Puerto Rico won the Series with a 4-2 record en route for a second straight championship (third overall). The Caguas club was
managed by
Mickey Owen and led by center fielder and Series MVP
Jim Rivera, who posted a .400
batting average to lead the hitters. Caguas also received offensive support from 1B
Víctor Pellot Power (.348) and 2B
Jack Cassini (.333). Meanwhile, the pitching staff surrendered only 10
earned runs (2.00
ERA), being led by starters
Corky Valentine (1-0, 1.00 ERA, five hits),
Brooks Lawrence (1-0, 1.00, six hits) and
Rubén Gómez (1-0, 2.00, five hits), while reliever
Luis Arroyo added depth coming out of the bullpen (three appearances, 1-0, 0.00, innings). Puerto Rico also had
Jack Sanford (P) in addition to
Félix Mantilla (SS),
Charlie Neal (IF) and
Luis (Canena) Márquez. Cuba, piloted by
Bobby Bragan, had a 3-3 record to tie the second place with Panama. The Cuban squad got fine work of P
Conrado Marrero (1-0, five-hit
shutout), CF
Sam Chapman (.391, homerun, .609
SLG) and RF
Angel Scull (.391, .522 SLG). Other roster members included
Julio Bécquer (1B),
Joe Hatten (P),
Cholly Naranjo (P) and
Héctor Rodríguez (3B). Panama was managed by
Al Kubski and received a heroic pitching effort by starter
Victor Stryska (2-0), who allowed just one earned run in 18 innings pitched. The attack was guided by 3B
Joe Tuminelli (.391) and LF
Bobby Prescott (.381), in an anemic lineup who batted a collective .255 average and scored 17 runs (fewest in the Series). Venezuela was guided by
Napoleón Reyes and finished in last place with a 2-4 record.
Ramón Monzant (1-0, 3.00) and
Ralph Beard (1-0, 7.20) got the victories, while
Howie Fox collected a 2.58 ERA in two appearances but lose a decision. Bad luck starter
Thornton Kipper dropped two decisions, losing his duels against Gómez (PR) and Stryska (PAN), while allowing four earned runs (2.12) in 17 innings. Besides,
Emilio Cueche made two strong relief appearances and allowed just one earned run in innings of work. 3B
Luis García provided the lone offensive threat with a .348 BA and a .563 SLG, including nine
RBI to lead the Series hitters. Venezuela included
Ed Bailey (C),
Vernon Benson (SS),
Tommy Byrne (P/1B),
Wally Moon (CF),
Johnny Temple and rookie
Luis Aparicio (SS), among others. ==Participating teams==