'There's a reason I'm here': Major Leaguers energized by Caribbean Series

MIAMI -- To play or not to play in the Caribbean Series, with Spring Training just days away?

That is the question that's been asked and answered time and again over the years, as times and attitudes have changed. Decades ago, it was common for star players to participate in the tournament of Winter League champions during the first week of February, with names such as Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente in the 1950s, Juan Marichal and Felipe Alou in the 1960s and Dave Parker and Dave Concepción in the 1970s -- among countless others -- participating.

As time goes on, fewer impact names have played in the Winter Leagues and the Caribbean Series, which always takes place very close to Spring Training. Some exceptions included established Major League Baseball stars such as Vladimir Guerrero and Miguel Tejada in the 2000s. Now, as the 2024 Caribbean Series unfolds at Miami’s loanDepot park, the question has come up again.

Emmanuel Rivera is one example. Since last winter, he’s played almost 90 games across two Puerto Rican League seasons and Caribbean Series, in addition to the 2023 World Baseball Classic, 114 contests between the D-backs and Triple-A Reno in the regular season and 13 postseason games during Arizona’s World Series run in October and November.

After the D-backs’ loss to the Rangers in the Fall Classic, Rivera took just a few days off before rejoining his Puerto Rican team, Indios de Mayagüez.

“I feel good. There’s a reason I’m here,” Rivera said from the Caribbean Series, after reinforcing the Criollos de Caguas and helping them win the title in Puerto Rico. “I rested enough.”

With the D-backs' Spring Training camp slated to start less than a week after the conclusion of the Caribbean Series, on Friday, Rivera is steadfast about his commitment to playing as much as possible.

“It helps me in everything,” he said. “Because I can get to Spring Training ready to go, which is what every player wants.”

A similar sentiment can be heard from others playing winter ball and in the Caribbean Series. Coming off an MLB season in which he hit 17 home runs in 179 plate appearances with the Cubs and Royals, Nelson Velázquez played 23 regular-season games and the entire postseason in Puerto Rico with Caguas this winter. He then decided to continue on with the club in the Caribbean Series before reporting in just a few days to Royals camp in Surprise, Ariz.

“It’s really important, because it keeps us moving with Spring Training just in front of us,” Velázquez said. “It doesn’t just benefit me, but others as well. It gives you confidence and time to get prepared, and not start from zero. You get there ready, and then all you have to do is play baseball and give 100%.”

The intense atmosphere of winter ball and particularly the Caribbean Series -- with national pride in play -- also plays a part.

“It helps a lot,” said former MLB pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who is now the pitching coach for the Tiburones de la Guaira -- Venezuela’s representative in the Caribbean Series. “You’re constantly keeping your edge and it helps you stay in your routine. It’s really good to get to Spring Training ready.”

Wilson Ramos, who played 12 seasons as a big league catcher and is now on Venezuela’s roster in the Caribbean Series, takes it a step further.

“First of all, it’s really exciting. Believe me, you’re not going to feel tired doing something like this, representing your country,” Ramos said. “It helps you get to Spring Training in good shape. It’s not the same now as before, when you’d go to Spring Training to get in shape. Now, you’re ready when you get to Spring Training. It’s something that’s changed a lot in baseball. You see so many players training, preparing starting in November in order to get to Spring Training ready. I think it’s a big advantage.”