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Dominican Professional Baseball League

Highest level baseball league in the Dominican Republic


Summary

Highest level baseball league in the Dominican Republic

FieldValue
titleDominican Republic Professional Baseball League
last_season2024-2025
upcoming_season2025-2026
sportBaseball
founded1951
presidentVitelio Mejía Ortiz
confedCPBC
WBSC Americas
teams6
country
championLeones del Escogido
champ_season2025–26
most successful clubTigres del Licey
(24 titles)
related_compsCaribbean Series
TVList of broadcasters
websitelidom.com
current_season2025–26 LIDOM season

WBSC Americas (24 titles)

The Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (, abbreviation LIDOM) is a professional baseball winter league consisting of six teams spread across the Dominican Republic; it is the highest level of professional baseball played in the Dominican Republic. The league's players include many prospects that go on to play Major League Baseball in the United States while also signing many current MLB veterans. The champion of LIDOM advances to play in the yearly Caribbean Series.

Each team plays a fifty-game round-robin schedule that begins in mid October and runs to the end of December. The top four teams engage in another round-robin schedule with 18 games per team from the end of December to the end of January; the top two teams in those standings then play a best-of-seven series for the national title. The league's champion advances to the Caribbean Series to play against the representatives from Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama and Puerto Rico.

History

For his close involvement in the Dominican league's establishment and early development, Pedro Miguel Caratini has been called "the father of Dominican baseball". Four amateur clubs established in the early 1900s still exist today, and form the foundation of Dominican professional baseball: Tigres del Licey in 1907, Estrellas Orientales in 1911, Leones del Escogido in 1921, and Sandino (later renamed Águilas Cibaeñas) in 1937.

The first attempts at an organized professional league came about in the 1920s. Licey, the most successful of the existing amateur teams in Santo Domingo, played a series of 32 games against an all-star team known as "Escogido" ("the chosen ones"); that tournament was won by Escogido, though Caratini (Licey) took the batting title. A second tournament held the following year, now with four teams (Escogido, Licey, Santiago and San Pedro de Macorís) was suspended with only 34 games of the 48-game schedule played, after Escogido withdrew in protest of a controversial decision to nullify a victory over Licey. Licey won the 1924 series, contested against Escogido, as they did in 1929. However, professional baseball saw a hiatus after the 1930 San Zenón hurricane destroyed both La Primavera and the Gimnasio Escolar, the two existing venues for baseball in Santo Domingo.

During the years 1930-1963, military dictator General Rafael Trujillo can be credited with furthering the sport of baseball in Dominican Republic. Trujillo encouraged many sugar refineries to create teams of cane cutting laborers to play baseball during the idle months of cultivation. Fostering high levels of competition, the organization structure continued to mature stimulating growth in the intensity and popularity of the game. Another professional tournament was established in 1936, this time with four teams: Licey, Escogido, Santiago, and Estrellas Orientales, which won the 1936 tournament.

In 1937, Licey and Escogido, the two teams in Santo Domingo (now renamed "Ciudad Trujillo"), were merged into the "Dragones de Ciudad Trujillo," a team sponsored by the dictator Trujillo himself. teams of the Dominican Republic signed a large number of players from the Negro leagues of the United States, attracting them with large salaries by Dominicans with money and political power. Among these players were future Hall of Famers James Thomas "Cool Papa" Bell, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige. Gibson won the batting title (.453) and Paige earned the most wins, as Dragones defeated Aguilas Cibaeñas. However, the lavish contracts exhausted team finances, leading to a decline of Dominican baseball until 1950.

Many of the teams were nearly bankrupted after the 1937 season, and no professional tournament was attempted for the next 14 years. The best Dominican professionals left to play in Cuba, Puerto Rico, or in the American Negro leagues, while popular attention on the island turned to the amateur teams (which, in many cases, were effectively semi-pro teams). However, Dominican victories in the Amateur World Series and other international competitions spurred calls for a return to professional baseball.

