North American/Caribbean Qualifier (Havana, Cuba)
Participants: Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States
What’s on the line: Top 3 qualify for World Cup, #4 and #5 advance to Inter-Continental Qualifier.
What to Watch For: The United States comes off the 1907 World Cup with something to prove after Canada’s dramatic win in the Title Game. Those teams should finish 1-2 here. The battle for 3rd will be interesting, with Puerto Rico being the favorite. However, Cuba is playing in front of the home crowd and anxious to advance. The Dominicans have been MIA from the last two World Cups and return to international competition with something to prove. Mexico gets its first look at extended competition but doesn’t appear to have the roster to compete.
Who to Watch:
Code:
Canada
SP Win Kellum (15-22, 3.22 w/Cleveland Indians in 1908; 133 career ML wins)
C Nig Clarke (.302, 32 RBI w/Cleveland Indians in 1908; .279 career ML AVG in 1447 ABs)
Cuba
SP *Jose Rivera (3-2, 2.08 in A-ball in 1908)
C *Francisco Garcia (.154, 2 HR w/Brooklyn Dodgers in 1908)
Dominican Republic
SP *Antonio Rivera (1-9, 1.79 in R-ball in 1908)
CF *Claudio Garcia (.177, 2 RBI w/Detroit Tigers in 1908)
Mexico
SP *Luis Fernandez (Amateur)
SS *Juan Enriquez (.228, 9 RBI w/New York Giants in 1908)
Puerto Rico
SP *Julio Silva (7-5, 2.03 in A-ball in 1908)
SS *Greg Webster (3 ABs w/Pittsburgh Pirates in 1908)
United States
SP Fred Beebe (27-11, 1.83 w/Chicago Cubs in 1908; 1907 Rookie of the Year)
CF Tris Speaker (.293, 1 HR, 56 RBI w/Boston Red Sox in 1908)