Sports in Puerto Rico can be traced from the ceremonial competitions amongst the pre-Columbian Native Americans of the Arawak also known as Taíno tribes which inhabited the island to the modern era in which sports activities consist of an organized physical activity or skill carried out with a recreational purpose for competition. The pre-Columbian era incorporates all period subdivisions in the history and prehistory of the Americas before the appearance of significant European influences on the Americas continent. ... Reconstruction of a Taíno village in Cuba The Taíno are pre-Columbian indigenous inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and some of the Lesser Antilles. ...

Brief history of sports in Puerto Rico

Pre-Columbian era

The Tainos who inhabited Puerto Rico before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, played a series of games which were both ceremonial and diversional, such as races, contests involving body strength and fishing. However, the two most important of these sports were the simulated warrior fights (similar to the gladiators) and ball playing. The ball game was played in a field, which they called "Batey", situated in the middle of the village. The fields were either shaped like a triangle or like a "U". The ball was made of vegetable leafs, which gave it flexibility. Two teams played against each other. The objective of the game was to keep the ball in constant motion. The players were allowed to use their heads, elbows, shoulders and knees. The team would lose a point, if for any reason the ball stopped moving. The score was kept with a mark on the ground and the game would end after the losing team received a certain amount of points. The winners were treated like heroes and the losers were sacrificed. The game had changed by the time the first Spanish settlers arrived. According to Fray Bartolome de las Casas the game was played in the following manner: "One team served the ball and the other team returned it, using anything but the hands. If the ball arrived at shoulder height, it was returned like lightning. When it came in near the ground, the player rapidly hit the ground, striking the ball with his buttocks. Play continued from side to side until an error was made." In 1975, archaeologists from the Guaynia Society of Archeology and History at the Catholic University of Puerto Rico, members of the Archeological Society of the Southwest announced the discovery of the ruins of a "Batey" in an area called Tibes, on the outskirts of the city of Ponce. A total of 9 ball fields were discovered under thick forest overgrowth dating back to AD 25 in the area which is now known as "Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Tibes" (The Tibes Indigenoius Ceremonial Center). The site is now a tourist attraction and is open to the public. Artifacts found on the site are on display and can be seen in a museum on the site and in the Ponce Museum of Art. Christopher Columbus (1451 – May 20, 1506) was a navigator and colonialist who is one of the first Europeans to discover the Americas, after the Vikings. ... Bartolom de Las Casas Bartolom de Las Casas (1484 – July 17, 1566) was a 16th century Spanish priest, the first ordained in the New World and the first Bishop of Chiapas. ... Archaeology or sometimes in American English archeology (from the Greek words αρχαίος = ancient and λόγος = word/speech) is the study of human cultures through the recovery, documentation and analysis of material remains, including architecture, artefacts, biofacts, human remains, and landscapes. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Gentilic: Ponceños Location Location of Ponce, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Government Founded 1692 Mayor Francisco Zayas Seijo Political party PPD Senatorial district 5 - Ponce Representative district 24, 25 Geographical characteristics Area Total 501. ... “AD” redirects here. ... The Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center (Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Tibes) in Ponce, Puerto Rico, is one of the most important archeological discoveries made in the Antilles. ...

Spanish colonization

The Tainos suffered greatly during the Spanish colonization of Puerto Rico in the 15th century. Many died from the cruel treatment and disease inflicted upon them and their culture was destroyed. The first Spaniards to inhabit the island were soldiers (Conquistadores), later they were followed by farmers, miners and their families. Team sports were virtually unheard of however, there were other types of competitions and sports in which they participated. The most common sports were horse racing, cockfighting and dominoes. The first horse track was built in San Juan in 1887. One of the most popular sports was "Boliche". The men would gather in the town plaza and roll a small ball made of wood with the objective of knocking down pins. "Boliche" was similar to Bowling. Another popular sport was bullfighting, which was limited to the larger cities of Ponce and San Juan. The Spanish colonization of the Americas began with the arrival in the Western Hemisphere of Christopher Columbus in 1492. ... Horse-racing is an equestrian sporting activity which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times were an early example, as was the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... “Domino” redirects here. ... A bowler releases the ball. ... Bullfighting, Edouard Manet, 1865-1866. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Gentilic: Ponceños Location Location of Ponce, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Government Founded 1692 Mayor Francisco Zayas Seijo Political party PPD Senatorial district 5 - Ponce Representative district 24, 25 Geographical characteristics Area Total 501. ... For other uses, see San Juan. ...

Modern era

Baseball

During the late 19th century Puerto Rico was to witness the introduction of organized team sports. The game of baseball was first introduced to the island by a group of Puerto Ricans and Cubans who had learned the game in the United States. At first the sport was not well received by the local press and general public, it was looked upon as a silly game. The first two baseball clubs were founded in 1897. They were the Almendares Baseball Club, owned by Francisco Alamo Armas and the Borinquen Baseball Club owned by Santos Filippi. This article is about the sport. ...

According to the daily newspaper "El Pais", on January 11, 1898, the first organized baseball game was played in Puerto Rico at the old velodrome which was located at the Pda.15 in Santurce, San Juan. The Borinquen team beat the Almendares with a score of 3 to 0. The first game to go a complete nine innings was played on January 30, 1898 and the Borinquen once again beat the Almendares with a score of 9 to 3. is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Puerto Rico became an American territory when the United States defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War. The American soldiers stationed in Puerto Rico were permitted to organize a baseball club to play against the local clubs as diversional outlet. On November 4, 1900 the Almendares Baseball Club composed of Puerto Ricans and Cubans beat the American Baseball Club of the Second Regiment of Infantry with a score of 32 to 18. Combatants United States Republic of Cuba Philippine Republic Spain Commanders Nelson A. Miles William R. Shafter George Dewey Máximo Gómez Emilio Aguinaldo Patricio Montojo Pascual Cervera Arsenio Linares Ramón Blanco Casualties 3,289 U.S. dead (432 from combat); considerably higher although undetermined Cuban and Filipino casualties... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Ğ: For the film, see: 1900 (film). ...

Basketball and Boxing

The military government banned cockfighting and bullfighting from the island but introduced the sport of boxing and a "new" sport called basketball. Both boxing and basketball were used by the soldiers as part of their physical training. Boxing competitions amongst the soldiers were open to the public. The first boxing match in Puerto Rico was held on January 15, 1899. For other senses of these words, see boxing (disambiguation) or boxer (disambiguation). ... is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

When the soldiers played basketball, they would use a plain straw basket which was cut open at both ends and place it on the highest end of a pole. For a ball, they used a football and the game was played without any established set of rules.

In 1913, the YMCA of Puerto Rico oraganized the first game played using the official rules of basketball and in 1916, the YMCA organized the first basketball tournament. Teams formed in the other YMCA's in the island participated in the tournament. The first basketball organization in Puerto Rico was the San Juan Basketball League. Rio Piedras and Bayamon later followed and formed their own leagues. Not to be confused with YWCA. This article is about the association. ... Bayam n (not to be confused with Bayamo, Cuba) is a city in northern Puerto Rico. ...

Olympics

Flag of Puerto Rico Puerto Rican Olympic Committee Logo German Rieckehoff Alberque Olympico Logo

Puerto Rico participates in the Olympics as an independent nation and therefore Puerto Rican athletes have the option of either representing Puerto Rico or the United States in the games. Some, such as Gigi Fernandez in tennis, have won gold medals for the U.S. Image File history File links Flag_of_Puerto_Rico. ... Image File history File links Comite_Olimpico_de_Puerto_Rico. ... Image File history File links Salinas_Olympic_Committee. ...