Current teams

Cap insigniaTeamCityStadiumCapacityFounded
[[File:Aguilas Cibaenas Logo.svgframeless70x70px]]Águilas CibaeñasSantiagoEstadio Cibao18,0771933
[[File:Estrellas-baseball-club-logo.jpgframeless70x70px]]Estrellas OrientalesSan Pedro de MacorísEstadio Tetelo Vargas8,0001910
[[File:IsotipoRojoVino.jpgframeless70x70px]]Gigantes del CibaoSan Francisco de MacorísEstadio Julián Javier12,0001996
[[File:Escogido_Logo.pngframeless70x70px]]Leones del EscogidoSanto DomingoEstadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal13,1861921
[[File:Tigres Del Licey logo.svgframeless70x70px]]Tigres del Licey1907
[[File:Logo-Toros Del Este.jpgframeless70x70px]]Toros del EsteLa RomanaEstadio Francisco Micheli8,8381983

Former teams

  • Azucareros del Este, 1983–2008, a former name of the current Toros del Este
  • Caimanes del Sur (San Cristóbal), during 1983–1989
  • Delfines del Atlántico (Puerto Plata), this team was never officially in the league and did not play
  • Pollos del Cibao / Pollos Nacionales / Pollos Béisbol Club (San Francisco de Macorís) during 1999–2002, previously Gigantes del Nordeste, currently Gigantes del Cibao

Championship history

Pre-LIDOM era (1922–37)

SeasonChampionManagerRecordRunner-up
1922Leones del EscogidoLuis Alfau23–9Tigres del Licey
1923Season not completed
1924Tigres del LiceyCharles Alexander Dore17–15Leones del Escogido
1929Tigres del LiceyCharles Alexander Dore11–7Leones del Escogido
1936Estrellas OrientalesEnrique Mejía13–5Aguilas Cibaeñas
1937Dragones de Ciudad TrujilloBurrulote Rodríguez18–13Aguilas Cibaeñas

Modern era (1951–present)

