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1923 in CABA
Guadalajara secured a fifth straight playoff berth in 1923 as the Hellhounds won the South Division at 103-59, 10 games better than Mexico City. “Mr. Reliable” Victor Valenzuela won his second MVP with the outfielder leading the league in the triple slash with a 9.3 WAR. Guadalajara pitcher Aitor Moreno in his second year with the squad tossed 10 shutouts en route to the Pitcher of the Year.
After missing the playoffs the last three years, Tijuana was back atop the North Division at 95-67, besting defending CABA champ Chihuahua by five games. The Toros would oust the Hellhounds 4-1 in the MLCS for their seventh Mexican League title.
In a very competitive Caribbean League, Santiago had the best record at 96-66. The Sailfish finished two ahead of Haiti, three of Havana, and nine over Jamaica. Perhaps putting Santiago over the top was Diomar Glas, who they acquired in the offseason from Santo Domingo for five prospects. The Curacaoan outfielder would get his second MVP, picking it up at age 32 after his first game at age 27. Santiago also had Pitcher of the Year Ulices Montero, picking up his sixth thus far in his decade-long career.
The Continental Division was a two-team race between Guatemala and Honduras. The Ghosts snapped the Horsemen’s postseason streak at four years, getting their first playoff berth with a 92-70 mark, two games better than Honduras. In the CLCS, the Sailfish topped the Ghosts in six games. In the CABA Championship, Santiago best Tijuana in five games for their second CABA title and the first Caribbean winner since 1917.
Other Notes: Toros catcher Mar Pavia won his 11th and final Silver Slugger award. Diomar Glas became the first player to 400 career home runs and Ulices Montero the second pitcher to 200 career wins.
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