The 1948 Olympics celebrated in London, was a historical one for Puerto Rico because it was the first time that the island would participate as a nation in an international sporting event. The island's delegation consisted of only three members. In their first participation, the Puerto Ricans had carried the U.S. flag into the games. The United States protested, claiming that two nations could not use the same flag at the same time. The decree of Commonwealth on July 25, 1952 would give the Puerto Rican delegation a flag of their own. There were two Olympic Games in the year 1948: 1948 Summer Olympics 1948 Winter Olympics This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... For other uses of Commonwealth, see Commonwealth. ... is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1952 (MCMLII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1980, the United States boycotted the Olympic Games celebrated in Moscow, Russia. German Rieckehoff, who was then the president of the Puerto Rican Olympic Committee, was against the boycott because he believed that politics should not get involved with sporting events. He was, therefore, denied economic support from the local government. Rieckehoff did however, manage to send one athlete to represent Puerto Rico in boxing, Alberto Mercado, who became the only American citizen to participate in the 1980 Olympics. The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ... Saint Basils Cathedral Moscow (Russian/Cyrillic: Москва́, pronounciation: Moskva), capital of Russia, located on the river Moskva, and encompassing 878. ... German Rieckehoff (born German Rieckehoff Sampayo, February 5, 1915–September 2, 1997 in Vieques, Puerto Rico), was a renowned president of the Puerto Rican Olympic committtee. ... For other senses of these words, see boxing (disambiguation) or boxer (disambiguation). ... Alberto Mercado (born January 2, 1961) was a Jr. ...

In 1982, the Government of Puerto Rico, headed by then governor Carlos Romero Barcelo, withheld economic support from the athletic delegation headed to Cuba, where the Central American and Caribbean Games were going to be held. The Puerto Rican Olympic Committee, under the leadership of Rieckehoff, had to appeal directly to the people for donations and were able to send the delegation. The Puerto Rican Olympic Committee is also the organization in charge of selecting the Puerto Rican athletes which represent the island in the Pan American Games and the Central American and Caribbeann Games. The Government of Puerto Rico is a commonwealth within the United States consisting of a national and state government and 78 administrative sub-divisions called municipalities. ... Carlos Antonio Romero Barcel (born in September 4, 1932) was Puerto Ricos fifth democratically elected Governor, the second governor to be elected from the New Progressive Party (PNP) and also Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001. ... The Pan American Games are a multi-sport event, held every four years between competitors from all nations of the Americas. ...

Below is a list and a brief summary of some of the most common sports practiced in Puerto Rico.

American football (NFL)

Although not a popular sport in Puerto Rico, American football nonetheless is played in the streets of the Caribbean island occasionally. “West Indian” redirects here. ...

Ron Rivera became the first Puerto Rican to play in the NFL when he played for the Chicago Bears in the 1980s. In 1986, Rivera became the first Puerto Rican to win a Super Bowl championship ring. Ron (Chico) Rivera (born January 7, 1962 in Fort Ord, California) is the first American of Puerto Rican descent to play in the NFL (National Football League). ... NFL redirects here. ... City Chicago, Illinois Other nicknames Da Bears, The Monsters of the Midway Team colors Navy Blue and Orange Head Coach Lovie Smith Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman Michael McCaskey General manager Jerry Angelo Fight song Bear Down, Chicago Bears Mascot Staley Da Bear League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919) National Football... The winning Super Bowl team receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy. ...

Other Puerto Ricans who have played in the NFL are O.J. Santiago of the Atlanta Falcons, Marco Rivera who now plays for the Dallas Cowboys and who in 2002 became the first Puerto Rican to play in the Pro Bowl as a member of the Green Bay Packers (the first of three appearances) and Glenn Martinez who in 2005 played for the Detroit Lions Ken Amato who currently (2007) plays for the Tennessee Titans is of Puerto Rican descent. O.J. Santiago (born March 4, 1974) is an American football player who plays in the NFL as a tight end with the Denver Broncos. ... City Atlanta, Georgia Team colors Black, Red, and White Head Coach Bobby Petrino Owner Arthur Blank General manager Rich McKay Mascot Freddie Falcon League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1966–present) Eastern Conference (1966) Western Conference (1967-69) Coastal Division (1967-1969) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC West (1970... Marco Rivera (born April 26, 1972 in Brooklyn, N.Y. is an American football player who is currently a member of the Dallas Cowboys. ... City Irving, Texas Other nicknames Americas Team, The Boys Team colors Royal Blue (PMS 661), Silver-Green (PMS 8280), Silver (PMS 8240), and Navy Blue (PMS 282) Head Coach Wade Phillips Owner Jerry Jones General manager Jerry Jones League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1960–present) Northern Conference (1960... In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League (NFL). ... “Packers” redirects here. ... Glenn Martinez (born November 30, 1981 in Tampa, Florida) is an American football player who is currently a member of the Denver Broncos. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Baseball

Puerto Rico has a winter baseball league named the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League that operates since the early 20th century. The champion of the Puerto Rico league represents Puerto Rico is in the annual Caribbean World Series. It currently has six teams: The Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League (Spanish: or LBPPR) is the main professional baseball league in Puerto Rico. ... Caribbean World Series logo The Caribbean World Series of Professional Baseball — or Serie del Caribe del Béisbol Profesional in Spanish — is an annual baseball tournament, usually played during the month of February, before the MLB trainings season in Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico or Venezuela. ...

• Lobos de Arecibo (Arecibo Wolves)
• Criollos de Caguas (Caguas Creoles)
• Gigantes de Carolina (Carolina Giants)
• Indios de Mayagüez (Mayagüez Indians)
• Leones de Ponce (Ponce Lions)
• Atenienses de Manatí (Manatí Athenians)

Puerto Rico has over 100 Major League Baseball players who are currently active, in addition to the hundreds others who have participated in the past. These facts combine to make baseball one of the most popular sports in the island. Lobos de Arecibo (English: ) are a professional baseball team in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League, based in Arecibo. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Gentilic: Arecibeños Location Location of Arecibo, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Government Founded 1616 Mayor Lemuel Soto Political party NPP Senatorial district 3 - Arecibo Representative district 13, 14 Geographical characteristics Area Total 443. ... The Criollos de Caguas (English: ) are a baseball team in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Gigantes de Carolina (English: ) are a baseball team in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League (LBPPR). ... Nickname: Gentilic: Carolinenses Location Location of Carolina, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Coordinates , , Government Founded Mayor José Aponte, Jr. ... The Indios de Mayagüez (English: ) are a baseball team in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League (LBPPR, in Spanish). ... Flag Seal Nickname: Gentilic: Mayagüezanos Location Location of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Coordinates , , Government Founded July 19 1760 Mayor José Guillermo Rodríguez Rodríguez Political party PPD Senatorial district Mayagüez Representative district 18 and 19 Geographical characteristics Area Total 709. ... The Leones de Ponce (English: ) are a baseball team in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Gentilic: Ponceños Location Location of Ponce, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Government Founded 1692 Mayor Francisco Zayas Seijo Political party PPD Senatorial district 5 - Ponce Representative district 24, 25 Geographical characteristics Area Total 501. ... The Atenienses de Manatí (English: ) are a professional baseball team based in Manatí, Puerto Rico. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Ciudad Metropolitana, La Atenas de Puerto Rico Gentilic: Manatieños Location Location of Manatí, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Government Founded 1738 Mayor Juan Bin Cruz Manzano Political party PNP Senatorial district 3 - Arecibo Representative district 12, 13 Geographical characteristics Area Total 145. ... MLB and Major Leagues redirect here. ...

