Puerto Rico currently has the fourth-most active players in Major League Baseball (MLB) among Latin American jurisdictions, behind the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Cuba. [1] More than three hundred players from the archipelago have played in the major leagues since 1926. This includes players who were born in either one of the archipelago's islands and those of Puerto Rican heritage. Only those players who have worked in the major leagues are listed, not those active in the minor leagues, nor negro independent leagues.
For years, it was considered that the first player from Puerto Rico to play in the major leagues was Hiram Bithorn in 1942. But this changed in December 2020, when seven Negro baseball leagues between 1920 and 1948 were recognized as "major leagues." Thus, the first Puerto Rican to play baseball on the major leagues was Jose "Gacho" Torres, who debuted in 1926.
After the baseball color line was abandoned following Jackie Robinson's debut in the National League of MLB, more players from the island signed contracts. This led to an improvement in their performance, and some of them were selected to participate in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Including their names in the Major League Baseball draft is a requisite for first-year players born in Puerto Rico, because the league recognizes the island as a jurisdiction within the United States. [2] Following the implementation of this measure, Puerto Rico's government requested exclusion from the draft and help to develop players, in order to reduce the impact of the change in the format of talent development. [2]
Baseball was introduced to Puerto Rico by immigrants during the nineteenth century. The first sanctioned baseball game in the island was played on January 9, 1898, in Santurce, Puerto Rico, where two teams composed of Puerto Rican, American and Cuban players participated. [3] After this game, baseball became a widespread sport and professional and amateur leagues were organized. During this time period, the Puerto Rico national teams experienced success on international competition and Afro-Puerto Rican players began to participate in the Negro leagues. [4]
Hiram Bithorn debuted as a pitcher with the Chicago Cubs on April 15, 1942, but before him, there were about 10 other players who worked on the negro leagues, now considered as major leagues. About 17 other Puerto Rican players in the negro leagues were active right before the introduction of African American players in Major League Baseball, and thus, there were more chances to players born in the island. Subsequently, Afro-Puerto Rican players such as Orlando Cepeda and Victor Pellot Power began having solid performances in the league, and were selected to participate in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. [5] In 1973, Roberto Clemente became the first player from Puerto Rico and first Latin American to be elected as a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. [6] Since then Puerto Rico has kept a stable number of players in the league. During this timeframe, several players have been selected to participate in the All-Star Game or won awards for their performance, while others imposed records within the league. These include Javy López, who holds the record for most home runs hit by a catcher in a single season. [7] Both Iván Rodríguez and Roberto Alomar hold the record for most Gold Glove Awards in their positions. [8] [9] Recipients of the Most Valuable Player Award include Orlando Cepeda, Juan González and Iván Rodríguez. Roberto Clemente and Mike Lowell also won the World Series MVP Award in their respective divisions. [10] Carlos Delgado is the only Latin to hit 4 homers in a game.
Originally, players who were either born or naturalized in Puerto Rico were able to sign with MLB teams as free agents, usually receiving minor-league contracts prior to their debut in the league. In 1989, Major League Baseball decided to include the island in the list of jurisdictions within the United States, which made mandatory that first-year players include their name in the Major League Baseball Draft in order to receive a contract. [2] This was based on an initiative that was supposed to create a national and international drafting system. The change reduced the number of players that were able to participate in the league, by limiting the number of them selected by the teams; [2] this led to the island's Secretary of Recreation and Sports, to formally ask to Major League's involvement in developing specialized schools to produce more players and other measures to reduce the impact of the draft's implementation. [2] The original proposal included Puerto Rico's exclusion of the draft for a period of ten years, but this was not approved by the league.
Puerto Rico was one of sixteen teams to participate in the inaugural edition of the World Baseball Classic. [11] The tournament was created by Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world, including the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League. The first event was organized in 2006, and was sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation. Puerto Rico won the silver medal on both 2013 and 2017 classics. The Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico hosted 22 Montreal Expos home games in 2003, after the league decided to relocate the team to San Juan as part of an experiment to "globalize" baseball. [12] During the series there was an average attendance of 14,222. [13]
This list includes players born in Puerto Rico and players born outside of Puerto Rico to a Puerto Rican parent.
