Lions, Loons and Baseball

The Liga Venezuela de Beisbol Profesional

The Venezuelan League began in 1946 with only four teams: Vargas, Yanesito, Magallanes and Caracas. Since its inception, the league has added four more teams. Each team consists of about 50 baseball players, many of which are the property of MLB clubs.

The eight teams compete from October to December with the two winningest teams advancing to play for the league title in January. The team that wins the title series is then slated to play in the Caribbean Series, along with the winners of the Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican League, and the Dominican Republic League. The Caribbean Series takes place from February 2-7.

Leones de Caracas (as of 11/21/2010)

The Leones (translated to 'lions') are 16-17 and 5.5 games back from first place, which is currently held by the Aguilas del Zulia. The team consists of four former Loons, three of which help Caracas boast a league-leading .277 batting average, while Victor Garate provides steady middle-relief for the club.

Leading the team in batting average is former Loon Adolfo Gonzalez, though his four hits in eight at-bats isn't a sample size worth putting much stock in. Teammate and one-time Loon, Eduardo Perez, is seeing a little more time and is batting .215 (14 hits in 65 at-bats). Perez hit a home run on October 31 in a 20-15 loss to Zulia, which saw 15 runs score in the ninth inning. The third baseman generated three RBI again on November 14, where his batting average peaked to .235. The Caracas-native is hitting better on the road (.270) than at home (.143).

The Loons 2010 shortstop, Christian Lara, is also listed on the Caracas team but he has yet to play a game.

On the mound, Victor Garate has been lights out for the Lions. Through eight appearances working primarily as a middle reliever, Garate still has a 0.00 ERA with only four hits in seven innings pitched. The left-hander hurler has seven strikeouts to three walks and if his Winter League numbers are any indication, Garate could be ready to once again suit up for the Nationals come 2011.

Loons Legacy

Victor Garate, a deceptive lefty, spent the 2008 season with the Loons. He was used mostly as a starter, although he is mostly considered a prospect as a reliever. Even in his starts, he would always work from the stretch. He became the second Loons player to advance to the big leagues when Washington promoted him in 2009 after a trade that sent him to the Nats for Ronnie Belliard.

Adolfo Gonzalez was a super-utility player for the Loons in 2007, appearing at all four infield positions, left field and pitcher. The Caracas-native finished the season with a batting average of .296 (93 hits in 314 at-bats).

Eduardo Perez played for the Loons in 2007 & 2008. He was an excellent line drive hitter, who racked up a lot of doubles and gap hits. He played almost exclusively at first base, but did see some time defensively at third. 'Eddie' ranks second in Loons career hits (188), career games played at first base (110) and single-season batting average (.311, 2007), third in career batting average (.302). He is also the brother-in-law of Juan Apodaca, who Loons.com will feature next week. Juan is married to Eddie's sister.

Christian Lara was the Loons go-to shortstop in 2010, playing 98 of the 140 games at the position. The Venezuela-native started the year strong, and held on to a .300 batting average through June, peaking on May 11 at .360, which was among the league's Top 5 hitters at the time. Lara finished the season at .290 (126Hx435AB) with 25 doubles, eight triples, 10 home runs, and 49 RBI.