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1984 in BSA

Ciudad Guayana won back-to-back Bolivar League North Division titles with a 94-68 mark in 1984. The Giants led the league in runs scored (712) and fewest allowed (550), although they were only two games ahead of Caracas for the division crown. In the South Division, Lima was first with an impressive turnaround from their 66 win mark the prior year. The Lobos won the title at 92-70 to end an 11-year playoff drought. Cali was second at 86-76, while defending BL champ Quito dropped to fourth at 76-86.
Bolivar League MVP went to Cali catcher Sancho Sanchez. The 25-year old Colombian led in WAR (9.3) and batting average (.363), adding a 1.010 OPS, 29 home runs, and 80 RBI. Valencia’s Lazaro Rodriguez won a historic ninth Pitcher of the Year and became the second Beisbol Sudamerica pitcher to win two Triple Crowns. Rodriguez had a 20-8 record, 1.71 ERA, and 361 strikeouts; leading in Ks for the 11th straight season. He also led in WHIP (0.76), K/BB (10.9), FIP- (41), and WAR (11.8). This would be the last great season for Rodriguez with a torn flexor tendon coming four starts into 1985. Still, he remains the only BSA pitcher to win the top award nine times and one of very few in any league to do so.

The top two records in the Southern Cone League were Recife and Belo Horizonte in the Brazil Division. The Retrievers (99-63) finished one game better than the Hogs (98-64), giving Recife its second division crown. Defending Copa Sudamerica champ Sao Paulo was third at 89-73. The South Division was incredible competitive as well. Concepcion secured its first-ever division title at 89-73, beating Cordoba by one, Rosario by three, and Montevideo by four.
League MVP went to Buenos Aires second baseman Kip Flores. Nicknamed “T-Bone,” the 25-year old Paraguayan led in WAR (9.9), hits (216), total bases (361), average (.372), OBP (.402), OPS (1.024), and wRC+ (199). Belo Horizonte’s Benjamim Alegre won his fourth Pitcher of the Year in five years. He led in WAR (10.8), FIP- (36), WHIP (0.85), and K/BB (14.6), adding a 2.29 ERA over 228.1 innings, 365 strikeouts, a 14-11 record, and 14 saves.
The 1984 postseason was unique as three of the four finalists were teams from the 1974 league expansion. Ciudad Guayana downed Lima 4-1 in the Bolivar League Championship Series, while Recife edged Conception 4-3 in the Southern Cone Championship. Thus, the 54th Copa Sudamerica would have two expansion teams earning their first shot at the overall crown.

In the finale, the Giants topped the Retrievers 4-2 and brought the cup to Venezuela. 3B Slim Villar was finals MVP with 15 hits, 5 runs, 2 home runs, 7 RBI, and 8 stolen bases in 11 playoff starts.

Other notes: Cali’s Matias Punete had the 37th Perfect Game in Beisbol Sudamerica history, striking out seven against Quito on August 7. Lazaro Rodriguez became the ninth pitcher to 2500 career wins. Valor Melo became the sixth to 1500 runs scored and the 25th to 2500 hits. Celso Galo became the 13th to 1500 RBI. Leonardo Valez won his 12th and final Gold Glove at third base, a record for the position.
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