Some of the most famous baseball players from Puerto Rico include: Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Orlando Cepeda, Roberto Alomar, Jose "Cheo" Cruz, Juan González, Edgar Martinez, Ivan Rodriguez, Victor Pellot, and Bernie Williams. Roberto Clemente Walker (August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) was a Major League Baseball right fielder and right-handed batter. ... Orlando Manuel Cepeda Penne (born September 17, 1937 in Ponce, Puerto Rico) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and right-handed batter who played with the San Francisco Giants (1958–66), St. ... Roberto Alomar Velázquez (born February 5, 1968 in Ponce, Puerto Rico) is a former Major League Baseball player (1988-2004), considered by many to be one of the best second basemen in history. ... José Cruz (born August 8, 1947) is a former Major League Baseball player from Arroyo, Puerto Rico. ... For the journalist and radio host, see Juan Gonzalez; For the scientist and educator, see Juan E. González; for the former president of Paraguay, see Juan Natalicio González Juan González in Cleveland Indians uniform Juan Alberto González Vázquez (born October 20, 1969 in Arecibo, Puerto... Édgar Martínez (born January 2, 1963 in New York, New York, but raised in the Maguayo neighborhood of Dorado, Puerto Rico[1]) is a longtime Major League Baseball player who retired at the end of the 2004 season. ... Iván Rodríguez Torres (born November 30, 1971 in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico), nicknamed Pudge or I-Rod, is a professional baseball player. ... Victor Felipe Pellot Pove, a. ... Bernabé Bernie Williams Figueroa (born September 13, 1968, in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball outfielder and a guitar-playing jazz recording artist. ...

Chronological order of major events

• On January 11 1898 the first organized baseball game is played in Puerto Rico between the Borinquen team and the Almendares team. The Borinquen won 3 to 0.
• In 1928, Emilio "Millito" Navarro of the Cuban Stars became the first Puerto Rican to play in the Negro Leagues
• In 1942, Hiram Bithorn of the Chicago Cubs became the first Puerto Rican to play in the major leagues.
• In 1949, Luis Olmo (El "Jibaro" Olmos) of the Brooklyn Dodgers became the first Puerto Rican to play in a World Series game and the first one to hit a home run and to get three hits, in the same game.
  

  

  Luis Olmo
• In 1951, Puerto Rico won its first and only Baseball World Cup.
• In 1954, Rubén Gómez of the New York Giants became the first Puerto Rican to pitch in a World Series game and the first one to receive a World Series championship ring.
• In 1971, Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates became the first Hispanic to reach 3,000 hits and the first Puerto Rican to be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• In 1984, Willie Hernandez of the Detroit Tigers became the first Puerto Rican to win both the AL Cy Young Award and the AL MVP Award.
• In 1992, Jose "Cheo" Cruz was honored by the Houston Astros when his #25 was retired by the team.
• In 1999, Orlando "Peruchin" Cepeda became the second Puerto Rican enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• In 2001, Major League Baseball history was made when Opening Day was in San Juan at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium with a game between the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
• In 2003 as well as 2004, the former Montreal Expos played 22 home games each year at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, before moving to Washington, DC and becoming the Washington Nationals.

is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Emilio Millito Navarro (born September 26, 1905 in the city of Patillas, Puerto Rico) was the first Puerto Rican to play baseball in the Negro Leagues. ... Cuban Stars may refer to: Cuban Stars (West), a team of Cuban baseball players that competed in the United States Negro leagues from 1907 to 1930, Cuban Stars (East), a team of Cuban baseball players that competed in the Negro leagues in the eastern United States from 1916 to 1929. ... Bud Fowler, the first professional black baseball player with one of his teams, Western of Keokuk, Iowa The Negro Leagues were American professional baseball leagues comprising predominantly African-American teams. ... Hiram Gabriel Bithorn (March 18, 1916 - January 1, 1952) was a Puerto Rican right-handed pitcher who became the first baseball player from Puerto Rico to play Major League Baseball. ... Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 10, 14, 23, 26, 42 Name Chicago Cubs (1902–present) Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1871, 1874-1889) (a. ... Luis Francisco Rodríguez Olmo (born August 11, 1919) in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, best known as Luis Olmo, is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter. ... Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 24, 32, 39, 42, 53 Name Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1957) Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931) Brooklyn Dodgers (1913) Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911-1912) Brooklyn Superbas (1899... The 1949 World Series featured the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers, with the Yankees winning in five games for their second defeat of the Dodgers in three years, and the 12th championship in team history. ... Mark McGwire swinging for the fences. ... In Major League Baseball history, Ty Cobb had a record 4,191 hits by 1928; Pete Rose would surpass it 57 years later, and finish with 4,256 career hits. ... Image File history File links LuisRodriguezOlmo. ... Image File history File links LuisRodriguezOlmo. ... The Baseball World Cup is an international tournament in which national baseball teams from around the world compete. ... Rubén Gómez Colón (July 13, 1927 - July 26, 2004) born in Arroyo, Puerto Rico, was a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who became the first Puerto Rican to pitch in a World Series game. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Roberto Clemente Walker (August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) was a Major League Baseball right fielder and right-handed batter. ... Major league affiliations National League (1887–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 4, 8, 9, 11, 20, 21, 33, 40, 42 Name Pittsburgh Pirates (1891–present) Pittsburgh Innocents (1890) Pittsburg Alleghenies (1882–1889) (Also referred to as Infants in 1890) Other nicknames The Bucs, The Buccos... The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 62 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related... Hernandez pitching for the Tigers Guillermo Hernandez Villanueva (Willie Hernández) (born November 14, 1954 in Aguada, Puerto Rico) is a former relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs (1977-1983), Philadelphia Phillies (End of 1983), and the Detroit Tigers (1984-1989). ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1998–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 2, 5, 6, 16, 23, 42 Name Detroit Tigers (1901–present) Other nicknames The Bless You Boys Ballpark Comerica Park (2000–present) Tiger Stadium (1912-1999) Briggs Stadium (1938-1960) Navin Field (1912-1938) Bennett... In baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best pitchers in the Major Leagues. ... In the game of baseball, both amateur and professional, it is tradition to annually recognize the one player in the league who has contributed the most to the success of the players team. ... José Cruz (born August 8, 1947) is a former Major League Baseball player from Arroyo, Puerto Rico. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 5, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49 Name Houston Astros (1965–present) Houston Colt . ... Orlando Manuel Cepeda Penne (born September 17, 1937 in Ponce, Puerto Rico) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and right-handed batter who played with the San Francisco Giants (1958–66), St. ... For other uses, see San Juan. ... The Hiram Bithorn Stadium (Estadio Hiram Bithorn in Spanish) is a baseball stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, operated by the municipal government of the city of San Juan. ... Major league affiliations American League (1961–present) West Division (1972–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 26, 34, 42 Name Texas Rangers (1972–present) Washington Senators (1961-1971) Other nicknames None in common use Ballpark Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (1994–present) a. ... Major league affiliations American League (1977–present) East Division (1977–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Toronto Blue Jays (1977–present) Other nicknames The Jays Ballpark Rogers Centre (1989–present) a. ... The Montreal Expos (French: Les Expos de Montréal) were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from 1969 until 2004. ... Major league affiliations National League (1969–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Washington Nationals (2005–present) Montreal Expos (1969-2004) Other nicknames Nats, Nacionales (Spanish) Ballpark RFK Stadium (2005–present) Hiram Bithorn Stadium[3] (San Juan) (2003-2004) Olympic Stadium (Montreal) (1977-2004) Jarry Park...

Basketball

Basketball is also a very popular sport in Puerto Rico, thanks in part to the BSN, which has been around since the 1930s. During the early 1980s, with many games shown on television, the sport's popularity increased. Street basketball is popular among Puerto Rico's youth. National Superior Basketball —or Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) in Spanish— is a basketball league in Puerto Rico which was established in 1932 and has produced a handful of NBA players and a lot of classic games and emotive moments to its fans. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Streetball. ...

