Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

The exploration of Caribbean Series leagues continues this week onto the Mexican Pacific League. This league currently consists of eight teams from different regions of the country and the schedule runs from October to December. At the end of the post-season the Mexican Pacific League champion receives the honor of playing for the Caribbean Series championship against the winners of the Dominican, Venezuelan, and Puerto Rican Leagues in a round robin tournament format.

Founded in 1945 only one original team remains, Venados de Mazatlan, however amongst the other seven teams the oldest two, Tomateros de Culiacan and Algoddoneros de Guasave, began play in 1965 making each franchise 46 years old. The other clubs include Aguilas de Mexicali, Caneros de Los Mochis, Mayos de Navojao, and Yaquis de Obregon. The Ostioneros de Guaymas, Rieleros de Empalme, and Potros de Tiajuana were all at one time in the league but have since become non-operational.

This fall the Mexican League came to the United States for the first time to play three games at Kino Stadium in Arizona, the home of the Triple-A affiliate of San Diego the Tucson Padres. Hermosillo, Obregon, and Mexicali played against a Tucson exhibition team in the 'Mexican Baseball Fiesta.' The series went so well that Tucson GM/President Mike Feder and Mexican League President Omar Canizales Soto discussed the possibility of placing a team there full time. According to Soto, Tiajuana could revive a team which would round off a ten team association.

Typically the Mexican Pacific League does not have as many names that fans state side would easily recognize and those that they may, at least for the 2011 edition of the league, are not protected on any Major League team's 40-man rosters. In fact, currently no team carries more than three 40 man players (Hermosillo) and two teams contain zero 40-man players (Guasave and Navojoa). One such player not protected but is ingrained in PawSox fans' recent memory is right handed pitcher Jason Rice. Rice was 4-5 with a 3.69 ERA for Pawtucket before being shipped to Oakland in part of deal that netted the Red Sox Connor Jackson.

Other former Major Leaguers who have left the bright lights of the MLB but still have spots on Mexican squads include Mexican native Esteban Loaiza (Pittsburgh, Toronto, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Oakland, Washington, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas) and Cuban Jose Contreras (New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia). Former catcher Geronimo Gil (Baltimore, Colorado), utility man Alfredo Armezaga (Los Angeles Angels, Colorado, Pittsburgh, Florida), and DH Erubiel Durazo (Oakland, Arizona) are also on active Mexican rosters in 2011.

The only two players that currently belong to the Red Sox on Mexican rosters are Jesus Loya and Miguel Gonzalez. Gonzalez had appeared in 13 games with a 2-0 record, an ERA of 4.20 and 14 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched for Mazatlan.