The 1959 Pan American Games were the first Pan American Games held in the USA and the third ever. They were held at Comiskey Park in Chicago, IL from August 27 through September 7. They were the only Pan Am Games (through 2008) won by Venezuela.
Venezuela went 6-1 to
claim the title. Jose Flores led the event with 3 triples while a
M. Perez was 2-0 on the mound, as was 18-year-old Luis Penalver,
about to embark on a 19-year minor league career, mostly in
AAA.
Puerto Rico won
Silver, thanks to a 5-1 record. Irmo Figueroa led the competition
in average (.500) while Carlos Pizarro had
the most hits (12). R. Vazquez led in RBI (10) and tied for the
home run lead with 2.
United States won
Bronze at 4-3; their 3-2 win over Cuba helped them lock up the
Medal. An A. Hall, presumably Alan Hall, tied for the homer lead
with two. Charles Davis had the best ERA (0.69). Future
Hall-of-Famer Lou Brock
was 1 for 10.
Cuba had a very
disappointing tourney, going 2-4 and failing to take a medal, a
contrast with the upcoming Fidel Castro era teams that won 10 Pan Am
Games Gold Medals in a row. Urbano Gonzalez hit .353 and Pedro
Chavez was 5 for 9.
Mexico was 5th at 3-2.
Roberto Coto led the event with 5 doubles. Mauro Ruiz went 2-0, the
only non-Venezuelan to post that record.
Costa Rica had one of
their best events ever, going 3-3 to finish 6th. They were followed
by 
Nicaragua (7th, 2-4)
and 
Dominican
Republic (8th, 2-3). 
Brazil pulled up the
rear, losing all six of their games.
|
|
|
|
Wikis
Map
Search