SeasonChampionManagerFinal
SeriesRunner-up
1951Tigres del LiceyFélix Delgado4–1Leones del Escogido
1952Águilas CibaeñasRodolfo Fernández4–3Tigres del Licey
1953Tigres del LiceyOscar Rodríguez4–1Águilas Cibaeñas
1954Estrellas OrientalesRamón Bragaña4–1Tigres del Licey
1955–56Leones del EscogidoFrank Genovese4–3Águilas Cibaeñas
1956–57Leones del EscogidoRed Davis5–2Tigres del Licey
1957–58Leones del EscogidoSalty Parker5–1Estrellas Orientales
1958–59Tigres del LiceyJoe Schultz5–4Leones del Escogido
1959–60Leones del EscogidoPete Reiser5–1Estrellas Orientales
1960–61Leones del EscogidoPepe Lucas5–2Águilas Cibaeñas
1961–62 season not completed due to the fall of Rafael Trujillo
1962–63 season not held due to political instability
1963–64Tigres del LiceyVernon Benson5–3Águilas Cibaeñas
1964–65Águilas CibaeñasAl Widmar5–0Leones del Escogido
1965–66 season not held due to US occupation of the Dominican Republic
1966–67Águilas CibaeñasPete Peterson5–3Leones del Escogido
1967–68Estrellas OrientalesTony Pacheco5–3Leones del Escogido
1968–69Leones del EscogidoAndy Gilbert5–2Estrellas Orientales
1969–70Tigres del LiceyManny Mota5–1Águilas Cibaeñas
1970–71Tigres del LiceyManny Mota6–1Leones del Escogido
1971–72Águilas CibaeñasOzzie Virgil5–3Tigres del Licey
1972–73Tigres del LiceyTom Lasorda5–2Estrellas Orientales
1973–74Tigres del LiceyTom Lasorda5–2Águilas Cibaeñas
1974–75Águilas CibaeñasAl Widmar5–4Estrellas Orientales
1975–76Águilas CibaeñasTim Murtaugh5–3Tigres del Licey
1976–77Tigres del LiceyBuck Rodgers5–2Águilas Cibaeñas
1977–78Águilas CibaeñasJohnny Lipon5–2Tigres del Licey
1978–79Águilas CibaeñasJohnny Lipon5–0Leones del Escogido
1979–80Tigres del LiceyDel Crandall5–1Estrellas Orientales
1980–81Leones del EscogidoFelipe Rojas Alou5–4Águilas Cibaeñas
1981–82Leones del EscogidoFelipe Rojas Alou5–1Estrellas Orientales
1982–83Tigres del LiceyManny Mota5–2Águilas Cibaeñas
1983–84Tigres del LiceyManny Mota4–3Águilas Cibaeñas
1984–85Tigres del LiceyTerry Collins4–1Azucareros del Este
1985–86Águilas CibaeñasWinston Llenas4–1Tigres del Licey
1986–87Águilas CibaeñasWinston Llenas4–1Estrellas Orientales
1987–88Leones del EscogidoPhil Regan4–3Estrellas Orientales
1988–89Leones del EscogidoPhil Regan4–0Tigres del Licey
1989–90Leones del EscogidoFelipe Rojas Alou4–1Águilas Cibaeñas
1990–91Tigres del LiceyJohn Roseboro4–1Leones del Escogido
1991–92Leones del EscogidoFelipe Rojas Alou4–0Estrellas Orientales
1992–93Águilas CibaeñasMiguel Diloné4–2Azucareros del Este
1993–94Tigres del LiceyCasey Parsons4–1Águilas Cibaeñas
1994–95Azucareros del EsteArt Howe4–2Águilas Cibaeñas
1995–96Águilas CibaeñasTerry Francona4–1Estrellas Orientales
1996–97Águilas CibaeñasMike Quade4–0Leones del Escogido
1997–98Águilas CibaeñasTony Peña4–2Tigres del Licey
1998–99Tigres del LiceyDave Jauss5–4Leones del Escogido
1999–00Águilas CibaeñasTony Peña4–3Estrellas Orientales
2000–01Águilas CibaeñasFélix Fermín4–2Leones del Escogido
2001–02Tigres del LiceyBob Geren4–3Águilas Cibaeñas
2002–03Águilas CibaeñasFélix Fermín4–0Leones del Escogido
2003–04Tigres del LiceyManny Acta4–1Gigantes del Cibao
2004–05Águilas CibaeñasFélix Fermín4–3Tigres del Licey
2005–06Tigres del LiceyRafael Landestoy5–2Águilas Cibaeñas
2006–07Águilas CibaeñasFélix Fermín5–1Tigres del Licey
2007–08Águilas CibaeñasFélix Fermín5–3Tigres del Licey
2008–09Tigres del LiceyJosé Offerman5–0Gigantes del Cibao
2009–10Leones del EscogidoKen Oberkfell5–4Gigantes del Cibao
2010–11Toros del EsteDean Treanor5–0Estrellas Orientales
2011–12Leones del EscogidoKen Oberkfell5–4Águilas Cibaeñas
2012–13Leones del EscogidoAudo Vicente5–0Águilas Cibaeñas
2013–14Tigres del LiceyJose Offerman5–2Leones del Escogido
2014–15Gigantes del CibaoAudo Vicente5–3Estrellas Orientales
2015–16Leones del EscogidoLuis Rojas5–1Tigres del Licey
2016–17Tigres del LiceyAudo Vicente5–4Águilas Cibaeñas
2017–18Águilas CibaeñasLino Rivera4–3Tigres del Licey
2018–19Estrellas OrientalesFernando Tatís5–1Toros del Este
2019–20Toros del EsteLino Rivera5–3Tigres del Licey
2020–21Aguilas CibaeñasFélix Fermín4–3Gigantes del Cibao
2021–22Gigantes del CibaoLuis Urueta4–1Estrellas Orientales
2022–23Tigres del LiceyJose Offerman4–1Estrellas Orientales
2023–24Tigres del LiceyGilbert Gomez4–3Estrellas Orientales
2024–25Leones del EscogidoAlbert Pujols4–3Tigres del Licey
2025–26Leones del EscogidoRamón Santiago4–1Toros del Este
Won Caribbean Series
TeamChampionships
Tigres del Licey24 (2)*
Águilas Cibaeñas22
Leones del Escogido18 (1)*
Estrellas Orientales3 (1)*
Toros del Este3
Gigantes del Cibao2
Dragones de Ciudad Trujillo0 (1)*
Caimanes del Sur0

*Championships won before LIDOM (1951)

Statistical leaders

*Bold
Denotes elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Denotes an active player.A player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or not played for a full season.