Puerto Rico's national basketball team has reached the Olympic Games multiple times, including the Athens games in 2004, where they became the first team to defeat the U.S. Dream Team during Olympic competition. In 2004, Carmelo Anthony (whose father was Puerto Rican) of the Denver Nuggets, wanted to play for Puerto Rico, however he was unable to do so because one the rules of the Puerto Rican national basketball team is that a person must reside in the island for at least three years. Anthony has the Flag of Puerto Rico tattooed on his right shooting hand honoring his Puerto Rican heritage. Puerto Rico's national team has won gold medals in other international competitions. The Puerto Rican National Basketball Team (or Puerto Rican National Basketball Selection) is a team that is selected by the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation to compete in major international events in representation of Puerto Rico. ... For other uses, see Athens (disambiguation). ... The Dream Team was the unofficial nickname of the United States mens basketball team that won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. ... Carmelo Kyam Anthony (born May 29, 1984)) is an American professional basketball player at the small forward position for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association and the USA National Team. ... For the original defunct Denver Nuggets, see Denver Nuggets (original). ... Flag of Puerto Rico (1995 - present) Flag of Puerto Rico (1952 - 1995) Pro-independence Flag (1892) The Flag of Puerto Rico was designed in 1894. ...

Famous Puerto Rican Basketball players include: first and foremost, the best of all, Juan "Pachin" Vicens, followed by a wide range that goes from N.B.A. stars to N.B.A. bench warmers, including Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Arroyo, Jose Ortiz, Peter John Ramos, Ramon Rivas, Daniel "Danny" Santiago, Ramon Ramos and Michael Vicens. Other notable basketball players are Larry Ayuso, Angelo Cruz, Raymond Dalmau, Raul Feliciano, Alfred "Butch" Lee, Mario Morales,AD Vasallo, Jerome Mincy, Jose Ortiz, Ramon Ramos, Joel Jones Camacho, Anita Ortega, Ramon Rivas and Ruben Rodriguez. This article is about the Puerto Rican basketball player. ... Carmelo Kyam Anthony (born May 29, 1984)) is an American professional basketball player at the small forward position for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association and the USA National Team. ... Carlos Alberto Arroyo (born July 30, 1979 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico) is Puerto Rican professional basketball player. ... José Piculin Ortiz wearing the Puerto Rican National Basketball Team uniform. ... Peter John Ramos (born May 23, 1985 in Fajardo) is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player. ... Ramon Rivas (born March 16, 1966) is a former NBA basketball player from Carolina, Puerto Rico. ... Ramon Ramos (born 1967) is a Puerto Rican man who was a basketball player, both on the BSN and NBA level. ... Elias Larry Ayuso wearing the Puerto Rican National Basketball Team uniform. ... Raymond Dalmau (born c. ... Alfred Butch Lee (born December 5, 1956 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is the first Puerto Rican national to play in the NBA (National Basketball Association). ... Mario Morales (born 1960), a. ... Jerome Mincy (born October 10, 1964) in Ramey Air Force Base Aguadilla, Puerto Rico is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player of American parents. ... José Piculin Ortiz wearing the Puerto Rican National Basketball Team uniform. ... Ramon Ramos (born 1967) is a Puerto Rican man who was a basketball player, both on the BSN and NBA level. ... Anita Ortega played at UCLA. She was an All-American, and she was the pivotal player that gave the team an opportunity to participate in the AIAW Final Four. ... Ramon Rivas (born March 16, 1966) is a former NBA basketball player from Carolina, Puerto Rico. ... Ruben Rodriguez (born 1948) is a Puerto Rican former basketball player who played 19 seasons in the BSN tournament. ...

Alfred "Butch" Lee, a member of the 1976 Olympic basketball team, became the first Puerto Rican in the NBA when in 1978 he was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks. Jose Ortiz was signed by the Utah Jazz in 1988. Rivas followed him two weeks later, being signed by the Boston Celtics. Ramos was signed by the Portland Trail Blazers, but he never played because of a life changing accident. Arroyo now plays for the Orlando Magic, and Santiago used to play for the Phoenix Suns and then with the Milwaukee Bucks. Alfred Butch Lee (born December 5, 1956 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is the first Puerto Rican national to play in the NBA (National Basketball Association). ... “NBA” redirects here. ... The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. ... The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The Portland Trail Blazers are a professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. ... The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. ... The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

In 1988, Dick Versace, became the first person of Puerto Rican descent to coach an NBA team. He was the head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1988 to 1990. Dick Versace (born April 16, 1940 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina) is a former basketball coach and NBA executive. ... The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team that plays in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ...

There is also a women's professional league, which is affiliated to the BSN.

Bobsled

Puerto Rico had a Bobsled team in the 1992, 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics. A runner carries the Olympic torch The Winter Olympic Games, Winter Olympics for short but more correctly The Olympic Winter Games, are the cold-weather counterpart to the Summer Olympic Games. ...

Boxing

Juan Evangelista Venegas

Boxing has, for many years, disputed the top spot for the Puerto Rican fan's favorite sport with Baseball and Basketball. Puerto Rico's first world champion was Sixto Escobar. In 1948, boxer Juan Evangelista Venegas earned Puerto Rico's first Olympic medal, finishing his participation in London with a bronze medal that year. Subsequently, Puerto Rico has earned five more medals in Olympic boxing, including a silver one by Luis Ortiz in 1984. That silver medal is the only silver medal ever won by any Puerto Rican at Olympic Games. Although he did not win a medal, Alberto Mercado became, in 1980, the only American citizen to actually participate in the Moscow Olympics. Image File history File links Venegas. ... Image File history File links Venegas. ... Sixto Escobar (March 23, 1913 - November 17, 1979) was Puerto Ricos first world boxing champion. ... Juan Evangelista Venegas born c. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Luis Ortiz (born approx. ... Alberto Mercado (born January 2, 1961) was a Jr. ... Saint Basils Cathedral Moscow (Russian/Cyrillic: Москва́, pronounciation: Moskva), capital of Russia, located on the river Moskva, and encompassing 878. ...

During the 1970s, with the coronation of such fighters as Hall of Famers Wilfred Benitez (As Mike Tyson has pointed out, the youngest champion in boxing's history and also, as of May 23, 1981 the youngest three-time world champion in the history of the "Sweet Science", after knocking out World Junior Middleweight champion Maurice Hope of Antigua and Barbuda, in twelve great rounds fought in Las Vegas). Worth noting too is Wilfredo Gómez, also a professional world champion, and the visits to Puerto Rico of such others as Roberto Duran, Muhammad Ali and Alexis Arguello for fights, consacrating 1970s boxing in Puerto Rico as what many refer to as the golden era of Borinquen's (Puerto Rico's) Boxing. The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta. ... Wilfred Benitez (born September 12, 1958 in New York, New York), is a Puerto Rican boxer. ... is the 143rd day of the year (144th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Wilfredo Gómez (born October 29, 1956) is a former boxer and three time world champion. ... Roberto Duran (b. ... For other persons named Muhammad Ali, see Muhammad Ali (disambiguation). ... Alexis Argüello (born April 19, 1952), is a former world champion Nicaragua. ...

In 2001, Puerto Rican John Ruiz made history by becoming boxing's first Latin American world Heavyweight champion ever, after beating WBA world champ Evander Holyfield. John “The Quiet Man” Ruiz (born January 4, 1972), a native of Isabela, Puerto Rico who lives in Massachusetts, is the first Hispanic/Latino world heavyweight champion in professional boxing history. ... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ... World Boxing Association (WBA) is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level. ... Evander Real Deal Holyfield (born October 19, 1962 in Atmore, Alabama) is a professional boxer from the United States and a multiple world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. ...

In 2006, Puerto Rican Miguel Santana made boxing history by becoming the fighter who waited the longest after a title bout to find out he had become a world champion boxer. The IBF recognized Santana as a world Lightweight champion 18 years after his challenge of IBF Lightweight champion Greg Haugen, who originally nbeat Santana by an eleventh round technical decision. Miguel Santana (born February 9, 1965) is a former boxer from Puerto Rico. ... Greg Lee Haugen (born August 31, 1960 in Seattle, WA) was an American boxer at Lightweight. ...

