The XXXV edition of the Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was played in 1993. It was held from February 4 through February 9 with the champions teams from the Dominican Republic, Águilas Cibaeñas; Mexico, Venados de Mazatlán; Puerto Rico, Cangrejeros de Santurce, and Venezuela, Águilas del Zulia. The format consisted of 12 games, each team facing the other teams twice, and was played at Estadio Teodoro Mariscal in Mazatlán, Mexico.
Summary
It was the second straight Caribbean Series held in Mexico, as an attempt to keep high attendance after the disappointing revenues from the previous two editions played at Miami.
The Series had to go more than the scheduled 12 games when both Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico teams ended with a similar 4-2 record. The Cangrejeros de Santurce of Puerto Rico clinched the title after beating the Águilas Cibaeñas in a tiebreaker game. In the decisive match, Santurce got revenge for two round-robin defeats to the Dominican squad. The Mexico and Venezuela clubs would finish round robin tied for third place, with a 2-4 record.
With Mako Oliveras at the helm, the Cangrejeros won the final game behind a strong effort from Kevin Brown, who pitched 5⅓ scoreless innings of relief to get the win, highlighted by a three-hit performance from DH Dickie Thon, which included a two-run home run. Santurce 1B Hector Villanueva earned MVP honors, as he led the hitters with a .533 batting average and nine runs batted in, adding two homers to share the Series lead. The pitching staff was led by Mike Cook, who posted a 2-0 record and a perfect 0.00 ERA in 11 innings of work. Other contributions came from relievers Darryl Scott (one save, 0.00 ERA, 10 strikeouts, five innings) and Willie Fraser (0-1, 0.90 ERA). Also in the roster was veteran catcher Junior Ortiz (.375 BA), as well as outfielders Eric Fox and Gerald Williams.
The Cibao club was managed by Julián Javier and featured players such as IF Andújar Cedeño (.381 BA), C Tony Peña (.300 BA) and OF Moisés Alou (.273, two HR), as well as pitchers José Martínez (1-0, 0.77) and Dave Johnson (1-0, 1.29).
The Venados of Mazatlán were managed by Ramón Montoya and received support from OF Matías Carrillo, who belted two homers and slugged .600, and from pitchers Mike García (no hits in five innings) and Earnie Johnson (no runs in eight innings). Fernando Valenzuela hurled one gem against Dominican Republic and did not have a decision, but his performance earned him a comeback to the Major Leagues with the Baltimore Orioles in the upcoming season.
The Águilas del Zulia were guided by Pompeyo Davalillo, and included big leaguers Jay Baller, Pedro Castellano, Cris Colón, Jason Grimsley, Urbano Lugo, Julio Machado and Eduardo Zambrano, among others.