Career leaders

StatPlayerYearsTotalTeam(s)AVGHRRBIRHSBOBPSLG
DOM Manuel Mota1957–1980.333Escogido, Licey
DOM Juan Francisco2007–202585Licey, Toros, Gigantes, Águilas
DOM Rafael Batista1964–1985395Estrellas
DOM Luis Polonia1984–2010517Águilas
DOM Luis Polonia1984–2010927Águilas
DOM Miguel Diloné1974–1994395Águilas
DOM Stanley Javier1981–2002.416Águilas
DOM Alonzo Perry1951–1959.490Licey, Estrellas
StatPlayerYearsTotalTeam(s)WERAWHIPGSSVGCGIPKShutouts
DOM Diomedes Olivo1951–196486Licey
DOM Juan Marichal1957–19741.87Escogido
DOM Juan Marichal1957–19741.04Escogido
CUB Raúl Valdés2003–2025161Licey, Toros, Estrellas, Gigantes, Escogido, Águilas
DOM Jairo Asencio2010–2025169Licey
DOM Ramón de los Santos1971–1987364Licey, Estrellas, Escogido
DOM Diomedes Olivo1951–196470Licey
DOM Federico Olivo1951–19721335.2Licey, Estrellas
DOM Diomedes Olivo1951–1964742Licey
DOM Diomedes Olivo1951–196414Licey

Single-season leaders

StatPlayerSeasonTotalTeam(s)AVGHRRBIRHSBOBPSLG
USA Ralph Garr1970–71.457Estrellas
DOM Víctor Díaz2008–0917Águilas
DOM Alonzo Perry195353Licey,
USA Ralph Garr1970–7158Estrellas
USA Ralph Garr1970–71105Estrellas
DOM Miguel Diloné1976–7744Águilas
USA Jeff DaVanon2001–02.514Águilas
USA Andy Barkett2000–01.736Águilas
StatPlayerSeasonTotalTeam(s)WERAWHIPGSSVGCGIPKShutouts
USA Terris McDuffie195212Águilas
DOM Bartolo Colón1996–970.21Águilas
DOM Rafael Soriano2003–04Escogido
DOM Edwin Uceta2021–220.63Estrellas
DOM Danilo Rivas1960–6120Escogido
DOM Marcos Mateo2014–1521Estrellas
DOM Víctor Cruz1976–7735Licey
DOM Carlos Julio Pérez1977–78Licey
USA Charlie Hough1970–71Escogido
USA Terris McDuffie195215Águilas
USA Fred Waters1955–56173.2Águilas
DOM Diomedes Olivo1960–61160Licey
USA Norman Rehm1957–5814Estrellas
USA Fred Kipp1957–58Licey

