Winter Baseball – Offerman and Bonifacio, repeat champions

In the middle of the pandemic-affected season (2020–21), José Offerman worked as a commentator for the Tigres del Lyce radio station.

When the board “cut the bush” and appointed Ado Vicente as general manager midway through the 2021-22 season, Offerman received a “blue call” to return to the field as manager. The club straightened the course but the result was not as expected but failed in the round robin.

This time (2022-23) and with the bat on the field from the first day of training, the veteran baseball player paid more than the hopes placed on him to end a period of five seasons without titles for the legendary capital team. .

Offerman handled the abundance of material that management put in his hands with wit, tact and intelligence and returned the club to the top spot in the Dominican Baseball League.

With this crown, Foreman joins managers with at least three crowns: Felix Fermin (6), Felipe Alo (4), Manny Motta (4), Ado Vicente (3).

But only Offerman has done it in three different decades: 2008-2009, 2013-14 and 2022-23. And he remains unbeaten as a manager after “scoring” the final 3-3.

In his managerial trips to the Finals, his record is 14-4 for a .778 hitting percentage. As a player, he was at times in the 1993–94, 2003–04 and 2008–09 (manager–player) championship-ending seasons.

With everything on his side and his status as Lycee captain, Emilio Bonifacio has consistently received rave reviews from Blue fans.

It didn’t matter that he was the protagonist of decisive victories against the electorate in 2013-14 and Águilas Cipenas in 2016-17 to win the crowns.

But in five seasons without titles, he rebuilt his relationship with die-hard Blue fans and played in such memorable celebrations after wins that went viral and other teams followed suit.

Now they are back on top after beating Eastern Stars 4-1 in the final to win the championship for the 2022-23 season.

Bonifacio has been a spark in the field, with his contact offense, speed on the bases and adequate defense in center field aided mainly by his legs and his wide glove.

He led the league in 3-pointers during the regular season, helped the club set the record for most 50-game seasons, and was the round-robin MVP.

His actions led him to earn the nickname “Owner of the Game”. He was a sober company, which earned him the “Gentleman of the Year” award as voted by the players.

He was also a guiding voice for the youth and veterans in the clubhouse of the 23-time Dominican League champions.