Team-by-Team Guide
Amateur baseball had long been the way of life on Escondida, with local competitions having been played since the turn of the century. That all changed with the revolution. Wanting to show off the best sportsmen that the island had to offer, the newly-installed Libertad government directed some of the leading industrialists and businessmen on the island to help finance and subsidise a new national professional league. And so began, in late summer 1932, the Liga Nacional de Escondida.
Six teams competed for the inaugural pennant that year, representing the cities of Centenera, San Rodrigo, La Cruz, Progreso and Tahón. After three successful seasons, expansion followed in 1935, adding two more clubs in the towns of Rio Hondo and Villardondiego. Now, those eight teams compete annually for Escondida's premier sporting accolade - El Campeonato.
You can read more about each of La Liga's teams below, or jump straight to your favourite team's section by clicking on their logo. If you want to learn about the island's Independent and Junior Leagues, you can do so here.
Atlético | Club Orientales | La Cruz | Los Metropolitanos | Progreso | Rio Hondo | Tahón | Villardondiego
ATLÉTICO
Centenera
Campo del Presidente - 8,912 capacity
Playing in the southeastern suburbs of Escondida's capital, as the Liga got underway Atlético were very much looked at as Centenera's second team. That wasn't always the case; indeed the Atlético club are the oldest baseball team on the island, taking part in their first game in 1896. The club has won myriad local leagues and regional tournaments over the years, and the fans that remember those glory days aren't so easily swayed by the riches - and Presidential favour - of their new neighbours, Los Metros.
First LNE season: 1932 - Overall Record: 108-156 - Campeonatos: 0
Manager: Alex Vazquez (53 years old, 70-50 career record)
For a team with a long, storied history, La Liga's first season couldn't have come at a worse time. Having lost many top players to the upstart Metropolitanos, Atlético limped to a last place finish in 1932, and, after improving to 5th in 1933, found themselves back at the bottom of the standings in 1934. The expanded Liga of 1935 saw Atlético make some improvement once again, finishing just two games below .500 in 5th place.
Centenera town profile
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CLUB ORIENTALES
San Rodrigo
Estadio Donio Campos - 6,540 capacity
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San Rodrigo
Estadio Donio Campos - 6,540 capacity
Club Orientales was founded in 1904 to play in the Eastern Coastal League, one of the many early amateur baseball competitions in Escondida whose brief existence are worth barely a mention today. Originally a team made up of university students, El Club still play their games on the campus grounds. Long the dominant force in San Rodrigan baseball, making the step up to La Liga was the natural progression for Club Orientales - though many were worried that the long road-trips would stretch the team's budget to the limit.
First LNE season: 1932 - Overall Record: 109-155 - Campeonatos: 0
Manager: Willie Herrera (43 years old, 68-76 career record)
Club Orientales struggled to make their mark in La Liga's early seasons - finishing 10 games under .500 in fourth place in 1932 before slumping to a league-worst 16-44 record in 1933. The team were devastated on the eve of the 1934 season when their owner, Willie Lozano died at the age of 63. He was succeeded by his son, Willie Jr, who saw his new charges take inspiration from his late father and play their way to a first ever winning record and a third place finish. That progress, however, couldn't be sustained into 1935, as they slipped back to sixth place, 10 games under .500.
The La Cruz Baseball Club - forerunners of the Luchadores - first took to the diamond in 1915 in response to a challenge from the Mayor of Rielves. The La Cruz squad won the game, and soon became recognised as one of the premier ball clubs of the south. Following the revolution, the nearby army training base often supplied players to the team, resulting in the Club being one of the fittest around. As La Liga started play, that arrangement came to an end, but many proud locals continued to come out in force as a sign on support for their town and the troops.
First LNE season: 1932 - Overall Record: 147-117 - Campeonatos: 1 (1933)
Manager: Marco Buzo (39 years old, 112-92 career record, 1 Campeonato)
The first season of the professional era was a positive one for the La Cruz club, as they put together a 35-25 record on their way to third place. For the 1933 season, 36-year-old Marco Buzo was appointed team manager, and he proved a revelation, leading his team to a stunning first ever Campeonato. Hitting woes in 1934 prevented any aspirations of a repeat title, however, as the club slumped to fourth and a first ever losing record. 1935 saw a bounce back to form, and, though far from challenging for the title, a solid third place was again secured.
LOS METROPOLITANOS
Centenera
Estadio Centrale - 13,212 capacity
The biggest and richest team in Escondida, Los Metros were also the newest as professional baseball competition began. Formed specifically to take part in the new league, and with personal financial support from El Presidente, Los Metros quickly gained a huge number of fans not just in Centenera, but from all across the island. They play their games almost within sight of La Casa Grande, and, with packed crowds guaranteed, the newcomers arrived with an air of entitlement. However, as many as there were fans beholden to Los Metros, just as many again couldn't stand the sight of them.