Famous boxers from Puerto Rico include: Hall of Famers Wilfred Benitez, Wilfredo Gómez, Sixto Escobar, Carlos Ortiz, Edwin Rosario, and Jose Chegui Torres, plus Hector Macho Camacho, Alfredo Escalera, Belinda Laracuente, Pedro Montanez, John Ruiz, Alex Sanchez, Samuel Serrano, Félix Trinidad and Ada Velez, who is the first Puerto Rican Women's boxing world champion. Carlos Ortiz (born September 9, Puerto Rican who was a three time world boxing champion, twice in the lightweight division and once in the Jr. ... Edwin El Chapo Rosario (1961-1997) could be considered a boxing version of the Puerto Rican plant Mori-vivi (Mori-Vivi means dead-alive in Spanish). ... José Torres, Chegui (born May 3, 1936), is a Puerto Rican who is a former boxer and the first hispanic ever to win the worlds Light Heavyweight championship. ... Héctor Camacho (born May 24, 1962), nicknamed Macho Camacho, is a boxer. ... Alfredo Escalera (born March 21, Puerto Rican who was a world champion boxer. ... Belinda Laracuente (born 1980) is a Puerto Rico. ... Pedro Montanez, (April 24, 1914-June 26, 1996), was a boxer from Cayey, Puerto Rico. ... Alex El Nene Sánchez (born June 5, 1973) is a Puerto Rican boxer who is a native of Ponce. ... Samuel Serrano (born November 7, 1952), nicknamed Sammy and El Torbellino, is a Puerto Rican who won boxings world jr. ... Félix Tito Trinidad, Jr. ... Ada Ace Velez (born September 15, 1970) is a Puerto Rican female professional boxer who lives in Hollywood, Florida. ... Womens boxing first appeared in the Olympic Games at a demonstration bout in 1904. ...

Cockfights

Unlike in most states of the United States, cockfighting is legal in Puerto Rico, and there are many places that draw large crowds to see bantams fighting every weekend. Is known as the Gentlemans Sport due to the common practice of wagers being a verbal contract between to individuals and may range from $1 to thousands of dollars. Across the world, Puerto Rico has been seen as the largest capital for the controversial sport, as it is incredibly popular and often televised as other sports are. Roosters are specially bred to fight, first entering the ring between one and two years of age. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Rooster (disambiguation). ...

Equestrian

The sport of Equestrianism has certain popularity in Puerto Rico, more so among members of higher classes. Puerto Rico frequently sends contestants to different international tournaments, such as the Olympics. On August 16, 2003, Mark Watringl from the town of Aguadilla, represented the United States in the Pan American Games celebrated in the Dominican Republic. The he won the "Gold Medal" with a final total of 13.66 penalties compared to the 21.87 posted by Mexico. When presented the Gold Medal, Mark unfurled and waved the Puerto Rican Flag. This win secured a berth in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Mark represented Puerto Rico in the 2004 Olympics celebrated in Athens, Greece. is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Mark Watring (May 2, 1963), born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico is a renowned Puerto Rican Equestrian. ... The Pan American Games are a multi-sport event, held every four years between competitors from all nations of the Americas. ... Flag ratio: 1:2 The Flag of Puerto Rico consists of five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center. ... ... For other uses, see Athens (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Athens (disambiguation). ...

Fencing

Fencing in Puerto Rico has become popular ever since David "Kike" Bernier, Victor Bernier and the brothers Jonathan and Marcos Peña have won medals in the 2003 Pan American Games celebrated in the Dominican Republic. David Enrique Bernier a. ... The Pan American Games are a multi-sport event, held every four years between competitors from all nations of the Americas. ...

Mirthescka Escanellas was also a popular Puerto Rican fencer. She participated at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, among many other international events. The 1996 Summer h Olympics, formally known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and informally known as the Centennial Olympics, were held in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. ...

Golf

While golf is not very popular in Puerto Rico, there are many golf courses across the island.

The most famous Puerto Rican golfer is Juan "Chi-Chi" Rodríguez who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992. Rodríguez used to put his hat over the hole whenever he made a birdie or eagle. After he heard that other golfers were complaining about his little act, he decided to try something new. Chi-Chi developed his signature "toreador dance", where he would make believe that the birdie was a "bull" and that his putter was a "sword" and he would terminate the "bull". Rodríguez represented Puerto Rico on 12 World Cup teams. In 1986, he won the Hispanic Recognition Award. In 1988, he was named Replica's Hispanic Man of the Year. Juan Antonio Chi-Chi Rodríguez (born October 23, 1935) is a Puerto Rican professional golfer. ... // The World Golf Hall of Fame is located in St. ... This is a list of common golfing terms. ... This is a list of common golfing terms. ... The word toreador is used in English to designate the main performer of Spanish-style bullfighting, who taunts and kills the bull. ... Some golf clubs Golf clubs are used in the sport of golf to hit a golf ball. ... The World Cup is an annual mens golf tournament. ... Hispanic flag, not widely used. ...

Horse racing

Horse Racing is a sport which was first introduced to Puerto Rico by the Conquitadores. Horse Races continue to be a very popular sport in Puerto Rico til this day. During the earlier part of the 20th. century, races were held at El Comandante race track. Since 1972, El Nuevo Comandante now called "Hipodromo Camarero", in Canovanas, has been the home of Puerto Rico's Sunday horse races, and of the annual Clasico del Caribe, a race that reunites important horses from many countries. Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (born August 13, 1926) is the current President of Cuba. ... El Nuevo Comandante (The New Commander) is a horse racing building located in Canovanas, Puerto Rico, to the east of San Juan and Carolina. ... Can vanas is a city in Puerto Rico, located in the north-east of the island. ...

Famous jockeys include J. A. Garcia and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Angel Cordero, Jr. Cordero is one of the leading thoroughbred horse racing jockeys of all time in terms of wins. He was the first and only Puerto Rican jockey to win all three of the American Classic Races races which consist of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Two of the most famous horses in Puerto Rican history were El Platino and Bold Forbes. The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers. ... Angel Cordero Jr. ... For the processor with the same codename , see Athlon. ... Horse-racing is an equestrian sporting activity which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times were an early example, as was the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. ... The racecourse in Chester. ... The American Classic Races consist of: 1) Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky held annually on the first Saturday of May; 2) Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland held annually in May on the Saturday two weeks after the Kentucky Derby; 3) Belmont Stakes at... The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. ... The Preakness Stakes is a Grade I stakes race 1 3/16 mile (1. ... The Belmont Stakes is a prestigious Grade I stakes race held yearly in June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. ... Bold Forbes foaled March 31, 1973 and died August 9, 2000. ...

Marathon

Marathons have long been a part of Puerto Rico's sporting tradition. Many important marathons are run annually in the island, including the Maraton de San Blas in Coamo, long considered one of the most important marathon races in the world. Image:Coamo flag. ...

The World's Best 10K Race (WB10K), also known as Maratón Teodoro Moscoso, is a road race of 10 kilometers celebrated in San Juan, Puerto Rico every year. It is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Road Races (AIMS) and by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF). The event was also the first race transmitted live through the Internet, with audio, video and results. WB10K was ranked among the 20 most competitive races in the world. Road racing can be a term involving road running, road bicycle races, or automobile races. ... A kilometer (Commonwealth spelling: kilometre), symbol: km is a unit of length in the metric system equal to 1,000 metres (from the Greek words χίλια (khilia) = thousand and μέτρο (metro) = count/measure). ... For other uses, see San Juan. ... The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is the international governing body for the sport of athletics (known in the US as track and field). It was founded in 1912 at its first Congress in Stockholm, Sweden by representatives from 17 national athletics federations as the International Amateur Athletics Federation. ...

Famous marathon runners include: Jorge “Peco” Gonzalez, Hunga Maldonado. Jorge Peco Gonzalez (born c. ...