Name | Debut team | Years active | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
Irving Falú | Kansas City Royals | 2012–2014 | [125] |
Johneshwy Fargas | New York Mets | 2021 | [126] |
Jesús Feliciano | New York Mets | 2010 | [127] |
Mario Feliciano | Milwaukee Brewers | 2021 | [128] |
Pedro Feliciano | New York Mets | 2002–2013 | [129] |
Coco Ferrer | Indianapolis Clowns | 1946–1948 | [130] |
Sergio Ferrer | Minnesota Twins | 1974–1979 | [131] |
Ed Figueroa | California Angels | 1974–1981 | [132] |
Luis Figueroa | Pittsburgh Pirates | 2001–2007 | [133] |
Nelson Figueroa | Arizona Diamondbacks | 2000-2011 | [134] |
Tite Figueroa | Baltimore Elite Giants | 1946 | [135] |
Tito Figueroa | New York Cubans | 1940 | [136] |
Gil Flores | California Angels | 1977–1979 | [137] |
Jose Flores | Oakland Athletics | 2002-2004 | [138] |
Miguel Fuentes | Seattle Pilots | 1969 | [139] |
Rey Fuentes | San Diego Padres | 2013–2017 | [140] |
Jason Garcia | Baltimore Orioles | 2015 | [141] |
Pedro García | Milwaukee Brewers | 1973–1977 | [142] |
Rico Garcia | Colorado Rockies | 2019-2020 | [143] |
Mychal Givens | Baltimore Orioles | 2015-present | [144] |
Leo Gómez | Baltimore Orioles | 1990–1996 | [145] |
Rubén Gómez | New York Giants | 1953–1962 | [146] |
Andy González | Chicago White Sox | 2007–2009 | [147] |
Dicky Gonzalez | New York Mets | 2001–2004 | [148] |
Fernando González | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1972–1979 | [149] |
Juan González | Texas Rangers | 1989–2005 | [150] |
Julio González | Houston Astros | 1977–1983 | [151] |
Pedro González | New York Yankees | 1963-1967 | [152] |
Raúl González | Chicago Cubs | 2000–2004 | [153] |
Julio Gotay | St. Luis Cardinals | 1960–1969 | [154] |
Rubén Gotay | Kansas City Royals | 2004–2008 | [155] |
Riley Greene | Detroit Tigers | 2022 | [156] |
Vaughn Grissom | Atlanta Braves | 2022 | [157] |
Felix Guilbe | Baltimore Elite Giants | 1946–1947 | [158] |
Juan Guilbe | New York Cubans | 1940–1947 | [159] |
Edwards Guzmán | San Francisco Giants | 1999–2003 | [160] |
José Guzmán | Texas Rangers | 1985–1994 | [161] |
Von Hayes | Cleveland Indians | 1981-1992 | [162] |
Darell Hernáiz | Oakland Athletics | 2024 | [163] |
Jesús Hernáiz | Philadelphia Phillies | 1974 | [164] |
Alex Hernández | Pittsburgh Pirates | 2000–2001 | [165] |
Enrique Hernández | Miami Marlins | 2014–present | [166] |
José Hernández | Texas Rangers | 1991–2006 | [167] |
Ramón Hernández | Atlanta Braves | 1967–1977 | [168] |
Roberto Hernández | Chicago White Sox | 1991–2007 | [169] |
Rudy Hernández | Washington Senators | 1960-1961 | [170] |
Willie Hernández | Chicago Cubs | 1977–1989 | [171] |
Orlando Isales | Philadelphia Phillies | 1980 | [172] |
Josh James | Houston Astros | 2018–present | [173] |
Mike James | California Angels | 1995-2002 | [174] |
A. J. Jiménez | Texas Rangers | 2017 | [175] |
Joe Jiménez | Atlanta Braves | 2017–present | [176] |
Ricardo Jordan | Toronto Blue Jays | 1995-1998 | [177] |
Marc Kroon | San Diego Padres | 1995-2004 | [178] |
Coco Laboy | Montreal Expos | 1969–1973 | [179] |
Alex Lange | Detroit Tigers | 2021–present | [180] |
Ricky Ledée | New York Yankees | 1998–2007 | [181] |
José León | Baltimore Orioles | 2002–2004 | [182] |
Carlos Lezcano | Chicago Cubs | 1980–1981 | [183] |
Sixto Lezcano | Milwaukee Brewers | 1974–1985 | [184] |
Frankie Librán | San Diego Padres | 1969 | [185] |
