Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.

Earlier this month, Padres shortstop Javy Guerra was the Most Valuable Player of the Caribbean Series … in which he wasn’t supposed to be playing.

“I am proud, but it is crazy,” Guerra said Wednesday morning in the Padres clubhouse.

First of all, Panama was not originally scheduled to play in the Caribbean Series. Although Panama has a winter league, it was not one of the six countries scheduled to participate in the Caribbean Series.

But when strife-torn Venezuela was forced to back out as the host nation for the third straight year, Panama stepped in at the last second in to host the event … with one small caveat. If Panama was going to host, it would have its national championship team in the six-nation field.

Without Panama stepping up as a possible host, the Caribbean Series faced cancellation. So the ruling body dropped Venezuela from the field and added Panamanian champion Toros de Herrera.

Still, Padres infielders Guerra and Allen Cordoba played on Panama West, which finished last in the regular season and did not make the Panamanian playoffs. Neither expected to represent Panama in the Caribbean Series.

Then came the calls.

“I was at the Padres training camp [in Peoria, Ariz.] for a week getting ready for Spring Training,” said Guerra. “Allen was at his home in Panama.

“I had only heard rumors that Panama might play in the Caribbean Series when I got a phone call six days before the first game asking me if I wanted to play. The Padres gave me permission and I was headed back to Panama.”

Guerra arrived on Feb. 2 -- two days before the Caribbean Series opened.

Each national championship team is allowed to add four players from other teams in their league for the Caribbean Series. Guerra and Cordoba were among the players added to the Toros.

Panama went 3-1 against the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico (winner of the past two Caribbean Series) to advance to the championship game. Panama defeated Cuba, 3-1, on Feb. 10 to win the championship.

Guerra was named the Most Valuable Player of the series. He went 7-for-18 in the Caribbean Series with three doubles, a homer, two runs scored and three RBIs. Cordoba was also 7-for-18 in the five games with a steal, three runs scored and three RBIs.

Cordoba hit third for Panama and played left field and second base. Shortstop Guerra hit fifth in the lineup.

“It was great for me and a huge step for Panama,” said Guerra. “The league has been trying to get back in the Caribbean Series. Panama has a good ballpark [Estadio Rod Carew] but the league is just getting going again. This is a big boost.

“It meant a lot to all the players to be part of playing in the Caribbean Series at home and winning. There was a lot of excitement.”

The four-team Panamanian Winter League has a 19-game season in December.

Cordoba, 23, hit .260 (13-for-50) in 14 games during the regular season with a double, seven walks, three runs scored and six RBIs. Guerra hit .235 while playing in all 19 games with four doubles, six walks, 10 runs scored and 10 RBIs.