Puerto Rico: World Baseball Classico

A revival of baseball in Puerto Rico began last fall when the island resumed its Winter League after a one-year hiatus. It continues next month when the Enchanted Island, its favorite baseball sons and San Juan’s historic Hiram Bithorn Stadium play host to games in the first round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic.<p>

“There is not one experience in baseball, in the big leagues, that is bigger than playing for your country,” said Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran, who joined teammate Alex Cora and Cubs catcher Geovany Soto on a conference call Monday. “We had a good time and we hope to have a same results or a better experience.”<p>

In 2006, Puerto Rico finished with a 4-2 record in the World Baseball Classic but did not advance out of the second round, also held Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Since then, there has been some concern about the level of interest in the sport on the island. In 2007, Puerto Rico shut down its Winter League play because of financial reasons, snapping a streak of 69 consecutive seasons with Winter League action on the island.<p>

Additionally, there are also some that wonder why a team from Puerto Rico has not won the annual Caribbean Series since 2000. The island also currently ranks third behind the Dominican Republic and Venezuela in the number of players in the big leagues born outside of the United States.<p>

A World Baseball Classic title could provide a much-needed boost to the island’s baseball-hungry community.<p>

“If we end up winning this tournament, we can only dream how people will react to it,” Cora said. “Baseball is still the no. 1 sport in Puerto Rico. With Winter League back, attendance is going up, people are into and hopefully we can put on a good show. Our main goal is to put on a good show.”

Beltran agreed.<p>

“Fans are looking forward to seeing what we will do,” he said. “Because we lost the game against Cuba (in 2006), this year there will be a lot of expectations from the fans. Baseball is big in Puerto Rico. People love to play and I feel happy to represent them.”<p>

The first round of the World Baseball Classic opens March 5 in Tokyo, with defending 2006 champion Japan facing China. Mexico City, Toronto and San Juan, host the other three first-round brackets, as follows: <p>

Tokyo (March 5-9): Japan, China, Chinese Taipei, Korea. <p>
Toronto (March 7-11): USA, Canada, Venezuela, Italy. <p>
San Juan, PR (March 7-11): Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama.
Mexico City (March 8-12): Mexico, Cuba, South Africa, Australia. <p>

“It’s great opportunity for me,” Soto said. “It’s a great experience. Beltran, Cora, (Carlos) Delgado are players I saw growing up, players that have played a long time. Every player on this team has talent to play good baseball.”<p>

It’s a double-elimination format in the first two rounds. The winners from Toronto will meet the winners from Puerto Rico in the second round at Miami’s Dolphin Stadium, while the winners from Tokyo will face the winners from Mexico City in San Diego’s PETCO Park. <p>

The semifinals and finals are on March 21 and 23 at Dodger Stadium. Puerto Rico begins play on March 7 against Panama.<p>

“I think we have a complete team,” Cora said. “Pitching is a plus but obviously with the guys we have, the rules (used), we can do the job. We have pretty good arms in our bullpen. With defense, we are more than ok. We have a pretty good lineup. Good baseball teams win championship and we have one.”<p>

“We expect to be in Los Angeles,” he added. “There is not a weak team in the tournament. If you play good for two weeks, you have a chance to win it.”<p>

But the question remains, what will a World Baseball Classic title mean to Puerto Rico and the baseball population?

“It will mean a lot for them and it will mean a lot for us,” Beltran said. “We are giving the opportunity to Puerto Rican fans to see all the Puerto Ricans playing in big leagues play on one team. There’s going to be a lot of excitement.”<p>