1942 Amateur World Series

1942 Amateur World Series

Tournament details
Host country	Cuba
Dates	26 September – 20 October
Teams	5 (from 2 continents)
Venue	1 (in 1 host city)
Defending champions	Venezuela (1941)
Final positions
Champions	Cuba (3rd title)
Runner-up	Dominican Republic
Third place	Venezuela
Fourth place	Mexico
Tournament statistics
Games played	30*
Most Valuable Player	Andrés Fleitas
← 1941 1943 →

The 1942 Amateur World Series was the fifth edition of the tournament, which later was known as the Baseball World Cup. It was contested by five different teams playing twelve games each from September 26 through October 20 in Havana, Cuba, as the host team reclaimed its third championship in five attempts.

There was a noticeably lower participation of teams as the effects of World War II started to be felt in the Pacific. The United States withdrew and forfeited their last four games. Therefore, the number of games contested, as opposed to slated, was actually 26.

Final standings

Pos.	Team	W	L
1	Cuba	10	2
2	Dominican Republic	9	3
3	Venezuela	7	5
4	Mexico	3	9
5	United States	1	11

Notes

• The Cuban squad, managed by León Rojas, took sweet revenge over defending champion Venezuela after the disappointing loss the previous year, with Conrado Marrero this time beating Daniel Canónico, 8–0, in a one-side, pitching rematch in the opening round of the tournament.
• Cuban catcher Andrés Fleitas hit .405 (15-for-37) and was named Most Valuable Player, while pitchers Julio Moreno and Isidoro León won three games apiece and posted sub 2.00 earned run averages. Besides, Luis Suárez batted .579 (11-for-19) and Juan Ealo hit .375 and led the series with four doubles.
• Dominican Republic had a strong finish to win the Silver Medal and beat Cuba in 2 of 3 match-ups.
• Venezuela failed in their attempt to defend their title. Luis Aparicio, Sr., father of future Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio, played at shortstop for the team.
• Mexico was no match during the tourney and had to settle for fourth place.
• The United States team had a 1-7 record before withdrawing and forfeiting its final four contests.

Sources

• Bjarkman, Peter C., 2005. Diamonds Around the Globe: The Encyclopedia of International Baseball. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-31-332268-6