First LNE season: 1932 - Overall Record: 174-90 - Campeonatos: 2 (1934, 1935)
Manager: Edwardo Acosta (48 years old, 104-40 career record, 2 Campeonatos)
Los Metros almost completed their first ever competitive baseball season in the grandest way possible in 1932, but, having led La Liga most of the season with their assembled team of stars, they ultimately had to be satisfied with the runners-up spot. They again threatened to compete in 1933, before fading into third place down the stretch. 1934, however was a different story. With new manager Edwardo Acosta at the helm, Los Metros grew in strength as the season progressed, eventually riding a 13-game win streak through late October and early November to claim a first Campeonato. That success was repeated in style in 1935, as Los Metros romped to a second successive Campeonato, a massive 16 games clear of their nearest challengers.
PROGRESO
Tabaqueros
Campos de Tabaco - 7,225 capacity
In keeping with their hometown, the Tabaqueros have always been something of a phenomenon. Founded in 1929, they won the Southern Summer Baseball League at their first attempt, and lost just two games in the league's final season in 1931. The entry into professional ball was backed by money from the local plantation owners as well as the government subsidies, with the businessmen hoping that their wealth would buy baseball glory for the growing town. Even before a pitch was thrown, the fans already had a strong sense that their ball team is one of destiny.
First LNE season: 1932 - Overall Record: 159-105 - Campeonatos: 1 (1932)
Manager: Edward Miranda (64 years old, 0-0 career record)
The short but storied history of Progreso baseball got the grandest exclamation point of all in La Liga's inaugural season in 1932. The Tabaqueros came from behind and rode a 13-game win streak to claim El Campeonato at the first time of asking, behind mesmerizing pitching from Francisco Ramirez. A repeat win seemed on the cards for much of the 1933 season, but ultimately the young team fell into 2nd place - an outcome repeated in 1934, where a late 9 game losing streak saw the title slip away once again from the Progreso squad. Though another strong season, 1935 once again saw Progreso finish as runners up to the impressive Metropolitanos.
RIO HONDO
Rojos
Parque 10° Octubre - 3,988 capacity
When the LNE announced it would add two expansion teams for its fourth season in 1935, many were surprised to see Rio Hondo named as one of the new competitors. Although baseball had been played in the town for many years, the local amateur sides saw little competitive success, especially compared to the several larger towns still without a place in La Liga. Enthusiasm for the local team is unmatched however, and it seemed inevitable that the Rojos would quickly become a much-loved underdog among the neutrals keeping an eye on the game.
First LNE season: 1935 - Overall Record: 19-65 - Campeonatos: 0
Manager: Joze Hernandez (34 years old, 19-65 career record)
Relying on the expansion selections of 1935, Rio Hondo had a tough introduction to professional baseball, scrapping their way to just 19 victories and a last place finish.
Leones
Parque Leones - 10,010 capacity
The Leones have been playing in Tahón since the turn of the century, and their famed blue caps - associated with winning, island-wide - are among the most recognised baseball symbols in Escondida. They arrived in La Liga already fighting a well-established rivalry with the Atlético club, the two teams having been the pre-eminent sides over the final two decades of amateur baseball competition. A shoe-in to turn professional for the new league, the Leones arrived in La Liga looking to bring their famous baseball brand to an even bigger audience.
First LNE season: 1932 - Overall Record: 125-139 - Campeonatos: 0
Manager: Mike McCulloch (42 years old, 3rd season, 100-104 career record)
Despite their many amateur glories, the step up to professional baseball competition proved too much for Tahón in 1932. Their opening Liga season was one of disappointment as they trailed home in 5th place, and, although 1933 brought some improvements, they still fell just short of the .500 mark in 4th. More disappointment was to follow in 1934, as the Leones slipped back again, ending the year a frustrating 5th. A hint of the old amateur success finally came in 1935, as los Leones broke through with their first Liga winning record in, finishing six games over .500 in a tie for third place.
VILLARDONDIEGO
Tropicales
Parque del Sur - 6,230 capacity
One of the two expansion teams for the 1935 season, Villardondiego were a brand new team with a lot of baseball history behind them. The annual summer tournament was played in the town since 1910, pitching the best amateur teams of the south and west against each other. No local team ever won the event, but the enthusiasm of the local population pointed to bigger things to come. The Tropicales entered La Liga trying to tap into that local love for baseball as they looked to compete with the old guard for supporters around the town.
First LNE season: 1935 - Overall Record: 35-49 - Campeonatos: 0
Manager: Romulo de la Garza (59 years old, 35-49 career record)
The first ever season of professional baseball in Villardondiego saw the new team achieve respectability, finishing in seventh place, but within touching distance of the established teams.
