirk on Flickr

Braves minor leaguer Jairo Asencio Most Valuable Player in Caribbean Series, Jugador Mas Valioso de la Serie Caribe

2012-02-08T16:02:00.000-08:00

Atlanta braves minor league player and Dominican Republic native Jairo Ascencio was named the most valuable player of the 2012 version of the Caribbean Series, or Serie del Caribe for the Dominican Baseball Guy's Spanish speaking friends. He actually played in six games with the big league club last season, but spent most of the year Gwinnet Braves, the AAA affiliate of the Braves. See the recap from ESPN Deportes or from Diario Libre a Dominican daily.

He has been a closer for the last three years in the minors and served that role for the Dominican team in the Caribbean Series. In a twist only seen in winter baseball, Asencio actually played for the Toros in the regular season this year in the Dominican Winter Baseball League. He was called in as a "reinforcement" for the Dominican team represented by LIDOM champion Escogido.

The teams from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela all do the same thing: stck their domestic league champion with "reinforcements" of the top players from the losing teams.

So, Jairo Asencio was picked up as a "reinforcement" and stepped right into the closer's role for Escogido and the Dominican Republic team. He was 3-3 in save chances and didn't allow a hit in three innings. For that he was the Jugador mas Valioso de la Serie Caribe 2012, or MVP of the Caribbean Series. The Dominican Baseball Guy knows it is not much of a sample, but hey it's the Caribbean Series they only play six games.

It is a touching story for the young pitcher. Asencio's mother died last year, so he was happy, but disappointed that she could not see it. Said the closer:

“Estoy feliz por la distinción, pero hay un espacio que estuviera lleno si mi madre estuviera viva”, expuso el joven jugador.

And for the Dominican Baseball Guy's English speaking friends that is, "I am happy for the distinction, but the is always an empty space in my heart where my mother was."

Jairo Ascencio is from Sabana Grande de Palenque, Dominican Republic. From his statistics and this performance it looks like he could be pushing for a spot on the big league roster next year.

But the Dominican Baseball Guy knows little to nothing about the Braves farm system. Any Atlanta Braves fans out there to comment?

Jairo Ascencio receives the Caribbean Series MVP trophy, photo by Victor Perez

LIDOM Champions Escogido has victory parade, Campeones LIDOM Escogido tiene desfile de victoria

2012-02-02T10:18:00.000-08:00

As all the followers of the Dominican Baseball Guy well know, Escogido won the Dominican Winter Baseball League (LIDOM) championship last week. And like any major sports franchise, they had a parade to celebrate the accomplishment with their fans.

Players and management made their way through the capital of the Dominican Republic and the home city of Escogido, Santo Domingo. The team started the parade at the famous Quisqueya Studium, the home stadium of both Escogido and Licey, and the parade traveled throughout the capital city. They ended the parade at the Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto where entertainment featured reggaeton singer Secret and the Los Hermanos Rosarios merengue group.

The desfile de Escogido certainly looked like a great time. See Escogido General Manager Moises Alou celebrating and the best photo roll of the Escogido parade. But the Dominican Baseball Guy's favorite image of the parade comes from one of the Dominican Republic's major dailies, the Diario Libre:

Escogido wins Dominican Winter Baseball League title and goes to Caribbean Series, Escogido gana LIDOM y va a Serie del Caribe

2012-02-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

American Andy Dirks hit a walk off hit in the bottom of the ninth inning of the final game of the LIDOM nine game final series to send Escogido to the Caribbean Series. Basically this was like hitting a walk of hit in game seven of the World Series. See the Dominican Baseball Guy post on the very cool and interesting LIDOM playoff format.

Pablo Ozuna, Mauro Gomez, Wilkin Castillo, Julio Borbon and Jose Constanza, also starred for Escogido at the plate. Aneury Rodriguez and Nelson Figueroa provided releif pitching to hold off the Aguilas Cibaneas after they got off to a 4-0 lead.

Miguel Tejada made an appearance and hit a home run for the Aguilas. He is one of the most beloved players in Aguilas history, and in the history of the LIDOM for that matter.

