Guide to the 2025 Caribbean Baseball Tournament Starring Albert Pujols
The 2025 Caribbean Series baseball tournament, commonly known as the Serie del Caribe, is set to take place in Mexicali, Mexico, commencing in the first week of February. This prestigious annual event brings together the best teams from the winter professional baseball leagues across Latin America, including the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, with Cuba, Panama, and Colombia occasionally participating. This year, the tournament is creating a stir due to the presence of Albert Pujols, who will serve as manager for the Dominican team, Leones del Escogido. Pujols, a future Hall of Famer and former player, seeks to carve out a legacy in a different role by successfully leading a team from the dugout.
The Leones del Escogido earned their spot in the tournament by winning the championship of the Dominican professional winter league, LIDOM. Their squad boasts experienced players like Robinson Canó, Sócrates Brito, Johnny Cueto, Alex Colomé, Fernando Abad, and Francisco Mejía, as they aim for a fifth Caribbean Series title.
The Mexican team, Charros de Jalisco, hope to win their first Caribbean Series title after clinching the LMP (Liga Mexicana del Pacífico) championship. Featuring former MLB players such as Billy Hamilton, Manny Bañuelos, Stephen Nogosek, Jack Mayfield, they hope to bring the championship home for Mexico, making history since their last win in 2016.
Puerto Rico's Indios de Mayaguez, two-time Caribbean Series champions (1978, 1992), look to end a 33-year title drought. With players like Emmanuel Rivera, Eddie Rosario, Isán Díaz, Dereck Rodríguez, and Henry Ramos, they aim to compete well in the tournament and bring the Caribbean Series title back to Puerto Rico, last won in 2018.
The Cardenales de Lara of Venezuela won the LVBP championship, securing their spot in the 2025 tournament. Though they have been successful in their home country, they are lagging behind when it comes to the Caribbean Series. Ildemaro Vargas, Edwin Escobar, Alexi Amarista, Ali Sánchez, and Hernán Pérez, all with MLB experience, will join forces to change that and secure their first Caribbean Series win.
A special addition to this year’s tournament is Japan Breeze, the first international team to participate in the Caribbean Series. Their inclusion adds an exciting international twist. The team will be led by former MLB outfielder Alex Ramírez, and Munenori Kawasaki, a former MLB infielder.
For Albert Pujols, the Caribbean Series offers an opportunity to prove his ability to manage high-caliber talent. As the manager of Leones del Escogido, Pujols aims to establish himself as a credible contender for a future role in Major League Baseball's management circuit. Many retired MLB players have used their time in the LIDOM to kickstart their coaching careers, such as Tony Peña and Luis Rojas.
You can catch all the action from the 2025 Caribbean Series this week, with the English broadcast airing on MLB Network, and the Spanish broadcast available on ESPN+.
Business and travel coincide as managers, coaches, and players from diverse countries, such as Albert Pujols from the Dominican Republic, Billy Hamilton from Mexico, and Alex Ramirez from Japan, travel to Mexicali, Mexico, for the 2025 Caribbean Series, airing on MLB Network and ESPN+. Meanwhile, the competition in sports intensifies as teams from different nations, like Leones del Escogido, Charros de Jalisco, Indios de Mayaguez, Cardenales de Lara, and Japan Breeze, showcase their skills in baseball, specifically aiming for their respective league championships in this prestigious annual event.
