[FuzzyRussianHat]

Chihuahua took the Mexican League North Division in 1946 at 96-66, nine games better than Tijuana. Hermosillo, who won it the last two years, fell off hard to a last place 67-95. Meanwhile in the South, Merida edged defending CABA champ Mexico City by a game with the Mean Green at 97-65 and the Aztecs at 96-66. For Merida, it is their first playoff appearance in more than 30 years with their only berths in 1911 and 1912.

The MVP went to Guadalajara 1B Prometheo Garcia in his second full season. It would be the first of many MVPs for arguably the greatest hitter in CABA history. The 23-year old from Ojinaga, Mexico in 1946 led Mexico in hits (214), runs (104), average (.358), OBP (.405), OPS (1.024), and WAR (10.3). Chihuahua’s Danny Ledo earned Pitcher of the Year and was the first Triple Crown winning pitcher since 1928. The 26-year old Ledo had a 23-7 record, 2.15 ERA, and 320 strikeouts.



Puerto Rico made it six straight seasons on top in the Caribbean League Island Division. The Pelicans held off a very competitive field at 94-68, two games better than Haiti and five ahead of both Jamaica and Santiago. In the Continental Division, Panama edged Salvador by one game, taking it at 83-79. It is the first playoff berth for the Parrots since making it from 1911-1914.

RF Pasqualino Yanez of Puerto Rico won his third MVP in five seasons. In his penultimate season with the Pelicans, the 34-year old led the Caribbean with 7.7 WAR, adding 41 home runs, 119 RBI, and a .309 average. Rookie Glenn Paolantionio was a surprise Pitcher of the Year for Haiti with a 16-7 record, 2.44 ERA, 241 strikeouts, and 6.9 WAR. Paolantonio had an odd career, getting drafted twice in the first round in MLB but failing to sign. The North Carolina native left for CABA and had this big rookie year, but a torn UCL and two torn rotator cuffs meant he never had a full season beyond his rookie year.

In the Mexican League Championship Series, Chihuahua beat Merida in six games, giving the Warriors their third league title and first since 1926. In the Caribbean League Championship Series, Panama denied Puerto Rico’s bid for a four-peat, winning in seven. It was the Parrots’ first ever Caribbean League title and they added their first CABA Championship in a seven-game classic over Chihuahua. It would be an outlier with Panama, who wouldn’t return to the finale in the next 90 years. At 83-79, the Parrots are maybe the weakest and most unlikely champ in CABA history. Still, the shiny ring looks the same on their fingers.





Other notes: Yves Jean and Jonny Lucero became the sixth and seventh CABA players to 500 home runs. Felipe Morales became the fourth to 4000 strikeouts and the fifth to 250 wins. Leon’s Emmanuel Zavala won his 12^th Silver Slugger at shortstop. Thomas Rheault grabbed his 12^th Gold Glove at shortstop.