What a game! The Aguilas got up 4-0, then the Leones came back and were up 5-4 in the top of the ninth. MLBer Fernando Rodney blew the save and the Aguilas tied it up 5-5 in the ninth. Then Dirks became the hero in the bottom of the ninth. See the highlights of this great game and amazing atmosphere:

This is the 14th LIDOM title for the Leones de Escogido. They have three Caribbean Series titles. The Leones go on to face the winners of the winter baseball leagues in Mexico, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico. The Serie del Caribe will take place in the Leones home stadium this year, the Quisqueya Studium in Santo Domingo.

See the Dominican Baseball Guy post on the very cool and interesting LIDOM playoff format.

MLB team to sign Dominican baseball player Manny Ramirez? Pelotero Dominicano va a jugar en MLB este año?

2012-01-18T08:57:00.000-08:00

So, I am the Dominican Baseball Guy (DBG), not the "Manny Ramirez Guy," even though we have seen tons of Manny Ramirez posts recently. With that said, any news on Manny Ramirez is news to the Dominican Baseball Guy. Manny is, after all, one of the most beloved Dominican Baseball players of all-time.

ESPN first reported and the Big Lague Stew blogged that Manny Ramirez wants to return to MLB this year. Well bloggers are coming out of the woodworks saying they want him on their team. One article makes a convincing case that there is no downside to signing Manny Ramirez. Basically he will have to serve a 50 game suspension in the minor leagues, so any team that signs him can send him to the minors and if he does not perform well in triple A then he will not get the call up to the big league squad. And in the case that he stays in the minors, he will also earn a minor league salary. So, the article seems to be right on point, not much risk for a big league club in signing him.

Indians bloggers are calling for Manny to return to the Indians. Mets bloggers want him for their team. And how about Manny Ramirez with the Yankees? The Pinstripe Alley bloggers say bring Manny Ramirez to the Yankees.

As the Mets blogger says in a final point, "If nothing else, Manny will provide daily news." Not exactly an argument a GM wants to hear. But for a blogger such as the Dominican Baseball Guy, that is a great reason to have him on your team!

Manny Ramirez es de Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana. Here's hoping he lands somewhere for the upcoming season.

Manny Ramirez rounding the bases with the Red Sox, by Keith Allison on Flickr

Brewers re-sign Dominican baseball player Carlos Gomez, Dominicano firma con Brewers

2012-01-11T11:17:00.000-08:00

The Brewers re-signed Carlos Gomez, and in so doing they avoided arbitration with the player, who will be in his sixth big league season this year, all with the Brewers. The Brew Crew has six other arbitration eligible players yet to resign.

Gomez has been a successful major leaguer over five seasons. He was the youngest player in the NL when he made his debut with the Mets in 2007. He was traded to the Twins in the Johan Santana deal and was the Twins everyday center fielder for two seasons. For the last two years he has been a utility outfielder and pinch hitter for the Brewers. He was an important part of their playoff run last year, even as a bench player.

He should fight for an everyday outfield spot this year, and should see the 90-plus games he saw the last two years. Gomez is from Santiago, Dominican Republic.

Carlos Gomez with the Brewers, photo by Steve Paluch on Flickr

Dominican player Hanley Ramirez OK with switch to 3B, Dominicano Hanley Ramirez esta bien con cambio a tercer base

2012-01-02T18:52:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that Jose Reyes just signed with the Marlins because the Dominican Baseball Guy just blogged about it: Pelotero Dominicano Jose Reyes firma con Miami Marlins, Dominican baseball player Jose Reyes signs with Marlins.

Well, that signing means that the Marlins have two quality short stops. Early reports were that Marlins incumbent all-star short stop Hanley Ramirez did not want to switch to third base. That could have been a big problem for the Marlins.

But in the end, all is well in Marlin land. Hanley hashed it out with new coach Ozzie Guillen and now endorses the switch to third base. He says all he wants to do is win, even if it is at third base.

So, the Dominican Baseball Guy is excited to see the new all-Dominican left side of the Marlins infield. From the recollection of the Dominican Baseball Guy, this could be the best all-Dominican half infield of all-time.

