With Puerto Rico rallying past Italy in the World Baseball Classic today, Team PR moves into a showdown with either the U.S. or the Dominican Republic. Among the stars of the team were Yadier Molina, Alex Rios and Carlos Beltran, one of a series of outstanding ballers from the island. Hey, I even remember running into an MLB icon at the El San Juan Hotel a few years ago.
I'm hoping the team's strong showing this year reinvigorates the sport on the island. Puerto Rico was once hallowed baseball ground, and stadiums around the island gave people a warm and inviting way to take in the game during the winter lull. This was where Clemente once played; so did Reggie Jackson. And it has long been regarded as the most popular sport on the island.
Buena suerte to Team PR!