José Lind | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1987–1995 | [186] |
Francisco Lindor | New York Mets | 2015–present | [187] |
Art López | New York Yankees | 1965 | [188] |
Felipe López | Toronto Blue Jays | 2001–2011 | [189] |
Jack López | Boston Red Sox | 2021 | [190] |
Javier López | Colorado Rockies | 2003–2016 | [191] |
Javy López | Atlanta Braves | 1992–2006 | [192] |
Jorge López | Milwaukee Brewers | 2015–present | [193] |
Luis Lopez | Los Angeles Dodgers | 1990–1991 | [194] |
Luis López | San Diego Padres | 1993–2005 | [195] |
Luis Lopez | Toronto Blue Jays | 2001-2004 | [196] |
Raffy Lopez | Chicago Cubs | 2014-2018 | [197] |
Mike Lowell | Boston Red Sox | 1998–2010 | [198] |
Willie Lozado | Milwaukee Brewers | 1984 | [199] |
Seth Lugo | New York Mets | 2016–present | [200] |
Name | Debut team | Years active | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
Vimael Machin | Oakland Athletics | 2020-2021 | [201] |
Anthony Maldonado | Miami Marlins | 2024 | [202] |
Candy Maldonado | Los Angeles Dodgers | 1981–1995 | [203] |
Martín Maldonado | Milwaukee Brewers | 2011–present | [204] |
Ángel Mangual | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1969–1976 | [205] |
Pepe Mangual | Montreal Expos | 1972–1977 | [206] |
Félix Mantilla Lamela | Milwaukee Braves | 1956–1966 | [207] |
Robert Manuel | Cincinnati Reds | 2009-2010 | [208] |
Luis Márquez | Homestead Grays | 1946–1954 | [209] |
Oreste Marrero | Montreal Expos | 1993–1996 | [210] |
Carmelo Martínez | Chicago Cubs | 1983–1991 | [211] |
Dave Martínez | Chicago Cubs | 1986–2001 | [212] |
Edgar Martínez | Seattle Mariners | 1987–2004 | [213] |
Javier Martínez | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1998 | [214] |
Ozzie Martínez | Florida Marlins | 2010-2011 | [215] |
Ramón Martínez | San Francisco Giants | 1998-2009 | [216] |
Damon Mashore | Oakland Athletics | 1996–1998 | [217] |
Julius Matos | San Diego Padres | 2002-2003 | [218] |
Luis Matos | Baltimore Orioles | 2000–2006 | [219] |
Edwin Maysonet | Houston Astros | 2008–2012 | [220] |
Francisco Meléndez | Philadelphia Phillies | 1984–1989 | [221] |
José Meléndez | Seattle Mariners | 1990–1994 | [222] |
Luis Meléndez | St. Louis Cardinals | 1970–1977 | [223] |
MJ Melendez | Kansas City Royals | 2022–present | [224] |
Héctor Mercado | Cincinnati Reds | 2000–2003 | [225] |
Orlando Mercado | Seattle Mariners | 1982–1990 | [226] |
Orlando Merced | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1990–2003 | [227] |
Félix Millán | Atlanta Braves | 1966–1977 | [228] |
Ángel Miranda | Milwaukee Brewers | 1993–1997 | [229] |
José Miranda | Minnesota Twins | 2022–present | [230] |
Bengie Molina | Anaheim Angels | 1998–2010 | [231] |
José Molina | Chicago Cubs | 1999–2014 | [232] |
Yadier Molina | St. Louis Cardinals | 2004–2022 | [233] |
Johnny Monell | San Francisco Giants | 2013-2015 | [234] |
Rafael Montalvo | Houston Astros | 1986 | [235] |
Lou Montañez | Baltimore Orioles | 2008–2011 | [236] |
Willie Montañez | California Angels | 1966–1982 | [237] |
Charlie Montoyo | Montreal Expos | 1993 | [238] |
Dan Monzon | Minnesota Twins | 1972-1973 | [239] |
Jerry Morales | San Diego Padres | 1969–1983 | [240] |
José Morales | Minnesota Twins | 2007–2011 | [241] |
José Morales | Oakland Athletics | 1973–1984 | [242] |
Jovani Moran | Minnesota Twins | 2021 | [243] |
Roger Moret | Boston Red Sox | 1970–1978 | [244] |
Steven Moya | Detroit Tigers | 2014–2016 | [245] |