Hanley Ramirez es de Samana, Republica Dominicana, and Jose Reyes es de Villa Gonzalez, Republica Dominicana.

Hanley Ramirez, by SD Dirk on Flickr

Profit from your fantasy baseball skills

2011-12-19T09:01:00.000-08:00

The Dominican Baseball Guy is a huge fan of fantasy baseball and he runs several fantasy teams each season.

Fantasy baseball is a perfect way for LIDOM fans to put their baseball knowledge to the test, as it takes tons of baseball knowledge to draft and manage your team successfully. Not only do you need to know a lot about baseball, but you also have to be willing to keep tabs on fantasy baseball stats on a daily basis, filling any gaps or soft spots in your roster through trades or free agent additions.

If that sounds like a lot of work, it can be, but it's also great training for a potentially profitable way to put all that baseball knowledge to work. More and more fantasy baseball fans are cashing in each year as they put their skills to the test at sportsbetting sites, competing both in fantasy contests as well as betting on the outcome of baseball games. It may seem intimidating and risky at first glance but the same skills that help you succeed in fantasy sports also translate to sportsbetting success.

Preparation is key to both, as well as being able to analyze historical stats and find favorable match-ups. Knowing that a certain team plays well against the pitcher they're about to face gives you an edge when fielding your fantasy team just as it does when you place a wager on an online casino. While your predictions don't always pan out you can be successful in both by simply being right more often than wrong a majority of the time, so you don't need to be psychic to succeed.

In addition to betting on sports you, can use your same account to play roulette online, compete in poker tournaments, and enjoy tons of other betting games. Most successful bettors stick to sports and poker (as they're the only games you don't face a house advantage at) but that doesn't mean you can't have a little fun from time to time and enjoy gambling it up at games like blackjack, craps, or online slots.

BYU baseball team goes 4-0 against Major League Baseball Dominican academy teams, and make huge charitable donation to Republica Dominicana

2011-12-15T22:48:00.000-08:00

As the Dominican Baseball Guy (DBM) recently blogged, the BYU baseball team planned to play a series of games and do some charitable work over Thanksgiving in the Dominican Republic. Well, they just completed their trip.

The BYU baseball team went 4-0 against the Rangers, Red Sox, Royals, and Yankees Dominican academy teams. See the official press release here: BYU baseball team returns home from Dominican Republic trip.

The baseball games were surely a great workout, but the entire team agrees that is was there work and donations with local schools and baseball programs that was the most fulfilling part of the trip. According to BYU head baseball coach Vance Law:

Initially, our players felt they were going to be helping people in need and now in hindsight it was they who benefited the most from these experiences.

The team and coaches coordinated with 5 Star Legacy to make the donations. They donated 1300 hygiene kits, 11 pallets of baseball equipment, and nutritional supplies to schools, orphanages, and private homes. Spending as much time as the Dominican Baseball Guy has spent in the country, the DBG can attest that all these things are sorely needed. Americans take things like toothbrushes and soap for granted, but these things are luxury items in poorer parts of the Dominican Republic. Many of the DBG contacts did not brush their teeth or bath regularly. And a great number of children are malnourished, so nutritional items are also needed. And of course the baseball equipment is needed and appreciated.

Great work by BYU and the 5 Star Legacy Foundation. Visit the 5 Star Legacy Foundation and make a donation:

Manny Ramirez talks Albert Pujols new contract with Angels, Manny Ramirez habla sobre Pujols contrato con Angels

2011-12-12T09:16:00.000-08:00

And so the world of Manny turns. And whatever he says, people (like the Dominican Baseball Guy aka DBG) will listen. Manny Ramirez retired from baseball in April, yet the DBG has found a way to blog about him four times since August.

First, Manny said he will play in the Dominican winter baseball league. Then he was jailed for domestic disturbance in Florida. Then Manny Ramirez reiterated the fact that he plans to play in the Dominican Winter Baseball League (LIDOM) for the 2011 season. And finally, MLB says that he cannot play in the LIDOM because he still has an MLB suspension to serve and LIDOM is affiliated with MLB, so he must serve that 50 game suspension before he can play in LIDOM.