Honors and awards

Most Valuable Player

SeasonPlayerTeam
1977-78DOM Carlos PérezTigres del Licey
1978-79USA Bob BeallÁguilas Cibaeñas
1979-80USA Jerry DybzinskiTigres del Licey
1980-81DOM Tony PeñaÁguilas Cibaeñas
1981-82DOM Tony PeñaÁguilas Cibaeñas
1982-83DOM Tony PeñaÁguilas Cibaeñas
1983-84DOM Rufino LinaresCaimanes del Sur
1984-85USA Ken HowellTigres del Licey
1985-86DOM Rufino LinaresLeones del Escogido
1986-87USA Bob BrowerToros del Este
1987-88USA Mark ParentEstrellas Orientales
1988-89DOM Domingo MichelTigres del Licey
1989-90USA Dave HansenTigres del Licey
1990-91DOM Andújar CedeñoToros del Este
1991-92DOM Luis MercedesEstrellas Orientales
1992-93USA Tom MarshÁguilas Cibaeñas
1993-94DOM Gerónimo BerroaLeones del Escogido
1994-95DOM Domingo MartínezÁguilas Cibaeñas
1995-96PAN Sherman ObandoÁguilas Cibaeñas
1996-97DOM Tony BatistaÁguilas Cibaeñas
1997-98DOM José OlivaEstrellas Orientales
1998-99DOM Adrián BeltréÁguilas Cibaeñas
1999-00DOM David OrtizLeones del Escogido
2000-01DOM Félix JoséEstrellas Orientales
2001-02USA Eric ByrnesTigres del Licey
2002-03DOM Félix JoséEstrellas Orientales
2003-04DOM Julio RamírezGigantes del Cibao
2004-05DOM Erick AlmonteEstrellas Orientales
2005-06DOM Willis OtáñezTigres del Licey
2006-07DOM Erick AlmonteGigantes del Cibao
2007-08CUB Brayan PeñaGigantes del Cibao
2008-09DOM Víctor DíazÁguilas Cibaeñas
2009-10DOM Juan FranciscoGigantes del Cibao
2010-11DOM Juan FranciscoGigantes del Cibao
2011-12DOM Joaquín AriasÁguilas Cibaeñas
2012-13DOM Héctor LunaÁguilas Cibaeñas
2013-14DOM Gregory PolancoLeones del Escogido
2014-15DOM Marcos MateoEstrellas Orientales
2015-16USA Tyler WhiteEstrellas Orientales
2016-17DOM Rubén SosaLeones del Escogido
2017-18DOM Franchy CorderoLeones del Escogido
2018-19DOM Jordany ValdespinToros del Este
2019-20USA Peter O'BrienToros del Este
2020-21DOM Ronald GuzmánGigantes del Cibao
2021-22DOM César ValdezTigres del Licey
2022-23DOM Ronny MauricioTigres del Licey
2023-24DOM Ronny SimonToros del Este
2024-25DOM Aderlin RodríguezÁguilas Cibaeñas

List of broadcasters

Dominican Republic
CDN Deportes (Águilas)
Coral 39 (Estrellas, Toros)
Digital 15 (Licey, Escogido)
Telemedios Dominicanos Canal 8 (Gigantes)
Teleuniverso Canal 29 (Águilas)
CTT Canal 49 (Gigantes)
Telenord Canal 14 (Gigantes)
Luna TV Canal 25 (Águilas)
Romana TV Canal 42 y 48 (Toros)
Xtremo Channel (Estrellas)
Claro TV+
Altice TV
Wind Telecom
CableNET Dominicana (Gigantes)
United States
Televisión Dominicana (Gigantes, Toros, Estrellas)
Telemicro Internacional (Licey)
Puerto Rico
Televisión Dominicana (Gigantes, Toros, Estrellas)
Streaming
MLB.tv
YouTube (Licey, Águilas)

Notes

References

References

  1. "Associated Members of the WBSC". World Baseball Softball Confederation.
  2. [http://www.ebeisbol.com/2009/01/15/historia-de-la-serie-del-caribe/ HISTORIA DE LA SERIE DEL CARIBE] {{webarchive. link. (February 5, 2011 . Accessed on 2011-01-12.)
  3. (1995). "Puerto Rico's Winter League: A History of Major League Baseball's Launching Pad". McFarland.
  4. (2022). "Early History of Baseball in the Dominican Republic". Society for American Baseball Research.
  5. (1 November 2016). "1922: El primer campeonato o campeonato de la reina". Tigres del Liceey.
  6. (29 November 2016). "1923: Inconcluso". Tigres del Liceey.
  7. Klein, Alan. (1989). "Baseball as Underdevelopment: The Political-Economy of Sport in the Dominican Republic". Northwestern University.
  8. (1 November 2016). "El Campeonato del 1937". Tigres del Liceey.
  9. (2023). "Pitching Democracy: Baseball and Politics in the Dominican Republic". University of Texas.
  10. "Records".
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