Odell Jones (USA), Julian Tavarez (DOM), and Cesar Tovar (VEN) are among the five players that will be inducted into the Caribbean Series Hall of Fame on February 8, 2024, during the upcoming Caribbean Series in Miami. The 2024 class is completed by infielder Jesus Feliciano (PUR) and pitcher Francisco Campos (MEX).
Jones is a veteran right-handed pitcher who saw action in nine MLB seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, and Milwaukee Brewers in different times from 1975 to 1988. Overall, in his MLB career, he pitched 549.1 innings, had an ERA of 4.42, and had 338 strikeouts. He played in five Caribbean Series with different teams from the leagues of Puerto Rico (Vaqueros de Bayamón), Venezuela (Tiburones de La Guaira), and Dominican Republic (Licey and Aguilas) and is first in ERA and third in games started all-time in the series. He was a part of the 1997 Aguilas Cibaeñas championship team.
Tavarez was also a part of the Aguilas Cibaeñas championship team in 1997, along with four other Caribbean Series championship teams he integrated. Overall, he played in eight Caribbean Series. Tavarez is a veteran of 17 years in MLB, having pitched 1,401.1 innings at the highest level, compiling a career ERA of 4.42, amassing 88 wins and an ERA+ of 101. He was also a significant contributor in 10 MLB postseason series, during which, overall, he pitched in 30.2 innings and had an ERA of 3.52. This includes performances in the 1995 and 2004 World Series with the Cleveland Guardians (then Indians) and the St. Louis Cardinals. In two World Series, Tavarez appeared in 7 games, during which he threw a total of 6.1 innings in relief and had an ERA of 1.42 and a WHIP of 0.947.
Cesar Tovar is revered in Venezuela as one of the most versatile players in history. He had a long and distinguished MLB career of 12 years and is most recognized for his time with the Minnesota Twins from 1965 to 1972, when he was the leadoff hitter for the team that won consecutive division titles in 1969 and 1970. He led the American League in doubles and triples in 1970 and hits in 1971. In his native Venezuela, he played 26 seasons in the Venezuela Winter League, second all-time in seasons in the league. In 20 Caribbean Series games with five different Venezuela teams, he hit .305, 13 runs, and 14 RBI. In addition, Tovar is a member of the Venezuela Baseball Hall of Fame and the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame.
Pitcher Francisco Campos from Mexico played in two Caribbean Series winners, having played in six series overall. He was named to the Series Team 2005 as the leader in innings pitched and strikeouts. Jesus Feliciano played 18 professional baseball seasons. Campos attained most of his experience in the MiLB in the Dodgers, Nationals, Rays, and Mets minor league systems. With the Mets, he made his MLB debut in 2010. He had a batting average of .276 during 108 MLB at-bats. In the Minors, Feliciano played 15 seasons overall and compiled a career batting average of .276 in over 5,800 MiLB appearances. Feliciano also played for the Puerto Rico Winter League, where he played in six Caribbean Series. He had a combined batting average of .326 in 32 Caribbean Series games. His career as a professional would also take him to play in Venezuela and Mexico.
All these players will be inducted into the Caribbean Series Hall of Fame during the festivities of Serie Del Caribe February 1-9, 2024, in Miami. Loan Depot Park, home of MLB’s Miami Marlins, will host the event for the first time in an MLB stadium.
