The Indios de Oriente was a baseball club which played from 1956 through 1964 in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. They played its home games at the Estadio Municipal de Puerto La Cruz in Anzoátegui, Venezuela.
History
The Indios de Oriente replaced the Navegantes del Magallanes franchise for the 1956–1957 season. The team finished second in the first half with a 13-14 record, but slumped to 10-15 in the second half to finish last in the four-team league, out of contention. They improved to a 22-19 mark in 1957–1958, good for a second place and a playoff berth, but failed in the opening round.
In 1958–1959 Oriente finished second during the regular season. Then advanced to the playoffs and clinched the Championship title. As the league champions, the team represented Venezuela in the 1959 Caribbean Series played in Caracas.
With a low-profile squad, Oriente came in on an honourable second place behind Cuba's Alacranes de Almendares after finishing 4-2. Managed by Kerby Farrell, the offensive was anchored by RF/1B and Series MVP Norman Cash, who collected a .360 average and 11 RBI, while slugging .680. Babe Birrer was the top pitcher with a 2-0 record, including a 13-inning victory, a 1.25 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 21⅔ innings of work. Besides, 3B Luis ′′Camaleón′′ García and OF Jesús Mora tied for the batting title with a .417 average. All of them made the All-Star team.
The 1959–1960 VPBL season was suspended because of a players' strike. Returning to action the next season, the team finished second with a 29-23 record but lost the semifinal round to the eventual champion team, the Industriales de Valencia.
In 1961–1962, for the fourth time in team's history, the Indios ended in second place during the regular season after going 29-22. Lastly, Oriente was beaten by the Leones del Caracas in the best-of-seven championship series, four to one games.
The Indios de Oriente declined considerably in 1962–1963, posting an 8-25 record before retiring during the midseason.
Estrellas de Oriente
The franchise was renamed and restructured to become the Estrellas de Oriente for the 1963-64 season. They also were misspelled as the Estrellas Orientales or simply Oriente. Nonetheless, the changes did not create a more competitive team, as they finished fourth with a 21-29 record. At the end of the year, the franchise owners acquired the brand Navegantes del Magallanes and continued in the league the following season.
Yearly team records
Noted players
Joe Altobelli
Steve Bailey
Babe Birrer
Oswaldo Blanco
Carl Boles
José Bracho
Chico Carrasquel
Néstor Chávez
Harry Chiti
Jimmie Coker
Joe Collins
Ray Crone
Tony Curry
Bob Darnell
Bob Duliba
Doc Edwards
Dick Egan
Harry Elliott
Dick Fowler
Jim Frey
Luis García
Bob Gibson
Rod Graber
Eli Grba
Bert Hamric
Jack Hiatt
Aaron Pointer
Julián Ladera
Johnny Lewis
Jack Lohrke
Joe Lonnett
Hank Mason
Ramón Monzant
Jesús Mora
Manny Mota
Mel Nelson
Chi-Chi Olivo
Jim Owens
Aaron Pointer
Dusty Rhodes
Don Rudolph
Johnny Schaive
Wally Shannon
Dick Simpson
Dean Stone
Jerry Snyder
Ron Taylor
Fred Valentine
Gale Wade
Ray Webster
Mike White
Sources
Gutiérrez, Daniel; González, Javier (1992). Numeritos del béisbol profesional venezolano (1946-1992). LVBP, Caracas. Nuñez, José Antero (1994). Serie del Caribe de la Habana a Puerto La Cruz. JAN Editor.