Martial arts

Martial arts sports, specially karate, have had a marked ascent in popularity in Puerto Rico since the 1970s, when Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies were very popular among Puerto Rico's youth. For other uses, see Karate (disambiguation). ... Bruce Lee (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Pinyin: Lǐ Xiǎolóng; Cantonese Yale: Léih Síulùhng; November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) was an American-born martial artist, philosopher, instructor, and martial arts actor widely regarded as the most influential martial artist of the 20th century and a... Chan Kong-Sang (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), also known as Jackie Chan Sing Lung (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ) or Jackie Chan SBS, (born on April 7, 1954) is a Chinese martial artist, action star, actor, director, screenwriter, film producer, singer and stunt performer. ...

Taekwondo Past and Present Athletes

• Christian Claudio – Puerto Rican Olympic Team Member, Author, Public Speaker, Co-Founder Pac Banc Mortgage

Christian Claudio, (born on 17 June 1973 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, U.S.) was a two time member of the Puerto Rican national taekwondo olympic team. ... Olympic can mean: Olympic Games, an international multi-sport event: Olympic Games, the modern games held since 1896 Ancient Olympic Games, the ancient games held in Olympia, Greece between 776 BC and 393 AD Olympic (band), a Czech rock band Olympic (MTR) A MTR station in Hong Kong Olympic Airlines... For other uses, see Author (disambiguation). ...

Professional wrestling

Professional wrestling has enjoyed much popularity in Puerto Rico for a long time. Matches have been televised since the 1960s, and multiple, non televised matches are held each week across the island. World Wrestling Council is the main wrestling promoter in Puerto Rico. The World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Ricos two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association. ...

Famous Puerto Rican wrestlers have included Barrabas, Carlos Colon and his son, Carlitos Colon, Los Invaders, Savio Vega, WWF* Hall of Famer Pedro Morales, and Los Super Medicos. In addition, many World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE, formerly WWF) stars, such as Randy Savage, and Ric Flair fought in Puerto Rico before. Give us Barabbas!, from The Bible and its Story Taught by One Thousand Picture Lessons, 1910 In the Christian narrative of the Passion of Jesus, Barabbas, according to some texts Jesus bar-Abbas, (Aramaic Bar-abbâ, son of the father), was the insurrectionary whom Pontius Pilate freed at the Passover... Carlos Colon (born July 18, 1945 in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico) better known in the Puerto Rican professional wrestling circles as Carlitos Colon, is considered by many to be the greatest wrestler ever from Puerto Rico. ... Image:Carloscolon. ... Savio Vega (born Juan Rivera August 10, 1966 in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico) is a former professional wrestler for what was then the World Wrestling Federation. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ... Randall Mario Poffo (born November 15, 1952 in Columbus, Ohio), is a former American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name of Macho Man Randy Savage. ... Richard Morgan Fliehr[2] (born on February 25, 1949 in Minneapolis, Minnesota[2]) better known by his ring name Ric Flair , is a legendary American professional wrestler of iconic staus signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on its SmackDown! brand. ...

Women's wrestling has been gaining popularity in Puerto Rico since the 1990s.

Sailing

Sailing as a sport has picked up in popularity in Puerto Rico since the middle 1990s, under the leadership of Enrique Figueroa and his wife, Carla Malatrasi. The pair have combined to win many international medals, and they competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Figueroa also participated at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. On February 2, 2004, Figueroa and fellow teammate Jorge Hernandez, won the Olympic Games Rolex Regatta. They were named champions by topping 29 entries in the tornado fleet. The regatta winners had their sights set on the 2004 Olympics and Partalympic Games in Athens, Greece. 503 sailors participated with a fleet of 323 boats representing 39 nations. Figueroa went to the 2004 Olympic Games and represented Puerto Rico. Enrique Figueroa a. ... This is about the city of Sydney in Australia. ... The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ... Location Coordinates : Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer: CEST (GMT +2) General information Native name Barcelona (Catalan) Spanish name Barcelona Nickname Ciutat Comtal (City of Counts) Postal code 08001–08080 Area code 34 (Spain) + 93 (Barcelona) Website http://www. ... is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A regatta is a boat race or series of boat races. ... (Redirected from 2004 Olympic Games) The Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, commonly known as the 2004 Summer Olympics were the 28th Summer Olympic Games. ... For other uses, see Athens (disambiguation). ...

Football

Football, also known as soccer refers to "Association Football", known in Spanish as "fútbol"

Felix Magath

Football, unlike many of the Latin American countries, mainly because of the high American culture influence on the Island, did not enjoy high popularity during the 20th century. But since the new millennium it has slowly increased its fan base on the island. Puerto Rico has a FIFA sponsored federation, the Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol and a Senior National Team which is ranked 193 by FIFA. Puerto Rico has never fared well in international competitions and has not played since 2004. Current federation president Jose Serralta has stated that they will field a team for the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers, but its main goal is to develop a team for the 2010Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Image File history File links Magath2. ... Image File history File links Magath2. ... This article is about an international football organization. ... The Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol is the governing body of football in Puerto Rico. ... This article is about an international football organization. ... The Central American and Caribbean Games are the oldest continuing regional games. ... Mayaguez may refer to: Mayagüez, Puerto Rico Mayaguez incident This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

There are professional leagues in Puerto Rico but there is a professional team, the Puerto Rico Islanders, which play in the United Soccer Leagues First Division,the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, with rumors of more Puerto Rican pro teams to join the same league in the future. Since the creation of the Islanders several Puerto Rican pro football players have been classified as Baloneros Boricuas, including Marcos Velez, Alexis Rivera Curet, and Yuri Morales. For the board game, see Puerto Rico (board game). ... Puerto Rico Islanders are a Puerto Rican association football team, founded in 2003. ... The United Soccer Leagues First Division (often referred to as simply, USL-1) is a professional mens soccer league in North America. ... The American Soccer Pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. ... Alexis Rivera Curet (born October 29, 1982, Puerto Rico) is a football player for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL First Division. ... Yuri Morales (born September 30, 1981 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a footballer who plays for the California Victory in the United Soccer League. ...

Theres also to Semi-Pro leagues in Puerto Rico, the Liga Premier and the Liga Mayor, with teams like Club Atletico River Plate Puerto Rico and Club de Fútbol Fraigcomar. Club Atletico River Plate Puerto Rico, known also as River Plate or symply River, is a Puerto Rican sports club best known for its football team, established in 2007. ... Club de Fútbol Fraigcomar is a Puerto Rican football club, which currently play in Puerto Ricans first division. ...

Felix Magath, whose mother is German, is the first person of Puerto Rican descent to play in the FIFA World Cup representing Germany in 1982 and 1986. Wolfgang-Felix Magath (born July 26, 1953) is a German-Puerto Rican who is association football director with the FC Bayern Munich team. ... For the club competition, see FIFA Club World Cup. ...

Softball

Women's softball has enjoyed certain popularity in Puerto Rico. The women's national softball team has won many international events and participated at many Olympics.

Lisa Fernandez has represented the United States as member of the U.S. Women's Olympic Softball Team, winning gold medals in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia and in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. She established a women's softball record when she struck out 25 members of the women's Australian Olympic Softball Team. Ivelisse Echevarria who in 2003 was inducted into the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame is also considered by many to be the greatest pitcher born in Puerto Rico. Ten Puerto Ricans have been inducted into the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame so far. Lisa Fernandez, born February 22, 1971, in New York City, is a renowned softball pitcher of Cuban-Puerto Rican descent who established an Olympic record in softball with 25 strikeouts as a member of the United States Women Olympic Softball Team. ... Ivelisse Echevarría (born 1960 in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico), was inducted into the International Federation Softball Hall of Fame in 2003 and is considered by many to be the greatest softball pitcher born in Puerto Rico. ...

The ten Puerto Ricans in International Softball Federation Hall of Fame are: Juan Pachot, Carlos Velazquez Class of 1997; Ismael "Chavalillo" Delgado, Jorge Tanco, Alejandro "Junior" Cruz Class of 1993 and Ivelisse Echevarria, Betty Segarra, Clara Vazquez, Jose "Tuto" Agosto, Rafi Serrano Class of 2003. Alejandro Cruz (c. ...

