PANAMA CITY -- With a team that wasn't even supposed to be in the tournament, Panama beat Cuba 3-1 on Sunday to win its second ever Caribbean Series and first since 1950.

Panama was represented in the tournament for the first time since 1960 only after the Caribbean Professional Baseball Leagues moved the series out of Venezuela because of security concerns shortly before it began. With Panama hosting, the Toros de Herrera were invited to play as a guest.

The only previous Panamanian team to win the tournament was the Carta Vieja Yankees, who did it in 1950 with a roster full of American players.

This win adds to what already has been a big year for Panamanian baseball -- countryman Mariano Rivera became baseball's first unanimous Hall of Fame selection in January. Rivera was in attendance for the first night of the tournament.

Despite winning this year's tournament, it's still uncertain whether Panama will play next year in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Panama lifted the trophy after playing in the country's first Carribean Series since 1960. BIENVENIDO VELASCO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Allen Cordona and Elmer Reyes drove in runs in the bottom of the first inning against Freddy Asiel Alvarez and added a run in the seventh on Rodrigo Vigil's hit.

Carlos Benitez produced the Cubans' only run of the game in the fifth inning.

"There are no secrets. I had 29 warriors with a lot of talent and every day they gave me their best," Panama manager Manuel Rodriguez said. "When you play baseball in this way, you are going to get the titles and this win will help the baseball in Panama."

Javy Guerra, a shortstop in the minor leagues with the San Diego Padres, was named the most valuable player of the tournament.

The Cubans won their last title in 2015 and were looking to add a fourth championship on Panamanian soil, where they were the champions in 1952, 1956 and 1960.</s>Panama was only in the Caribbean Series because it was a secondary hosting choice, but it went ahead and won the entire thing Sunday.

According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com), Panama defeated Cuba 3-1 in Sunday's championship game to clinch the country's first Caribbean Series title since 1950 and second in its history. It was the first time the nation was in the tournament since 1960.

The AP explained Panama was only included in the field because the series was moved from Venezuela to Panama for security concerns, opening up a guest invitation.

"There are no secrets. I had 29 warriors with a lot of talent and every day they gave me their best," Panama manager Manuel Rodriguez said, per the AP. "When you play baseball in this way, you are going to get the titles and this win will help the baseball in Panama."



It was quite the underdog story, and the home fans were in a celebratory mood after the victory:

Panama reached the final with a 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico on Saturday, while Cuba defeated Venezuela 3-0. It was a notable win for Cuba, seeing how it lost in the semifinals the three previous years after winning the Caribbean Series in 2015.

However, Panama prevailed in Sunday's title game, and the AP noted shortstop Javy Guerra was named the tournament's MVP.

Guerra is a minor leaguer in the San Diego Padres' system and played 13 games last season for the major league club. He slashed .125/.263/.125 with an RBI and three walks in those 13 contests.

This victory also stands out for Panama because the 1950 team that won the tournament, the Carta Vieja Yankees, did so with a roster of American players, per the AP.</s>PANAMA CITY — Former big leaguer Manny Corpas closed out Panama’s 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico on Saturday night, setting up a championship game against Cuba in the Caribbean Series.

The Panamanians are playing in their first final since 1960, when they lost to Cuba. Panama has one Caribbean Series title, won in 1950.

Panama was a late host for the tournament after it was moved from Venezuela for security concerns.

Oriel Caicedo, who previously pitched in Atlanta’s minor league system, pitched 5 1/3 innings of three-hit ball for Panama. Corpas, who had 19 saves for Colorado in 2007, worked the ninth.

Cuba won the Caribbean Series in 2015 and has lost in the semifinals the last three years.</s>The Western Journal has not reviewed this Associated Press story prior to publication. Therefore, it may contain editorial bias or may in some other way not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal.

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Former big leaguer Manny Corpas closed out Panama’s 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico on Saturday night, setting up a championship game against Cuba in the Caribbean Series.

The Panamanians are playing in their first final since 1960, when they lost to Cuba. Panama has one Caribbean Series title, won in 1950.

Panama was a late host for the tournament after it was moved from Venezuela for security concerns.

Oriel Caicedo, who previously pitched in Atlanta’s minor league system, pitched 5 1/3 innings of three-hit ball for Panama. Corpas, who had 19 saves for Colorado in 2007, worked the ninth.

Cuba won the Caribbean Series in 2015 and has lost in the semifinals the last three years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.</s>This weekend's Carl Albert State College baseball team's home series with Barton County [Kan.] Community College was postponed due to wet fields. CASC baseball coach Tyler Guthrie said the two-day, four-game series will not be rescheduled.
In baseball, the Toros de Herrera become the first Panamanian team since 1950 to win the Caribbean Series as they defeat the Leñadores de Las Tunas of Cuba 3-1 in the final.