The Baseball Federation of Puerto Rico (FBPR) announced that Juan Gonzalez will manage the National Team at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup and the Premier12.
Born in 1969, nicknamed Igor, Gonzalez had a stellar MLB career from 1989 to 2005. While playing for the Texas Rangers, he earned two American League MVP Awards, participated in three All-Star Games, and led the American League in home runs twice.
He was on Puerto Rico's coaching staff at the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classic. He managed Puerto Rico to win the Central American and Caribbean Games 2018 and the Pan American Games 2019. He also managed Puerto Rico at the WBSC Premier12 2019 and the U-23 Baseball World Cup 2022.
"It's an honour to have him," commented National Federation President José Daniel Quiles. "His knowledge of the game and leadership are what we need to endure a challenging international season."
Quiles added, "Our focus is on Puerto Rico competing at the top level. I think choosing Igor as our manager was the right decision."
The WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup is scheduled from September 6 to 15 in Shaoxing, China. World No. 12 Puerto Rico will compete in Group A and face No. 1 Japan, No. 11 Australia, No. 13 Colombia, No. 18 Great Britain and No. 24 China. Group B includes No. 4 Korea, No. 5 Chinese Taipei, No. 6 Venezuela, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 20 Nicaragua and No. 34 South Africa.
The WBSC Premier12 presented by RAXUS is scheduled from November 9 to 24. Puerto Rico will compete in Group B in Guadalajara and Tepic (Mexico), facing No. 2 Mexico, No. 3 USA, Venezuela, Netherlands and No. 10 Panama. Group B, scheduled in Nagoya (Japan) and Taipei City, will include Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, No. 8 Cuba, No. 9 Dominican Republic and Australia.
The Tokyo Dome will host the Premier12 Super Round and Medal Games.