Swimming (competitive)

Jesus "Jesse" Vassallo, is considered by many to be the greatest swimmer to have been born in Puerto Rico. In 1997, he became the first and so far the only Puerto Rican to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He currently heads the Puerto Rico Swimming Federation. Jesse Vassallo (born August 9, 1961 in Ponce, Puerto Rico) is considered by many to be the greatest swimmer to have been born in Puerto Rico. ... The International Swimming Hall of Fame, located on the Atlantic Ocean beachfront in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, is a Hall of Fame dedicated to promoting the sport of swimming and immortalising the achievements and contributions of those who have distinguished themselves in the following four branches of aquatic sports: competitive...

In 1966, 17-year-old Anita Lallande set a new record in the Central American and Caribbean Games celebrated in San Juan, when she won a total of 10 gold medals.

Fernando J. Canales was a 100 meter freestyle finalist in the 1978 Berlin World Championships, earning a 5th place. He was the "first" Puerto Rican swimmer to final in the World Championships. He earned 5 gold medals and 1 silver medal during the 1978 Central American Championships in Medellín, Colombia. He became the first Puerto Rican to medal in the Pan American Games by winning silver in the 100 meters free in 1979 (San Juan, Puerto Rico) and repeating that feat in 1983 (Caracas, Venezuela). Fernando J. Canales (born November 2, 1959 and grew up in Bayamon and Guaynabo, Puerto Rico). ... Nickname: Location of the city (urban in red) and municipality (dark gray) of Medellín in Antioquia Department. ... The Pan American Games are a multi-sport event, held every four years between competitors from all nations of the Americas. ...

Maritza Correia, is the first black Puerto Rican woman in history to make the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team. She earned a silver medal swimming prelims of the 4oom free relay at the 2004 Olympic Games celebrated in Athens, Greece. Maritza Correia a. ... (Redirected from 2004 Olympic Games) The Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, commonly known as the 2004 Summer Olympics were the 28th Summer Olympic Games. ... This article is about the capital of Greece. ...

Years after the demolition of the Escambrón Swimming Complex, San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini will open the new roofed San Juan Natatorium, developed by San Juan Sports Director María Elena Batista, herself a former Olympic Swimmer. The official opening of the San Juan Natatorium was December 15, 2006. A second natatorium is scheduled to open in time for the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayagüez. Jorge Santini Padilla (born 1960) is a Puerto Rican politician affiliated with the New Progressive Party (PNP). ... María Elena Mari Batista currently is a sports administrator in Puerto Rico. ... is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Tennis

Tennis is not very popular as a fan sport in Puerto Rico, however, many Puerto Ricans practice it as a means of exercise. It should be noted, though, that the 1984 television match between Martina Navratilova and Gigi Fernandez was one of the most watched events of the year in Puerto Rican television. Gigi Fernandez is arguably Puerto Rico's most famous tennis player ever, having won doubles championships in Grand Slam tournaments, including Wimbledon, winning gold medals for the USA doubles team in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, being ranked no. 1 in the world for women's doubles tournaments, and being ranked among the top 30 singles players for most of her career. She is widely considered to be one of the greatest doubles players of all time. Martina Navratilova (born October 18, 1956, in Prague, Czechoslovakia) is a former World No. ... Beatriz Fernández (born 1966), better known as Gigi Fernández, is a Puerto Rican former tennis player. ... Wimbledon logo The Championships, Wimbledon, commonly referred to as simply Wimbledon, is the oldest and arguably most prestigious event in the sport of tennis. ...

Kristina Brandi is the "first" Puerto Rican tennis player to win an Olympic tennis match representing Puerto Rico. Brandi represented Puerto Rico in the 2004 Olympics, celebrated in Athens, Greece, where she beat Jelena Kostanic from Croatia (7-5 and 6-1). Kristina Brandi (born March 29, 1977 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican tennis player and the first to win an Olympic tennis match representing Puerto Rico. ... The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ... The Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, commonly known as the 2004 Summer Olympics were the 28th Summer Olympic Games. ... For other uses, see Athens (disambiguation). ... Jelena Kostanic (born July 6, 1981, Split) is a professional female tennis player from Croatia. ...

Charlie Pasarell was another noted Puerto Rican Tennis player, having defeated Pancho Gonzalez in one of Wimbledon's most famous games ever. Rafael Jordan was a player that many considered had potential to become a men's professional tour champion, but he died after an automobile accident during the mid 1990s. Charles Charlie Pasarell (born June 12, 1944, San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a former American tennis player and current tournament director and commentator. ... Pancho Gonzales, also spelled González (born Los Angeles, May 9, 1928; died Las Vegas, July 3, 1995), was the dominant male tennis player in the world for about a dozen years. ...

Track and Field

Track and Field has been another sport of note in Puerto Rico. Most schools there base their field days only on track and field events. Many Puerto Rican runners, hurlers and throwers have participated at the Olympics.

Famous Puerto Rican track and fielders include: Rebekah Colberg and Angelita Lind. Dr. Rebekah Colberg (December 25, 1918-July, 1985) born in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico is known as The Mother of Womens Sports in Puerto Rico. When Rebekahs mother gave birth, she was only seven months pregnant and Rebekahs weight was only four pounds. ... Angelita Lind (born January 13, 1959 in Patillas, Puerto Rico) is considered by many people in Puerto Rico to be the islands greatest track and field athlete. ...

Rebekah Colberg, also known as "The Mother of Women's Sports in Puerto Rico", from 1932-1946, for fourteen consecutive years was Puerto Rico's tennis champion. In 1938, she won two gold medals at the IV Centroamerican and Caribbean Games, celebrated in Panama, in the discus and jabaline events. In 1946, when the games were celebrated in Mexico, she won a gold medal in softball. While studying for her Masters Degree at Columbia University, she was in the university's field hockey and lacrosse championship teams. She was also a member of the undefeated women's basketball team of the University of Mexico. For other uses, see Tennis (disambiguation). ... Gold Medal is an album by American band The Donnas, released in 2004. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Soft ball is also a sugar stage Softball is a team sport, in which a ball, eleven to twelve inches (or rarely, 16 inches) (28 to 30. ... A game of field hockey in progress Field hockey is a popular sport for men and women in many countries around the world. ... The Dive Shot. Lacrosse is a team sport that is played with ten players (mens field), six players (mens box), or twelve players (womens field), each of whom uses a netted stick (the crosse) in order to pass and catch a hard rubber ball with the aim... This article is about the sport. ...

Angelita, known as "The Angel of Puerto Rico", has represented the island and participated in three Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) and won two gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal. She also participated in three Pan American Games and in the 1984 Olympics celebrated in Los Angeles, California. The Central American and Caribbean Games are the oldest continuing regional games. ... Gold Medal is an album by American band The Donnas, released in 2004. ... A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests (typically athletics competitions) such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. ... A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests (typically athletics competitions) such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. ... The Pan American Games are a multi-sport event, held every four years between competitors from all nations of the Americas. ... Music sample: Olympic Fanfare and Theme ( file info) — composed by John Williams for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles Problems listening to the file? See media help. ... Nickname: Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates: , State County Settled 1781 Incorporated April 4, 1850 Government  - Type Mayor-Council  - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa  - City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo  - Governing body City Council Area  - City  498. ...

Volleyball

Puerto Rico Volleyball Federation logo

Long considered the dormant sport among major sports in Puerto Rico, Volleyball has enjoyed much popularity since the 1990s, both in its professional and beach volleyball versions. Puerto Rico's Liga Superior de Volleyball has thrived in recent years, both in the men's and women's tournaments. Image File history File links PR_Volibol_logo. ... Image File history File links PR_Volibol_logo. ...

