After the culmination of the Grand Final of the Grand Final this Monday with the 14th title of Navegantes del Magallanes, Leandro Cedeño was awarded the "Robert Pérez Award" for Most Valuable Player and after a series in which he did not stop setting and tying records.
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"We were able to finish as champions, which was the goal. Today we went all out, just like we've been doing; that was the key. I'm happy to win a ring in this league," Leandro Cedeño told Televen amidst the title celebrations.
The native of Guatire, who was the third pick of the "Turkish Ship" in the Draft of Additions and Substitutions on December 31, presented a dream offensive line by registering an average of .318, OBP of .448, Slugging of .955 and OPS of 1.403 during the six games of the series.
At King David's table
In the season played in honor of David Concepción, Leandro Cedeño placed his name next to it, undoubtedly paying a worthy tribute to one of the most illustrious legends of Venezuelan baseball.
He became the tenth player to hit six extra-base hits in a Final, joining among others "King David", who was the first to set the record in the 1971-72 final, where the Tigers achieved their first title in history.
The others with six or more doubles in a Final are:
- 1974-75: Adrian Garrett, Tigers
- 1976-77: Dave Parker, Magallanes
- 2003-04: Magglio Ordóñez, Caribes
- 2004-05: Alex Cabrera, Leones*
- 2010-11: Endy Chávez, Caribes*
- 2010-11: César Suárez, Caribes*
- 2012-13: Pablo Sandoval, Magallanes
- 2018-19: Juniel Querecuto, Cardinals
*= Reinforcement
Cedeño's performance in the recently concluded Final was undoubtedly historic, placing him now among the great figures of final stages, as he established a record of runs batted in, which was held by Adrian Garrett (Tigres, 1974-75), Carlos Quintana (Águilas, 1991-92) and Luis Jiménez (Caribes; 2010-11).
His four home runs in the series place him as one of eight players who have reached that number, joining Antonio Armas (Leones; 1989-90), Robert Pérez (Caribes; 2003-04), Alex Cabrera (Leones; 2004-05), René Reyes (Tigres; 2004-05), Robinson Chirinos (Magallanes; 2013-14), Alfredo Marte (Tigres; 2015-16) and Willians Astudillo (2021-22).
It is also worth noting that this .955 slugging percentage is the third highest for a player with at least 20 at-bats in a Final, only behind the 1.000 points of Alonso Phillips (1966-67) and Clarence "Cito" Gaston (1976-77), both with Tiburones de La Guaira.
Fifth MVP of Magallanes
Likewise, it should not be overlooked that Leandro Cedeño is the fifth player to be MVP with Magallanes in a Grand Final, in addition to the second to do so while being a reinforcement.
Joined:
- 2001-02: Robert Pérez
- 2012-13: Pablo Sandoval
- 2013-14: Ramón Hernández
- 2021-22: Cade Gotta
Data extracted from Binary Ball