Manny Muñiz | Philadelphia Phillies | 1971 | [246] |
Jose Munoz | Chicago White Sox | 1996 | [247] |
Bobby Muñoz | New York Yankees | 1993–2001 | [248] |
Pedro Muñoz | Minnesota Twins | 1990–1996 | [249] |
Bob Natal | Montreal Expos | 1992–1997 | [250] |
Brian Navarreto | Miami Marlins | 2020 | [251] |
Jaime Navarro | Milwaukee Brewers | 1989–2000 | [252] |
Julio Navarro | Los Angeles Angels | 1962–1970 | [253] |
Millito Navarro | Cuban Stars East | 1928–1929 | [254] |
Rey Navarro | Baltimore Orioles | 2015 | [255] |
Tito Navarro | New York Mets | 1993 | [256] |
Kristopher Negrón | Cincinnati Reds | 2012-2019 | [257] |
Tomás Nido | New York Mets | 2017–present | [258] |
Juan Nieves | Milwaukee Brewers | 1986–1988 | [259] |
Melvin Nieves | Atlanta Braves | 1992–1998 | [260] |
Wil Nieves | San Diego Padres | 2002–2015 | [261] |
Rafael Novoa | San Francisco Giants | 1990–1993 | [262] |
Edwin Núñez | Seattle Mariners | 1982–1994 | [263] |
Ed Olivares | St. Louis Cardinals | 1960–1961 | [264] |
Omar Olivares | St. Louis Cardinals | 1990–2001 | [265] |
Francisco Oliveras | Minnesota Twins | 1989–1992 | [266] |
Luis Rodríguez Olmo | Brooklyn Dodgers | 1943–1951 | [267] |
José Oquendo | New York Mets | 1983–1995 | [268] |
Danny Ortiz | Pittsburgh Pirates | 2017 | [269] |
Héctor Ortiz | Kansas City Royals | 1998–2002 | [270] |
José Ortiz | Chicago White Sox | 1969–1971 | [271] |
Junior Ortíz | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1982–1994 | [272] |
Rafaelito Ortiz | Chicago American Giants | 1948 | [273] |
Ricky Otero | New York Mets | 1995–1997 | [274] |
Jorge Padilla | Washington Nationals | 2009 | [275] |
Juan Padilla | New York Yankees | 2004–2005 | [276] |
Nicholas Padilla | Chicago Cubs | 2022 | [277] |
Ángel Pagán | Chicago Cubs | 2006–2016 | [278] |
Emilio Pagán | San Diego Padres | 2017–present | [279] |
José Pagán | San Francisco Giants | 1959–1973 | [280] |
Josh Palacios | Toronto Blue Jays | 2021 | [281] |
Rey Palacios | Kansas City Royals | 1988-1990 | [282] |
Richie Palacios | Cleveland Guardians | 2022 | [283] |
Sam Parrilla | Philadelphia Phillies | 1970 | [284] |
Victor Pellot | Philadelphia Athletics | 1954–1965 | [285] |
Bert Peña | Houston Astros | 1981–1987 | [286] |
Jim Pena | San Francisco Giants | 1992 | [287] |
Luis Peraza | Philadelphia Phillies | 1969 | [288] |
Jose Pereira | Baltimore Elite Giants | 1947 | [289] |
Eduardo Perez | California Angels | 1993-2006 | [290] |
Luis Pérez | Indianapolis Clowns | 1948 | [291] |
Michael Pérez | Tampa Bay Rays | 2018–present | [292] |
Mike Pérez | St. Louis Cardinals | 1990–1997 | [293] |
Roberto Pérez | Cleveland Indians | 2014–present | [294] |
Luis Pillot | New York Black Yankees | 1941-43 | [295] |
Joel Piñeiro | Seattle Mariners | 2000–2011 | [296] |
Juan Pizarro | Milwaukee Braves | 1957–1974 | [297] |
Rafael Polanco | Newark Eagles | 1941 | [298] |
Carlos Ponce | Milwaukee Brewers | 1985 | [299] |
Simon Pond | Toronto Blue Jays | 2004 | [300] |
Arnie Portocarrero | Philadelphia Athletics | 1954-1960 | [301] |
Jorge Posada | New York Yankees | 1995–2011 | [302] |
Luis Quiñones | Oakland Athletics | 1983–1992 | [303] |
Rey Quiñones | Boston Red Sox | 1986–1989 | [304] |
Tomás Quiñones | Indianapolis Clowns | 1947 | [305] |
Luis Quintana | California Angels | 1974–1975 | [306] |
Name | Debut team | Years active | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
Mario Ramírez | New York Mets | 1980–1985 | [307] |
