With the return of the Ponce Lions and the presence -after several years- of six franchises in the tournament, the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League kicks off its 2022-23 season tonight with a single game on the calendar.
The Caguas Creoles Today they begin the defense of their national title at the Yldefonso Solá Morales Stadium when they receive the visit of the runner-up Indios de Mayagüez. Tomorrow there are three games on the schedule.
Caguas, winner of the last two tournaments, is considered the favorite to win his third consecutive crown.
The Indians come into the tournament with four runner-up finishes in a row.
In fact, these two franchises lead the list of most national titles in the organization: Caguas as the leader with 20 and the Indios with 18.
The season will also include the participation of the Cangrejeros de Santurce, Gigantes de Carolina, Leones de Ponce and RA12.
The regular tournament will consist of 50 matches per team. The best four teams in the regular phase will qualify for the semifinals and then the winners to the final.
The champion will represent Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series to be held in Venezuela from February 2-10.
Here are some facts fans should know about the season that kicks off tonight.
The return of the Lions
The southern ninth is back in the League for the first time since the 2013-14 season, when the franchise was managed by businessmen Antonio Muñoz Bermúdez and Antonio Muñoz Grajales. It later moved to Aguadilla becoming the Sharks, but there it had little life. Thanks to the collaboration of Mayor Luis Irizarry Pabón and the investment of the Misla family (Oscar and Gerardo) through their company ‘Ponce Sports and Entertainment Corp’, the franchise was rescued for this season.
Tournament format with the participation of six teams
The 83rd season will be marked by multiple important events. For the first time since the 2012-2013 season, the tournament will be held with the presence of six teams. This year the two-time champions Criollos de Caguas, Indios de Mayagüez, Cangrejeros de Santurce, Gigantes de Carolina, RA12 and the Leones de Ponce will participate. There will be 50 games in the regular season and a semifinal with the best four teams in the regular season, to a maximum of seven games. The final will also be played 7-4.
Revamped Paquito Montaner
The legendary southern stadium will come to baseball life this Saturday with the game between the Indios de Mayagüez and the Leones. It will be the first professional baseball game since the 2013-2014 season, the last campaign of this franchise. Opened in 1949, the Ponce facility suffered serious damage to its structure, after the passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017 and earthquakes in 2020. In addition, Hurricane Fiona affected the remodeling work in recent weeks. More than $4 million has been invested in the process to make the facility’s rejuvenation a reality.
New administration in Santurce
The international firm Impulse Sports Entertainment -a subsidiary of the Multinational Group- assumed the administration of the Santurce Cangrejeros a few months ago, after a controversy -which is still in court- left the North American Thomas Axon out of the picture. Headed by Puerto Rican Carlos Iguina, the prestigious firm took control of the historic capital franchise. To this end, Impulse Sports Entertainment officially partnered with urban music exponent Daddy Yankee to direct the destinies of the Cangrejeros in winter baseball.
Caguas looks for its third title in line
The Criollos de Caguas seek to make history in the 2022-2023 season. With two national titles in hand, the franchise managed by Raúl Rodríguez will try to become the first to achieve three crowns in a row since the Indios de Mayagüez achieved it in the seasons from 1996 to 1999. Caguas has never achieved such a feat in history of the franchise. Only the Leones de Ponce have won four titles in a row in Puerto Rican winter baseball (1941-1945). The Criollos emerge as favorites to once again win the trophy based on their native talent, although once again they will encounter resistance from the Indians of the Sultana del Oeste.
Renowned Veteran Figures
The 2022-2023 season will feature several veteran players who had significant careers in the Major Leagues in the past. The group is headed by Venezuelan Pablo Sandoval, who with his 36 years and three World Series rings, tries one last chance in organized baseball. Sandoval will be militating with the Cangrejeros de Santurce. For his part, shortstop Didi Gregorius is looking for a job in the Major Leagues, after he was released a few months ago by the Philadelphia Phillies. Gregorius, 32, will also wear the Crabbers uniform.
Another veteran player who will be with the Santurcina ninth will be Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo. Meanwhile, veteran left-handed pitcher Héctor Santiago returns to the ranks of the Carolina Giants after a one-year absence. Santiago, 34, was suspended by the Major League for 80 games for the use of performance-enhancing substances. It was imposed in 2021 while he belonged to the Seattle Mariners. That same year he was also suspended for 10 games for using foreign substances in the ball. Meanwhile, several Major League players are mentioned who could join their respective teams at some point in the season, such as Víctor Caratini (Ponce), Jorge López (Mayagüez), Michael Pérez (Santurce), Dereck Rodríguez, José Miranda and Nelson. Velazquez (Caguas).
young promises
The winter tournament will have a good number of prospects or young figures from the first day of the season. The group is led by shortstops Matthew Lugo (Caguas) and Trei Cruz (Ponce). Also in uniform will be pitchers Jonathan Bermúdez (Carolina) and Andrew Marrero (Ponce), catcher Ramón Rodríguez (Mayagüez), utility JC Correa (Carolina) and infielder Nicolás Pérez (Santurce). Also drafted as imports were top Boston Red Sox prospect Ceddanne Rafaela, who will be with the Criollos, and shortstop Jeter Down, who will play with the Indians.
Dedication to one of the greats
The Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League will be dedicating the season to Santos Alomar, one of the great Puerto Rican baseball players who played in the Major Leagues in the 1960s and 1970s. The former second baseman and switch hitter had a long career in the Majors with 15 seasons and in winter baseball with 18. He served as coach, manager and general manager in the Puerto Rican league. In organized baseball he also worked as a coach for different Major League teams. In the majors he hit .245 for life and in Puerto Rico he hit .270. He is the father of Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar and former catcher Sandy Alomar Jr.
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Playball in the Puerto Rican Winter League!: What you should know about the 2022-23 tournament