Baseball doesn’t stop upon the conclusion of the World Series. 

As fate would have it, Criollos de Caguas visited Gigantes de Carolina to open the final of Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (Puerto Rican Winter League) on the first day of my vacation.  

If you’ve never experienced baseball outside of the United States and Canada, I highly recommend it. It resembles the World Baseball Classic atmosphere, but on a local scale.  

A giant statue of Roberto Clemente welcomes all to Estadio Municipal Roberto Clemente Walker in Carolina, where the late Hall of Famer grew up. A Pachanga band, like the one that frequents loanDepot park for Heritage Celebrations, performs throughout the concourse. Fans bring noise makers and regularly break out into team chants. Fireworks light up the night sky. 

Though Carolina walked off that game thanks to former Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarría, Caguas won the best-of-nine series and will participate in the Caribbean Series, which begins a week from today at loanDepot park. Caguas' manager is none other than retired Cardinals legend Yadier Molina, and former Marlins right-hander Alex Sanabia is on the roster. 

Puerto Rico will compete against teams representing Nicaragua, Curaçao, Mexico, Venezuela, Panama and the Dominican Republic in Serie del Caribe, which will feature seven days of tripleheaders.  

Marlins president of business operations Caroline O’Connor sees this international tournament as the latest opportunity for the ballpark to thrive on the global stage. There will be country-themed food and beverage activations. Live entertainment will liven the West Plaza. The goal is to celebrate each country and what makes it special.

“We want to show that we're a world-class venue, are ready to host the biggest events,” O’Connor said. “Last year was so great with the World Baseball Classic. We don't want the fans of Miami to have to wait until 2026 for that energy again, so we're really excited to host the Caribbean Series this year. We hope to make it huge and have that kind of excitement and energy levels, and we're really optimistic about how it's progressing so far.” 

Attendees also will be able to take in “3,000,” a large-scale photo exhibition of Clemente, which will be located on the West Plaza. It is an interactive experience of the most historic moments in Clemente’s Major League career.  

The exhibit, which is designed to show the number 3,000 when viewed from a distance, includes images from before, during and after the day Clemente recorded his 3,000th hit on Sept. 30, 1972, when he became the first Latin American-born player to accomplish the feat.  

The “3,000” exhibit was curated by Dennis Rivera Pichardo, director of photography at El Nuevo Día, which is owned by GFR Media and is the leading newspaper in Puerto Rico. It originally debuted at the Old San Juan historical site in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before its first U.S. stop in Pittsburgh, where Clemente played the entirety of his 18-year career.

Tomorrow is FanFest presented by ADT from 4-10 p.m. ET at loanDepot park. Claim your complimentary ticket here. 

Veteran first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini became Miami’s latest external non-roster invite to Spring Training on Wednesday, when he agreed to a Minor League deal. Should Mancini make the Opening Day roster, his role would most likely be that of backup first baseman to Josh Bell. 

Here’s a breakdown of the other NRIs as of now: 

INF José Devers
Acquired in the Giancarlo Stanton trade, the former top prospect reached the big leagues ahead of schedule due to Miami’s middle-infield injuries early in the 2021 season. Devers, who just turned 24, missed significant time in '21-22 with a right shoulder impingement, then was designated for assignment in November '22. He posted a .773 OPS with Double-A Pensacola in '23. 

INF Tristan Gray
Gray, 27, had been outrighted by Tampa Bay, where he was blocked at the shortstop position, before signing with Miami. Last season as a September callup, he went 2-for-5 with a homer. At the Triple-A level, the left-handed-hitting Gray slashed .235/.312/.485 with 30 homers and 98 RBIs in 132 games.  

OF Jonathan Davis
Davis, 31, filled in for injured center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. after being acquired in a midseason trade, but his season was cut short by right knee surgery.

LHP Devin Smeltzer
The 28-year-old served in a swingman role for the Marlins in 2023, compiling a 6.45 ERA while appearing in nine games (one start).  

RHP Elvis Alvarado
The 24-year-old Alvarado, who has never pitched above the Double-A level, tossed 12 2/3 scoreless innings in the Dominican Republic this winter. 

RHP Matt Andriese
A seven-year MLB veteran, Andriese hasn't pitched in the Majors since 2021. After competing in Japan in '22, the 34-year-old returned stateside and posted a 6.05 ERA in 21 games (19 starts) for the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate. 

RHP Kyle Tyler
Tyler, 27, didn't pitch in the Majors in 2023, but he made seven relief appearances from '21-22 and flashed a 2.20 ERA. At Double-A in '23, Tyler had a 5.60 ERA in 27 games (26 starts). 

C Jhonny Pereda
The 27-year-old hit .325/.405/.468 in 67 games for Cincinnati's Triple-A affiliate in 2023, then slashed .296/.453/.346 in 31 winter ball games in Venezuela.

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