A year of revenge, in which he put his injuries aside and returned to show his best version, assured Balbino Fuenmayor that he was the undisputed winner of the Víctor Davalillo Award for the «most valuable» player of the 2021-2022 season of Venezuelan baseball .
The Caribes de Anzoátegui first baseman, also winner of the Return of the Year Award, won the vote with a total of 189 points, 77 more than those obtained by Ildemaro Vargas, his closest pursuer.
It is only the second time in history that a slugger has won both awards in the same season. The only one who had done it so far was Alex Cabrera in 1997-1998 with Pastora de Los Llanos.
And is that the popular “Balibineitor” lived a dream year, in which he even threatened to tie a triple crown. It was key for the Caribes to always maintain hope and finally be able to achieve a heroic classification.
Also read: Caribes do not want to drop the pennant of the LVBP
The Carabobo was the leader of the circuit in RBIs (53) and precisely with that record he equaled Eliezer Alfonzo (2003-2004) as the top drivers in a season for the eastern franchise.
In addition, he finished second in home runs (11), third in doubles (15) and fourth in average (.361). All this for extraordinary OPS
1.016.
Balbino is the third player from the tribe to win the Most Valuable Player, joining Magglio Ordóñez (1996-1997) and Eliézer Alfonzo himself (2007-2008).
“I dont believe it. Being the Most Valuable Player of the LVBP was something that I always dreamed of since I began my professional career ”, Fuenmayor pointed out in statements reviewed by the press team of Númeritos Gerencia Deportiva, organizers of the awards.
“Being on that list along with Magglio Ordóñez and Eliézer Alfonzo in the Caribes franchise leaves me speechless,” added the slugger.