So, as always, Manny Ramirez is in the news, even if he is not playing. And when Manny speaks, the Dominican Baseball Guy listens. The latest is that Manny Ramirez praises the Angels for signing Albert Pujols. O really? Thanks Manny for chiming in. Here is the quote from ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com:

"He deserves that contract; he is the best slugger in history. The numbers speak for themselves," Ramirez said during an interview with ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com.

Manny Ramirez batting practice with
the Dodgers, by pvsbond on Flickr

Wow, some humility from Manny. The DBG always thought that in Manny's mind he was the best slugger in history. Some amazing analysis from Manny, 'the Angels were smart to sign Pujols.' He may have a career as an analyst in the future.

Well that ends another entry of as the Manny turns. You will always be the favorite slugger of the DBG, even if Pujols is better than you Manny. Here's hoping your latest comeback attempt is successful, so the DBG can see you play a few more times.

Manny Ramirez es de Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana.

Pelotero Dominicano Jose Reyes firma con Miami Marlins, Dominican baseball player Jose Reyes signs with Marlins

2011-12-06T16:58:00.001-08:00

Jose Reyes has been a favorite of the Dominican Baseball Guy in recent months. See all the Dominican Baseball Guy's post on Dominican baseball player Jose Reyes. The Dominican Baseball Guy predicted that he would end up a Marlin just last month. And of course the Dominican Baseball covered the release of his regaaeton album in August.

So, the latest is that Reyes signed a six year $106 million dollar contract with the Miami Marlins. Wowza! The Dominican Baseball Guy remembers back in the day when those were ARod or Pujols numbers. But Jose Reyes? The Dominican Baseball Guy loves Reyes, but this seems a little much. O well, he is going to team with Hanley Ramirez to make one of the greatest all-Dominican half infields of all-time.

And the Marlins are also pursuing the great Dominican baseball player a.k.a "The Machine" a.k.a. Albert Pujols. That would give them perhaps the best three Dominicans to ever share the infield together. Needless to say, the Dominican Baseball Guy is intrigued with this possibility.

Reyes is from Villa Gonzalez, Republica Dominicana and Pujols is from Santo Domingo, DR.

Jose Reyes' last hit with the Mets, by slgckgc on Flickr

New MLB labor agreement has little affect on Dominican baseball players, nueva acuerdo de MLB no tiene efectos sobre los beisbolistas Dominicanas

2011-11-22T16:45:00.001-08:00

The Dominican Baseball Guy supposes the big news today in baseball is that the MLB players and owners agreed to a new labor agreement. There will be testing for HGH, another wild card team in each league, the luxury tax threshold was adjusted, some changes to the pay scale for draft picks, yada yada yada.

Let's get to the important stuff: how does this effect the Dominican baseball players, aka peloteros Dominicanos?

If you get to the very end of article the Dominican Baseball Guy links to here, you will see one sentence about the effects on international free agents:

For international amateur signings from nations such as the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, a luxury tax will begin with the July 2012-June 2013 signing season on amounts over $2.9 million.

So, basically the new labor agreement addresses almost nothing having to do with international free agents. It will remain a free for all for many years to come. You think the Yankees or Red Sox or Cubs care about a luxury tax?

The dream of many to have an international free agent draft and/or include the international free agents with the stateside amateur free agents in a draft is well on the horizon. The Dominican Baseball Guy did not think there would be a draft for international guys anytime soon, but this is ridiculous. Why not let Dominican players declare for the draft, and then have a yearly draft of Dominicans that decide to enter it? Seems easy to the Dominican Baseball Guy.

Status quo remains: whoever agrees to pay the international free agent the most during the summer of their 17th birthday gets the player. Really did a great job in moving this forward MLB. Of all the work they were doing, the Dominican Baseball Guy thought they may move to some sort of draft, but apparently not yet.

UPDATE: after some more research and some input from readers, it appears the new deal is even worse than the Dominican Baseball Guy thought. Beginning in 2012, MLB teams can only spend $2.9M on international free agents. If they go too far over this number, they will not be allowed to sign international free agents the next year. So, it is no longer a matter of just paying the luxury tax, it will mean teams spending too much over that threshold will be shut out of international signings. The agreement is similar for the US amateur draft. Bad news for draft eligible amateurs.