Milt Ramírez | St. Louis Cardinals | 1970–1979 | [308] |
Heliot Ramos | San Francisco Giants | 2022 | [309] |
Henry Ramos | Arizona Diamondbacks | 2021, 2023 | [310] |
Vidal Richardson | Cleveland Buckeyes | 1946 | [311] |
Alex Ríos | Toronto Blue Jays | 2004–2015 | [312] |
Armando Ríos | San Francisco Giants | 1998–2003 | [313] |
Edwin Ríos | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2019-2021 | [314] |
Juan Ríos | Kansas City Royals | 1969 | [315] |
Yacksel Ríos | Philadelphia Phillies | 2017–2021 | [316] |
Bombo Rivera | Montreal Expos | 1975–1982 | [317] |
Carlos Rivera | Pittsburgh Pirates | 2003–2004 | [318] |
Charlie Rivera | Baltimore Elite Giants | 1939–1944 | [319] |
Emmanuel Rivera | Kansas City Royals | 2021–present | [320] |
Germán Rivera | Los Angeles Dodgers | 1983–1985 | [321] |
Jim Rivera | St. Louis Browns | 1952–1961 | [322] |
Luis Rivera | Montreal Expos | 1986–1998 | [323] |
Mike Rivera | Detroit Tigers | 2001–2011 | [324] |
René Rivera | Seattle Mariners | 2004–2021 | [325] |
Roberto Rivera | Chicago Cubs | 1995–1999 | [326] |
Saúl Rivera | Washington Nationals | 2006–2010 | [327] |
T.J. Rivera | New York Mets | 2016–2017 | [328] |
Yadiel Rivera | Milwaukee Brewers | 2015–2020 | [329] |
Benny Rodríguez | Chicago American Giants | 1948 | [330] |
Dereck Rodríguez | San Francisco Giants | 2018–present | [331] |
Eduardo Rodríguez | Milwaukee Brewers | 1973–1979 | [332] |
Edwin Rodríguez | New York Yankees | 1982–1985 | [333] |
Ellie Rodríguez | New York Yankees | 1968–1976 | [334] |
Frank Rodríguez | Boston Red Sox | 1995-2001 | [335] |
Iván Rodríguez | Texas Rangers | 1991–2010 | [336] |
John Rodríguez | St. Louis Cardinals | 2005–2006 | [337] |
Johnathan Rodriguez | Cleveland Guardians | 2024 | [338] |
José Rodríguez | St. Louis Cardinals | 2000–2002 | [339] |
Steve Rodriguez | Boston Red Sox | 1995 | [340] |
Tony Rodríguez | Boston Red Sox | 1996 | [341] |
Victor Rodríguez | Baltimore Orioles | 1984-1989 | [342] |
Ed Romero | Milwaukee Brewers | 1977–1989 | [343] |
J. C. Romero | Minnesota Twins | 1999–2012 | [344] |
Gil Rondón | Houston Astros | 1976–1979 | [345] |
Jorge Roque | St. Louis Cardinals | 1970–1973 | [346] |
Jose Rosado | Kansas City Royals | 1996–2000 | [347] |
Luis Rosado | New York Mets | 1977–1980 | [348] |
Eddie Rosario | Minnesota Twins | 2015–present | [349] |
Jimmy Rosario | San Francisco Giants | 1971–1976 | [350] |
Santiago Rosario | Kansas City Athletics | 1965 | [351] |
Dave Rosello | Chicago Cubs | 1972–1981 | [352] |
Rico Rossy | Atlanta Braves | 1991–1998 | [353] |
Chico Ruiz | Atlanta Braves | 1978–1980 | [354] |
Randy Ruiz | Minnesota Twins | 2008-2010 | [355] |
Ángel Sánchez | Kansas City Royals | 2006–2013 | [356] |
Jonathan Sánchez | San Francisco Giants | 2006–2013 | [357] |
Orlando Sánchez | St. Louis Cardinals | 1981–1984 | [358] |
Rey Sánchez | Chicago Cubs | 1991–2005 | [359] |
Benito Santiago | San Diego Padres | 1986–2005 | [360] |
Carlos Santiago | New York Cubans | 1946 | [361] |
Héctor Santiago | Chicago White Sox | 2011–present | [362] |
José "Pantalones" Santiago | New York Cubans | 1948–1956 | [363] |
José "Palillo" Santiago | Kansas City Athletics | 1963–1970 | [364] |
José Santiago | Kansas City Royals | 1997–2005 | [365] |
Rafael Santo Domingo | Cincinnati Reds | 1979 | [366] |
Ángel Santos | Boston Red Sox | 2001–2003 | [367] |
Omir Santos | Baltimore Orioles | 2008–2013 | [368] |
