(Valencia, January 29th, 2010)—In an outstanding game with their eternal rivals, the Leones of Caracas defeated the Navegantes of Magallanes 7-2, which gave the Leones their 17 title in history.
In the beginning of the game the Leones took the lead scoring four runs against the Navegantes’ opening pitcher, Jim Brower. First, Gregor Blanco hit a homerun to center field. Then consecutive hits by Carlos Maldonado and Celestino López, a double by Raúl Padrón, and consecutive errors by Andrés Eloy Blanco and Reggie Corona completed the Leones’ rally.
It is the second consecutive year in which the Leones competed in a seventh game in the final series, a situation the team had been in four times since 1990 without being able to defeat their opponent.
“It is a great moment for our fans, our team, and our winning tradition. Now we hope to bring victory to Venezuela in the Caribbean Series”, said Luis Avila, president of the team.
The Leones of Caracas became the team with the most victories in Venezuelan professional baseball after being acquired in 1952 by broadcasters Pablo Morales and Oscar Prieto, who broadcasted the games on radio when the team´s name was Cervecería Caracas.
Thereafter, the team won titles that secured its position as the winningest team in the history of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Decades later, in 2001, the team was acquired by the Cisneros Group of Companies, and in the 2005-2006 season was named the champion of Venezuelan professional baseball, making it the most successful team.
Since its acquisition by the Cisneros Group of Companies, there has been a great effort to renew the team on all levels. This has resulted in bringing more professionalism to the team, strengthening competitiveness, developing new young players, and above all, emphasizing the value of the tradition this sport brings.