BYU college baseball team to play Major League Baseball academy teams in Dominican Republic, equipo de universidad norteamericano va a jugar Dominicanos

2011-11-21T16:54:00.001-08:00

Another day and another amateur team is traveling to the Dominican Republic to play a series of games against Dominican competition. The BYU Cougars will be traveling the Republica Dominicana to play a series of games against MLB academy teams.

The TCU Horned Frogs recently made the trip for a series of exhibition games. And just after them a youth team traveled to the Dominican Republic to play some games and donate some equipment.

Well, the BYU Cougars have the same idea. They collected a ton of equipment and will be giving it out in between their games. They also plan to pass some time at the beach, being that the Dominican Republic beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean.

Good looking out BYU! Any equipment is sorely needed in the Dominican Republic, as there are youth playing with cardboard gloves and balls made out of socks everywhere. The team will spread some goodwill, and get a great workout against the academy teams.

Dominicano Jose Reyes could be a Marlin, Dominicano Jose Reyes va a Marlins de Florida?

2011-11-09T22:07:00.000-08:00

Jose Reyes had a resurgence the last two years, after some down years. So, that is how the New York media portrayed it. In the eyes of the Dominican Baseball Guy it looks like he only had one off year, an injury-riddled campaign in which he only played 36 games in 2009.

Other than that he has been one of the most exciting players in the game. Reyes has made four all-star teams, led the NL in stolen bases and triples three times each, and won a batting title last year. All while playing a well above average shortstop. His all-time WAR is pretty good too. Right with guys like Hanley Ramirez and Torii Hunter.

AND he is a free agent this off season. Apparently he is one of the top free agents on the market this off season, and the Marlins are interested in his services. The Dominican Baseball Guy can hardly contain himself with this possibility. Signing Reyes would probably push Hanley Ramirez to third base, and create one of the best all-Dominican half infield of all-time. And they would have crazy old Ozzie Guillen on the bench.

Reyes is also one of the most renowned baseball playing reggaeton artists in the world! He is from Villa Gonzalez, Republica Dominicana.

Dominican baseball player Jose Reyes with the Mets, by Mr. Littlehand on Flickr

Dominican baseball legend Matty Rojas Alou dies, Pelotero Dominicano Matty Rojas Alou se murio

2011-11-04T17:54:00.000-07:00

The Dominican Baseball Guy is still coming down from his post World Series hangover in which his beloved Texas Rangers blew the series with one out to go.

But, alas we have the Dominican Winter Baseball League (LIDOM) underway, so it is a great time of year for fans of Dominican baseball.

Sadly, the Dominican Baseball Guy has to report on the death of one of the greatest Dominican baseball players of all-time, Matty Alou. The news was first reported by Dominican Today here. Big League Stew, which is a great Yahoo baseball blog, later had a nice post on Matty Alou.

Matty, and his brothers Felipe and Jesus were the first and only brothers to start in all three outfield positions (for the Giants in 1963). They combined to have 5,094 hits, which is the most all time by brothers in MLB. Matty is a legend in the Dominican Republic, and throughout baseball really, because he was in the first wave of Dominicans to play in MLB, starting in the 1950's. He played for 15 seasons and won the NL batting title in 1966.

The Alou's are definitely the first family of Dominican baseball. Felipe went on to have a long managerial career, and Felipe's son Moises also had a long MLB career. Moises is currently the GM of the Leones de Escogido in the Dominican Winter Baseball League.

RIP Matty Alou, one of the greatest Dominican Baseball players and Giants of all-time.

Dominican baseball players in World Series, Dominicanos en el serie mundial

2011-10-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

The World Series is upon us today. That means it is time for the Dominican Baseball Guy's list of Dominican baseball players in the World Series.

Last round, the Dominican Baseball Guy's index predicted one of two league championship series. The Cardinals had more Dominicanos than the Brewers did, and they won the series. In the ALCS the Rangers had one fewer Dominican players than the Tigers, but managed to win the series. They only had one less Dominican than the Tigers, so that explains the Index not predicting it correctly.

