Except for the defeat in 2014-15, Navegantes del Magallanes has taken the measure of Caribes de Anzoátegui in the Finals, in fact, its last three titles have been against the eastern team and being crowned in the process at the Alfonso “Chico” Carrasquel in Puerto La Cruz in the years 2014, 2022 and the most current in 2026.
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Now, at the same time as lifting the trophy in the capital of Anzoatiguense, the “Turkish Ship” has won in each of its last five visits to the Portocruz arena, that is, three victories in the recently concluded series – games 1, 2 and 6 – and the triumphs in the sixth and seventh clash facing the 2021-22 title.
So, Magallanes has won seven of the 12 matches for the pennant played in Puerto La Cruz and in total has a record of 13-10 against Caribes, in what is already becoming a classic within the LVBP, since this was the fourth final between aborigines and Turks; tying the fourth most repeated confrontation in Finals, along with the Sharks vs. Tigers and Magellan vs. Tigers.
They are only surpassed by Leones vs. Tigres, who have faced each other five times; including three between 2005 and 2009, six Lions vs. Sharks (most recent in 2023) and Lions vs. Cardinals with eight duels, the last of them in the 2018-19 decision.
However, and back to the intention of the note, let’s review those three times in which Magallanes has graduated in Puerto La Cruz.
The night of Ramón Hernández
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Game 5: Magallanes 11-6 Caribes
Those led by Carlos Garcia reached the fifth game after a HR by Eduardo Escobar against Orangel Arenas in the bottom of the 10th inning deprived them of sweeping the previous night.
However, Ramón Hernández came out with a couple of home runs, as part of a day of four hits in five at-bats, two scored and six RBIs in that fifth game, to finish rounding off his investiture as the MVP of that Final and the filibusters reached the third two-time championship in their history.
It should be noted that in that series for the pennant, “Moncho” hit a very robust .727 (8-for-11) with three homers, 10 runs batted in and an OPS of 2.295 in three games.
Ángel Reyes was the hero of the comeback
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Game 7: Magallanes 3-2 Caribes
One night after Yohander Méndez led the shutout of Magallanes to force the seventh game, Ángel Reyes hit a solo home run opening the eighth inning off Yohan Pino’s deliveries to break the two-run tie and put those then led by Wilfredo Romero six outs away from the title.
Everyone remembers Romero’s epic harangue; Manager of the Year in that campaign and a confessed devotee, to motivate Yohander Méndez in his opening of that sixth game.
Earlier in that same game, Cade Gotta hit a home run to tie the game 1-1 in the top of the fifth frame, the second in a series for the crown in which he hit .370 (10-for-27) with five extra-base hits – including three doubles -, 10 home runs, a Slugging percentage of .704 and an OPS of 1.142 to end up winning the MVP.
A ruthless offensive
Monday, February 2, 2026
Game 6: Magallanes 14-6 Caribes
After not being able to win at home, those led by Yadier Molina went out with everything to resolve the matter in the “Chico”.
Tucupita Marcano sparked a seven-run rally in the fifth inning by hitting a double that sent Wilfredo Tovar to the rubber. Meanwhile, Rougned Odor hit a home run in the sixth, as part of a four-hit effort – also including a double – in five at-bats, two scored and five brought to the plate.
Leandro Cedeño was awarded MVP, after a Final in which he set a record for RBIs (14), tied the record for home runs (4) and extra-base hits (6). His offensive line averaged .318, OBP of .448, Slugging percentage of .955 and OPS of 1.403 during the six games of the series.