Candy Sierra | San Diego Padres | 1988 | [369] |
Rubén Sierra | Texas Rangers | 1986–2006 | [370] |
Jake Smith | San Diego Padres | 2016 | [371] |
Ian Snell | Pittsburgh Pirates | 2004-2010 | [372] |
Geovany Soto | Chicago Cubs | 2005–2017 | [373] |
Giovanni Soto | Cleveland Indians | 2015 | [374] |
Neftalí Soto | Cincinnati Reds | 2013–2014 | [375] |
George Springer | Houston Astros | 2014–present | [376] |
Marcus Stroman | Toronto Blue Jays | 2014–present | [377] |
Danny Tartabull | Seattle Mariners | 1984–1997 | [378] |
Valmy Thomas | New York Giants | 1957–1961 | [379] |
Dickie Thon | California Angels | 1979–1993 | [380] |
Andrés Torres | Detroit Tigers | 2002–2013 | [381] |
Félix Torres | Los Angeles Angels | 1962–1964 | [382] |
Gacho Torres | Newark Stars | 1926 | [383] |
Rusty Torres | New York Yankees | 1971–1980 | [384] |
Lou Trivino | Oakland Athletics | 2018–present | [385] |
Duane Underwood Jr. | Chicago Cubs | 2018–present | [386] |
Pedro Valdés | Chicago Cubs | 1996–2000 | [387] |
Javier Valentín | Minnesota Twins | 1997–2008 | [388] |
Jesmuel Valentín | Philadelphia Phillies | 2018 | [389] |
John Valentin | Boston Red Sox | 1992-2002 | [390] |
José Valentín | Milwaukee Brewers | 1992–2007 | [391] |
Julio Valera | New York Mets | 1990–1996 | [392] |
Héctor Valle | Los Angeles Dodgers | 1965 | [393] |
Eddie Vargas | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1982–1984 | [394] |
Kennys Vargas | Minnesota Twins | 2014–2017 | [395] |
Roberto Vargas | Chicago American Giants | 1948-1955 | [396] |
Christian Vázquez | Boston Red Sox | 2014–present | [397] |
Javier Vázquez | Montreal Expos | 1998–2011 | [398] |
Luis Vázquez | Chicago Cubs | 2024 | [399] |
Ramón Vázquez | Seattle Mariners | 2001–2009 | [400] |
Jesús Vega | Minnesota Twins | 1979–1982 | [401] |
Andrew Velazquez | Tampa Bay Rays | 2018–present | [402] |
Carlos Velázquez | Milwaukee Brewers | 1973 | [403] |
Nelson Velázquez | Chicago Cubs | 2022 | [404] |
Otto Vélez | New York Yankees | 1973–1983 | [405] |
José Vidro | Montreal Expos | 1997–2008 | [406] |
Mark Vientos | New York Mets | 2022-present | [407] |
Vicente Villafañe | Indianapolis Clowns | 1947 | [408] |
Héctor Villanueva | Chicago Cubs | 1990–1993 | [409] |
Ismael Villegas | Atlanta Braves | 2000 | [410] |
Luis Villodas | Baltimore Elite Giants | 1946-1947 | [411] |
Ozzie Virgil Jr. | Philadelphia Phillies | 1980–1990 | [412] |
Bernie Williams | New York Yankees | 1991–2006 | [413] |
Cangrejeros de Santurce is the name of several franchises sanctioned by the professional basketball league Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) of Puerto Rico. Named after Santurce, all versions have played out of San Juan. The first franchise was founded in 1918 and began active play in the BSN in 1956, winning titles in 1962 and 1968 before folding. The second iteration of the Cangrejeros played their home games at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum under the ownership of music industry executive Angelo Medina, winning five championships in a six-year span and another in 2007. This version remained active for another decade after winning its last championship. In 2021, a new franchise was approved under the name of Cangrejeros under the ownership of artist Bad Bunny and urban music entrepreneurs Noah Assad and Jonathan García. Teams bearing the name of Cangrejeros have won 8 championships and appeared in 14 BSN finals.