Enough about last round. Here is the list of peloteros Dominicanos in the World Series:

Texas Rangers: Neftali Feliz, Alexi Ogando, Adrian Beltre, Esteban German, Nelson Cruz
Saint Louis Cardinals: Octavio Dotel, Rafael Furcal...and o yea, some guy named Albert Pujols

So there were no changes to either team regarding the Dominican baseball players. In total there are 8 Dominican baseball players in the World Series, 16% of all players.

According to the Dominican Baseball Guy's Dominican Baseball Index the Rangers should win this thing easily as they have 5 Dominican baseball players to the Cardinals three. But wait, one of the Cardinals Dominicanos is Albert Pujols, aka the machine.

Should be good series, as always. The Dominican Baseball Guy is excited to see all these jugadores de beisbol Dominicano play, and he is also excited to see if the Dominican Baseball Index holds up. But most of all he is rooting for his loved Texas Rangers and Nelson Cruz.

Dominican baseball players in ALCS and NLCS, Peloteros Dominicanos en los finales de MLB

2011-10-08T03:59:00.000-07:00

Time to announce the list of Dominicans baseball players in the league championship series this year. Last round, The Dominican Baseball Guy's Dominican Baseball Index proved accurate once again. The teams with the greater number of Dominican baseball players won in three out of four series in the 2011 divisional round of the Major League Baseball playoffs.

We will see if it proves accurate for the league championship series. Here is the list of Dominican baseball players in the second round of the playoffs:

Texas Rangers: Neftali Feliz, Alexi Ogando, Adrian Beltre, Esteban German, Nelson Cruz
Detroit Tigers: Jose Valverde, Al Alburquerque, Alex Avila, Wilson Betemit, Jhonny Peralta, Ramon Santiago
Saint Louis Cardinals: Octavio Dotel, Rafael Furcal...and o yea, some guy named Albert Pujols
Milwaukee Brewers: Carlos Gomez

The Brewers were the only team to overcome the huge odds of the Dominican Baseball Index in the first round, and they will have to do it again this round, as they have only one beisbolista Dominicano on their roster. The Tigers lead the way this round with six Dominicans on their roster.

Overall there were no changes involving the Dominican baseball players. There will be 15 Dominicanos playing in the league championship series, 15% of the 100 total players.

Dominican baseball players on playoff rosters, Dominicanos en los finales de MLB

2011-09-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

Every year, the Dominican Baseball Guy likes to put out a list of Dominican players on playoff rosters for each round. So, here is the 2011 list of Dominican players on active MLB 25-man rosters for the Divisional round of the playoffs:

Texas Rangers: Neftali Feliz, Alexi Ogando, Adrian Beltre, Esteban German, Nelson Cruz

Tampa Bay Rays: Joel Peralta, Juan Cruz

Detroit Tigers: Jose Valverde, Al Alburquerque, Alex Avila, Wilson Betemit, Jhonny Peralta, Ramon Santiago

New York Yankees: Ivan Nova, Rafael Soriano, Robinson Cano, Eduardo Nunez

Milwaukee Brewers: Carlos Gomez

Saint Louis Cardinals: Octavio Dotel, Rafael Furcal...and o yea, some guy named Albert Pujols

Arizona Diamondbacks: NOT A SINGLE DOMINICAN...they are definitely going to lose

Philadelphia Phillies: Placido Polanco, Michael Martinez, Wilson Valdez, Antonio Bastardo

This is 26 of the 200 players on active rosters for the first round of the playoffs. This is the exact same number that were on Divisional playoff rosters last season. It comes out to 13% of the 150 active players, which is slightly ahead of the 10% represented on opening day rosters. The Tigers lead the way with 7 Dominican players on their playoff rosters and the Rangers have 6.

Interesting that the Dominican Baseball Guy has seen several of these players pop up in the Dominican Winter Baseball League (LIDOM), and they are now playing at the highest level of baseball. See the tags for Esteban German, Nelson Cruz, Wilson Betemit, Ramon Santiago, Wilson Valdez...all players that the Dominican Baseball Guy has seen in LIDOM action in recent years.

