First-year player Justin Turner -- yes, that one -- and a plethora of former Major League Baseball players helped the Toros de Tijuana win the 2026 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) Serie del Rey on Tuesday.
Tijuana defeated the Olmecas de Tabasco in six games for the title. It was the third in franchise history. The Toros prevailed in a defensive classic on Tuesday in Game 6, winning 2-0 behind five pitchers who allowed just three total hits. Former Twin Gilberto Celestino drove in both Tijuana runs with a fifth-inning single.
Though he was hitless on Tuesday, 10-year big leagueràHernán Pérez took home series MVP honors. In the postseason, he posted three home runs, five doubles, 19 RBIs and a .908 OPS in 18 games.
Turner, 41, was a key to TijuanaâÂÂs success during the year after spending last season with the Cubs. He slashed .295/.395/.469 with six homers over 65 games, all while commuting to the ballpark from his home in San Diego. Turner was 1-for-3 on Tuesday.
Nine other former Major Leaguers appeared in TuesdayâÂÂs series clincher for Tijuana: Franchy Cordero, Wilmer Flores,àJunior Lake,àTomás Telis,àAdonis Medina, Adbert Alzolay, Jonathan Aro, Roel RamÃÂrez andàBrett de Geus. The club is managed by former All-Star and 13-year big leaguer Roberto Kelly.