Iván Rodríguez Torres, nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Puerto Rican former Major League Baseball catcher. A member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Rodríguez is widely regarded as one of the greatest catchers in MLB history. He played for the Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Houston Astros and Washington Nationals.
Javier "Javy" López Torres is a Puerto Rican former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Atlanta Braves (1992–2003), Baltimore Orioles (2004–2006) and Boston Red Sox (2006). He batted and threw right-handed. He was named Ponce, Puerto Rico's Athlete of the Year from 1984 to 1987.
Alexis Israel Ríos is an American former professional baseball right fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and Kansas City Royals. A World Series champion with the Royals in 2015, Rios is a two-time MLB All-Star. In 2007, he was a Fielding Bible Award winner for right fielders. In 2013, he hit for the cycle and achieved six hits in one game. Rios is a three-time World Baseball Classic participant with the Puerto Rico national baseball team.
Douglas Metunwa Glanville is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers. He is also a broadcast color analyst for baseball, currently working with Marquee Sports Network and ESPN, and a contributor to The Athletic.
The Puerto Rico national baseball team, also known as Team Rubio is the national baseball team of Puerto Rico. The men's senior team is currently ranked 13th in the world. Puerto Rico is the incumbent Pan American and Central American/Caribbean champion, as well as the 2017 World Baseball Classic runner-up. The team will compete against Israel, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Nicaragua in the 2023 World Baseball Classic in March 2023 in Miami, Florida.
Jonathan Omar Sánchez, nicknamed "the Kid" and "the Comeback Kid", is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball pitcher. He is one of only three Puerto Rican players to throw a no-hitter game in MLB, the others being John Candelaria in 1976 and Juanchi Nieves in 1987. A left-handed starter, Sánchez's pitching repertoire consisted of a low-to-mid 90s mph fastball, a change-up, and a slurve in the 80s.
Wilkyns Nuñez, better known by his ring name Joe Bravo, is a Dominican professional wrestler best known for performing with the International Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Council.
IWA Histeria Boricua is an annual event that has been produced by the International Wrestling Association (IWA-PR) and other members of its conglomerate as a season opening event. It has been historically held during the first weeks of January, regularly coinciding with the celebration of Epiphany.
The IWA Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship that is contested in the International Wrestling Association's main branch at Puerto Rico. Besides its base jurisdiction, the title has also been defended within the international circuit and interpromotially at Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (Japan) and Revolution X-treme Wrestling (Panama).
Luis Aguayo Muriel is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball infielder and coach, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Indians.
Edwin Rodríguez Morales is a Puerto Rican minor league manager. He is the former manager of the Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball's National League. He also played Major League Baseball briefly in the early 1980s as an infielder.
Guaynabo Fluminense Futbol Club is an association football club from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. The team was a founding member of the Puerto Rico Soccer League. The club is affiliated with Fluminense Football Club, a leading team from Brazil. The team's kit is similar to the ones used by their Brazilian counterpart.
Atlético de San Juan FC are an association football club from San Juan, Puerto Rico. A newly formed club, they will play in the Puerto Rico Soccer League, the island's first unified football competition. They will play their home matches at the 18,000 capacity Hiram Bithorn Stadium, which has been traditionally used for baseball.
Ramón A. Ramírez is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds. He threw three pitches: a fastball, a slider, and a changeup.
Below are select minor league players and the rosters of the minor league affiliates of the Texas Rangers:
Elwood B. Huyke is a Puerto Rican professional baseball player, coach, and manager.
The IWA Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship, was a secondary championship defended in the International Wrestling Association of Puerto Rico (IWA-PR).