Manny Ramirez can't play in Domincian Winter League, Manny Ramirez no puede jugar en LIDOM

2011-09-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

Just last week, the Dominican Baseball Guy and fans of Dominican baseball everywhere were giddy at the possibility of Manny Ramirez playing in the Dominican League of Winter Baseball (LIDOM) this season. Manny had made contact with his former team the Cibao Eagles, and planned to play with them again.

But alas it was much a do about nothing. Manny is ineligible to play winter ball in any of the MLB sanctioned leagues, and yes, the LIDOM is an MLB sanctioned league. He claims that his representatives are working to get the commission to reinstate him for winter ball, but this is doubtful at this point. MLB rules simply do not allow it.

So, the Dominican Baseball Guy has changed his tune since the last time he posted on the ongoing Manny situation when he said: "This is looking more and more like it could happen." In fact, the Dominican Baseball Guy has done a complete 180. It is looking more and more likely that this will not happen. Manny will have to serve his 100 game suspension before appearing in the LIDOM.

Dominican fans are already disappointed about this. Some have hit up the Dominican Baseball Guy Facebook page saying that he is still going to play, despite these new reports.

It is never boring with Manny. He is from Santo Domingo, DR, but grew up in New York City's Washington Heights.

Manny Ramirez with the Dodgers, by pvsbond on Flickr

Juan Marichal is best Latin pitcher of all-time, Dominicano Juan Marichal es el mejor lanzador latino en la historia del MLB

2011-09-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

The Dominican Baseball Guy is happy to blog that the top two pitchers on the MLB.com list of Top 5 Latin pitchers are both Dominican. As the Dominican Baseball Guy blogged yesterday, Pedro Martinez was voted the second best Latin pitcher of all-time.

And today, the voters announced the top Latin pitcher of all-time, and the honoree is Juan Marichal.

Marichal won 191 in the 1960s, more than Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, and Don Drysdale. He went on to win 243 games, and is probably most well known by baseball laymen for his trademark high leg kick, as pictured below. O, and just to show how big of pansies modern day pitchers are, Marichal pitched 243 complete games and won 25 games in a season three times

He is also known for the Roseboro incident in which he hit opposing catcher John Roseboro in the head with a bat. This incident and the fallout has been mythologized in a play. However, luckily the incident did not define his career in the long term.

Baseball analysts and historians agree, he was the greatest Latin pitcher of all-time. Baseball historian Rob Ruck says, "the greatest right-hander of his era," Ruck said, "at a time when there were great pitchers to be found."

And Marichal's peers and countrymen agree too. According to Indians manager and native Dominican Manny Acta: "he was on top of the list. He was the guy."

Juan was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, and he remains the only Dominican player to have that honor. See his Hall of Fame profile.

He is still beloved by Giants fans and memorialized in a statue in front of the Giant's San Francisco home.

He is from Laguna Verde, DR, and he took a simple approach to the game, perhaps drawn from his life in the Dominican Republic:

I have five pitches. Fast ball, change, curve, slider, screwball. I don't know any hitters. Catcher, he tells me what to do. I can get any pitch I want over the plate.

Juan Marichal statue in San Francisco, by sporst on Flickr

Whose your daddy? Pedro Martinez named 2nd best all-time Latin pitcher, Pedro Martinez el segundo lanzador Latino de todo tiempo

2011-09-22T07:37:00.001-07:00

So, apparently this is Hispanic Heritage Month. And in a salute to this, MLB.com conducted a poll of the greatest Latino pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball. Only retired pitchers were considered. They have been announcing one of the top five each day.

Thus far, they have announced Fernando Valenzuela (Mexico), Dennis Martinez (Nicaragua), and Luis Tiant (Cuba). And then today they released the number two greatest Latin pitcher of all-time, and the honoree is Pedro Martinez.

It is no secret, Pedro is one of the reasons that the Dominican Baseball Guy came into being. The Dominican Baseball Guy saw him perform in his prime. He is probably the best combination of performance and entertainment that the Dominican Baseball Guy has seen in any ball player. No need to dicuss stats with Pedro, but he led his league in Ks three times, ERA five times, and wins once.

