The Dominican Republic’s Leones del Escogido secured their fifth Caribbean Series title in franchise history on Friday night, dethroning the previously undefeated Charros de Jalisco of Mexico in the championship game at El Nido de los Águilas in Mexicali.
With Leones del Escogido capturing their fifth Caribbean Series title, this time under the leadership of manager Albert Pujols, the Dominican Republic reaffirmed its dominance in the tournament, a legacy that began with the island’s first Major League icon, Ozzie Virgil Sr.
Just months earlier, Virgil Sr. passed away at age 92 on September 29, 2024, in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic. His MLB debut on September 23, 1956, with the New York Giants paved the way for more than one thousand Dominican players to follow in his footsteps.
José Marmolejos, a key member of Escogido’s championship team, reflected on Virgil’s impact in a video interview with World Baseball Network, “He opened up the path. He opened up the path where a lot of us, a lot of the guys that are playing this baseball, we’re so proud to have him, honor him, and I think about it all the time because he represents us as Dominicans.”
Ozzie Virgil Sr.’s Legacy in the Caribbean Series
Virgil played nine seasons in Major League Baseball, spending time with the New York Giants from 1956-57 and again from 1966-69, the Detroit Tigers in 1958 and 1960-61, the Kansas City Athletics in 1961, the Baltimore Orioles in 1962, and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1965.
His managerial career included stints with Águilas Cibaeñas from 1970-72 in LIDOM, Leones del Caracas in 1972-73, Tigres de Aragua from 1973-80, and Tiburones de La Guaira from 1982-84 in Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional.
In the 1973 Caribbean Series, Ozzie Virgil Sr. managed Leones del Caracas, representing Venezuela. Under his leadership, the team finished with a 3-3 record, tying for second place with Puerto Rico’s Cangrejeros de Santurce. The Dominican Republic’s Tigres del Licey, managed by Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda, won the series with a 5-1 record.
Virgil’s role as manager in the tournament underscored his significant contributions to Caribbean baseball, both as a pioneering player and a respected leader. An interesting footnote in his career came in 1982, when his team was technically registered for the Caribbean Series despite the tournament never being played due to disagreements between the Confederación de Béisbol Profesional del Caribe (CBPC) and league officials.
For Dominican baseball history, Virgil’s impact stretched far beyond his playing days. His role as the first Dominican-born player in Major League Baseball opened doors for generations of players to follow.
David Ortiz, one of the most accomplished Dominican players in history, emphasized Virgil’s importance, saying, “Virgil should be for my country as important as [Jackie] Robinson [is] to the African-American community. I’d place his legacy up there with that of those who established our republic.”
Albert Pujols Elevates Caribbean Baseball
Escogido’s 2025 championship run was led by Albert Pujols, a future Hall of Famer in his managerial debut. His presence in the Caribbean Series fueled speculation that he could soon take on a managerial role in Major League Baseball.
“I had him since I was with Escogido. We became champions, and it just tells you about his character,” said José Marmolejos. “He’s always thinking positive, always communicating in a positive way, and believing in us. He’s always bringing that positivism to us every single day, and he could be a great manager in the big leagues right now.”
Albert Pujols se convierte en el tercer dirigente de LIDOM en ganar la corona de Dominicana y la Serie del Caribe en su año debut 🇩🇴🦁
Se une a Tony Peña en 1998 y Félix Fermín en 2001#TiempoExtraRD#LeonesDelEscogido pic.twitter.com/WyFbaJokc0
— Tiempo Extra RD (@TiempoExtraVE) February 8, 2025
Henry Blanco, manager of Cardenales de Lara, echoed that sentiment in an interview with World Baseball Network, emphasizing how Pujols’ presence elevated the prestige of the Caribbean Series, “Having those guys that played in the big leagues for a long time, a future Hall of Famer like Albert Pujols, gives the Caribbean Series a big push to be one of the biggest events in the Caribbean.”
Pujols’ leadership, experience, and winning mentality have already left a lasting impact on Escogido’s franchise, and many believe his next step could be managing at the highest level of the sport.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
With their 2025 Caribbean Series victory, Escogido once again demonstrated why the Dominican Republic remains a powerhouse in Caribbean baseball. The championship also served as a tribute to Ozzie Virgil Sr., whose influence continues to shape generations of Dominican players.
As Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes noted in a reflection on Virgil’s career, “On this day in 1956, Osvaldo ‘Ozzie’ Virgil made his MLB debut with the New York Giants, becoming the first MLB player from the Dominican Republic.”
On this day in 1956, Osvaldo "Ozzie" Virgil made his MLB debut with NY Giants. 1st MLB player from the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 pic.twitter.com/Hbbdl2wVhh
— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) September 23, 2017
Nearly 70 years after his debut, Virgil’s legacy endures, with Dominican players and managers continuing to shine on the international stage. His groundbreaking achievement paved the way for 915 Dominican-born position players and 525 registered pitchers who have stepped onto a Major League Baseball diamond.
Pujols, a National League Rookie of the Year in 2001, a two-time World Series champion, an 11-time All-Star, and a three-time NL MVP, epitomizes the qualities of a future manager at the sport’s highest level. His Hall of Fame-caliber career not only set records but also set a standard for leadership that could one day translate into a managerial role.
