The Diablos Rojos of Mexico have achieved a historic first in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) by securing a perfect bicampeonato, a feat never accomplished in the league’s 99-year history.
Achieving the Unprecedented
The Diablos Rojos accomplished this remarkable achievement by sweeping the Charros de Jalisco in two consecutive victories during the Serie del Rey, culminating in a decisive 4-0 win on Sunday at the Panamericano Stadium in Zapopan.
Explosive Start and Dominant Performance
The game was marked by Charros’ errors and Diablos Rojos’ precision. The scorers opened with a 5-0 lead in just two innings, thanks to singles from Julián Ornelas, José Marmolejos, Rio Ruiz, and a double by Allen Córdoba. José Marmolejos added another home run in the fifth, extending the lead to 7-0 and effectively ending Charros’ hopes of reaching Game 5.
Charros’ Resistance and Final Score
Charros managed to score in the eighth inning, thanks to singles from Willie Calhoun and a home run by Dwight Smith Jr., which also brought Calhoun home. However, this was as far as they went, with Tomohiro Anraku sealing the 4-0 victory as closer for the Diablos Rojos.
Diablos Rojos’ Storied History and Current Dominance
The Diablos Rojos have previously been bicampeons in LMB on three occasions: 1973-1974, 1987-1988, and 2002-2003. However, none of these bicampeonatos included consecutive sweeps in the Serie del Rey. The current streak marks a significant increase in their dominance, with 18 titles—far surpassing the second-place Tigres de Quintana Roo with 12 titles and Sultanes de Monterrey with 10.
Their recent success extends beyond LMB, as Mexico has experienced a golden era in various sports. In addition to the LMB bicampeonato, Mexico has also claimed titles in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP), Liga Mexicana de Softbol Femenil (LMS), and Baseball Champions League Americas (BCL) in the past year.
Key Players and Future Prospects
The Diablos Rojos’ roster boasted several stars in their 2025 triumph, including Juan Carlos Gamboa, Carlos Sepúlveda, Tomohiro Anraku, José Marmolejos, Carlos Pérez, Ricardo Pinto, Nick Vespi, and Jean Carlos Mejía. Notably, Robinson Canó, at 42 years old, played a crucial role in the team’s success.
Canó, who accumulated 4,000 hits throughout his career—including stints in MLB with the Yankees, Mets, and Padres from 2005 to 2022—added another hit in the decisive Game 4, securing his third-highest hit total (27) in the postseason.
Looking Ahead
With their recent LMB bicampeonato, the Diablos Rojos will return to represent Mexico in the BCL Americas 2026. Meanwhile, Charros de Jalisco will continue their pursuit of a third LMB title, last achieved in 1971.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is a bicampeonato in the context of LMB? A bicampeonato refers to a team winning consecutive titles in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB). The Diablos Rojos of Mexico accomplished this feat by sweeping the Charros de Jalisco in two consecutive victories during the Serie del Rey.
- Why is this bicampeonato significant for Diablos Rojos? This bicampeonato is historically significant as it marks the first time a team has achieved consecutive sweeps in the Serie del Rey, extending their dominance in LMB with 18 titles—far surpassing the second-place Tigres de Quintana Roo with 12 titles and Sultanes de Monterrey with 10.
- Who are some key players on the Diablos Rojos? Key players in the 2025 Diablos Rojos title included Juan Carlos Gamboa, Carlos Sepúlveda, Tomohiro Anraku, José Marmolejos, Carlos Pérez, Ricardo Pinto, Nick Vespi, Jean Carlos Mejía, and Robinson Canó.
- What does this victory mean for Charros de Jalisco? Despite their valiant efforts, Charros de Jalisco will continue to strive for their third LMB title. Their recent performance in the Serie del Rey marked a significant improvement, breaking a 54-year drought without reaching the championship series.