Peter Gammons says:

"He was the most dominating pitcher of all time in a span of seven years and the most exciting player I have ever seen."

And the Dominican Baseball Guy heard Dan Patrick saying today on his radio show today that Pedro's 1999 season could be put up with the bext seasons of any pitcher of all-time, and that Pedro should have won the MVP along with the Cy Young that year.

Pedro is so revered among baseball fans that his picture was put on permanent display in the Smithsonian National Picture Gallery. In the experience of the Dominican Baseball Guy, Pedro is probably the most popular Dominican player in his home country (current or retired) at the moment. And that is saying a lot.

So, it is a well deserved honor that he was named the second greatest Latin MLB pitcher of all-time. The Dominican Baseball Guy has a pretty good idea as to who the number one all-time Latin pitcher will be. Think San Francisco Giants and Dominican.

Pedro is from Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic.

Pedro Martinez having fun with the Mets, by UCInternational

Nobody has heard of Jose Bautista, huh? Jose Bautista es El mejor pelotero que nadia conoce?

2011-09-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

So, according to Time magazine Jose Bautista is the "best baseball player you have never heard of." Well I am the Dominican Baseball Guy so I am offended that anyone would not know who Bautista is. And the readers of the Dominican Baseball Guy are highly knowledgeable fans that also know exactly who Jose Bautista is.

He led the AL in home runs last year and one the Silver Slugger Award. He made his second strait all-star team this season. He is from Santo Domingo, but went to Juco in the states before being drafted by the Pirates in 2000. He made his major league debut in 2005 and was an everyday player with the Pirates and the Blue Jays from 06-09, with a career high of 15 home runs in a season. And then POW, 54 home runs last year and 42 thus far this year.

Now the Dominican Baseball Guy knew all that and more just off the top of his head. But Time makes some good points as to why the average Joe fan does not know this great player, mainly that he plays in Canada and for a bad team, the Blue Jays.

As the Dominican Baseball Guy mentions, Jose is from Santo Domingo. He has one of the best twitter handles out there, so go follow him on twitter: @JoeyBats19

Jose Bautista warms up with Blue Jays, by Keith Allison on Flickr

Manny Ramirez to play in Dominican baseball league, Dominicano Manny Ramirez va a jugar en LIDOM

2011-09-20T23:58:00.000-07:00

Well, Manny Ramirez has said once again that he plans to play ball in the Dominican League of Winter Baseball this season. He recently said, he wants to "play before the Dominican fans and to perhaps motivate other Major League stars to also play in the country." And the President of his former team, Winston Llenas of the Cibao Eagles confirmed that he plans to start training with the team next week.

This backs up a previous report of Manny planning to play Dominican winter baseball, in which he said: "Now I'm getting ready to defend the 21st crown of the Aguilas (Eagles)."

The Dominican Baseball Guy can hardly contain himself with thoughts of this becoming a reality. If he does decide to play, the stadiums will be filled for all of his games, and the Dominican Baseball Guy will be there to see the craziness. The Dominican stadiums get packed for even marginal stars, so if Manny plays it will be a true spectacle...think playoff like atmosphere for every game.

This is looking more and more like it could happen, as long as his recent legal troubles do not get in the way.

Ramirez says he wants to motivate other big league stars to play. If all the big league Dominican players returned home to play winter ball each year it could even push the Dominican league (LIDOM) to be on par with the NIPON Japanese baseball league, which is widely considered the second best league in the world. Then if they could get some American stars to join them, well it could theoretically be on par with MLB, considering the LIDOM only has six teams to fill.

But alas, this is a pipe dream. The likelihood of a bunch of big league stars following Manny to the LIDOM is small. There is one major hold up, and that is the MONEY. The players make a pittance in the LIDOM, not even reported usually, but it cannot be more than minor league deals. So, until the Dominican economy grows greatly and is able to support teams that can afford to pay millions of dollars to players, we are doubtful to see any major stars in their prime.

Manny is going to play because he has no choice: he faces a 100 game suspension for a failed drug test if he returns to MLB.

Manny is from Santo Domingo and spent 18 years in the big leagues.

Manny Ramirez runs the bases with the Red Sox, by Keith Allison on Flickr