In 1970, most of Puerto Rico's national women's volleyball team's members were killed when a plane that was flying them to San Juan from the Dominican Republic crashed shortly after take-off. For other uses, see San Juan. ...

In 1996, Laura Daniela Lloreda from Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, lead the Mexican national team to a bronze medal at the Norceca competition, held in the Dominican Republic. In 1997, in front of her Puerto Rican fans, she led the team to a silver medal. In 1998, when the tournament returned to the Dominican Republic, her team also took a silver medal. In 1999, the team finished in sixth place, but Lloreda was named the tournament's MVP. Laura Daniela Lloreda (born April 30, 1981) is a Puerto Rican volleyball player. ... Assorted ancient Bronze castings found as part of a cache, probably intended for recycling. ... This article is about the chemical element. ...

Some of Puerto Rico's famous volleyball players are Willie De Jesus and Raul Papaleo. Raul Papaleo (born (October 11, 1971) in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is considered by many islanders to be the greatest Beach Volleyball player in Puerto Rico. ...

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans - Sports
• List of Puerto Rico-related topics
• World's Best 10K Race (Maratón Teodoro Moscoso)
• International Wrestling Association
• World Wrestling Council (apparently the name of Capitol Sports Promotions nowadays)
• One Wall Paddleball (most people here call it Handball erroneously)

list of famous Puerto Ricans in alphabetical order by last names, where applicable. ... . ... San Juan, Puerto Rico The Worlds Best 10K Race (WB10K) is a road race of 10 kilometers celebrated in San Juan, Puerto Rico every year. ... International Wrestling Associations logo The International Wrestling Association (IWA) is a wrestling promotion in Puerto Rico. ... The World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Ricos two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association. ... One Wall Paddleball is an American ball game that consists in hitting a small rubber ball against a single wall by using paddles. ... American (or court) handball, usually referred to simply as handball, is an American form of fives played against one or more walls. ...

External Reference

• Juan "Pachin" Vicens and Puerto Rico's other historic basketball fantasy-five players
• Puerto Rican Bobsled
• Bernie Williams Tribute and Information Website

v • d • e Sports in North America
Sovereign states	Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas · Barbados · Belize · Canada · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominica · Dominican Republic · El Salvador · Grenada · Guatemala · Haiti · Honduras · Jamaica · Mexico · Nicaragua · Panama · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Trinidad and Tobago · United States North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... This is an alphabetical list of the sovereign states of the world, including both de jure and de facto independent states. ... Football (soccer) is the dominant sport in Saint Lucia. ... Sports in the United States, as in other countries, are an important part of the national culture. ...
Dependencies and other territories	Anguilla · Aruba · Bermuda · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Greenland · Guadeloupe · Martinique · Montserrat · Navassa Island · Netherlands Antilles · Puerto Rico · Saint Barthélemy · Saint Martin · Saint Pierre and Miquelon · Turks and Caicos Islands · U.S. Virgin Islands Download high resolution version (675x894, 685 KB)From http://cia. ... A dependent territory, dependent area or dependency is a territory that does not possess full political independence or sovereignty as a State. ... Types of administrative and/or political territories include: A legally administered territory, which is a non-sovereign geographic area that has come under the authority of another government. ...
U.S. states and regions	California  · Kentucky  · Massachusetts  · Minnesota · New England · New York · North Carolina · Pennsylvania · Wisconsin A U.S. state is any one of the 50 states which have membership of the federation known as the United States of America (USA or U.S.). The separate state governments and the U.S. federal government share sovereignty. ... For a list of professional sports teams in California, see List of professional sports teams in California. ... // Despite the national stereotype that Kentucky is a die hard basketball state, at the high school level the state produces many times over more top nationally ranked football players than basketball. ... Sports in Masssachusetts have a long history with both amateur athletics and professional teams. ... Sports in Minnesota include professional teams in all major sports, Olympic Games contenders and medalists, especially in the Winter Olympics, collegiate teams in major and small-school conferences and associations, and active amateur teams and individual sports. ... Two popular American sports were invented in New England. ... Category: ... Despite having over eight million people, the disbursement of North Carolinas population over three major metropolitan areas has precluded attracting any major professional sports league teams until recently. ... Pennsylvania sports includes numerous professional sporting teams, events and venues, located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... Wisconsin is represented by major league teams in the three most popular spectator sports in the United States: American football, baseball, and basketball. ...
Individual cities and municipalities	Boston · Brooklyn · Calgary · Chicago · Cincinnati, Ohio · Denver, Colorado · Detroit · Edmonton · Halifax Regional Municipality · Hamilton, Ontario · Houston · Kansas City · Lancaster, Pennsylvania · Las Vegas · Louisville · Milwaukee · Montreal · New York City · Omaha, Nebraska · Philadelphia · Pittsburgh · Portland, Oregon · Seattle · Syracuse · Toronto · Washington, D.C. · Vancouver A Boston Red Sox baseball game at Fenway Park Boston, Massachusetts, is home to several major league sports teams, including the Boston Red Sox (baseball), Boston Celtics (basketball), and Boston Bruins (hockey). ... Brooklyn has a storied sports history and has been a breeding place for many famous sports figures such as Joe Paterno (The Pennsylvania State University), Joe Torre (MLB), Larry Brown (NBA), Mike Tyson (boxing), Paul Lo Duca (MLB), and Vince Lombardi (NFL). ... The city of Calgary, Alberta is home to a relatively deep-seeded tradition of winter sports. ... Chicago is the home to 15 professional sports teams. ... Cincinnati, Ohio is home to seven major sports venues, two major league teams, six minor league teams, and hosts five college institutions with their own sports teams. ... Denvers professional sports teams are illustrated in this mural covering the rear of a building in 1995, just before the Avalanche of the NHL began play. ... Detroit, Michigan, is the home to six professional sports teams. ... Edmonton was home to the Edmonton Grads, a womens basketball team with the best win/loss record of any North American team to date. ... The Halifax Regional Municipality, or HRM, having the largest urban population in Atlantic Canada, is a major sport centre. ... Below is the expanded version of the Sports section from the Hamilton, Ontario wikipedia page. ... Minute Maid Park Houston, Texas has a rich sporting culture and the area residents are active in many spectator and paricipant sports. ... Kauffman Stadium Kansas City sports teams presently include the following: // Jackie Robinson Sprint Center Rendering With the construction of the new Sprint Center arena, Kansas City is hoping to land an NHL or NBA franchise as the premier tenant for the new arena in the near future. ... Lancaster, Pennsylvania and its surrounding county are known for their many traditions, from the consumption of sauerkraut and faschnachts for New Years Day and Ash Wednesday to the professional baseball teams who barnstormed their way through Lancaster Countys farmland in the early 1900s. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... College basketball as well as horse racing are some of the most popular sports in Louisville. ... Milwaukee, Wisconsin is home to a variety of sports teams and events. ... // Montreal is famous for its hockey-hungry fans. ... View of a night game at Yankee Stadium between the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins. ... A crowd gathered for the 2006 College World Series Championship game at Rosenblatt Stadium. ... The Wachovia Center (formerly the First Union Center and the CoreStates Center), home of the Philadelphia Flyers and the Philadelphia 76ers. ... Pittsburghs dedication both to amateur and professional sports has a long history. ... Although Portland, Oregon has but one major league sports team (the Trail Blazers of the NBA), it hosts a wide variety of sports and sporting events. ... Seattles professional sports history began at the start of the 20th century with the PCHAs Seattle Metropolitans, which in 1917 became the first American hockey team to win the Stanley Cup, and continues today with the citys four major professional teams, the NBAs Seattle SuperSonics, the... Syracuse Universitys Carrier Dome during a football game. ... Sport in Toronto may refer to: List of sports teams in Toronto Amateur sport in Toronto Professional sport in Toronto Category: ... Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, originally named D.C. Stadium, is the largest sports venue in the city and has been home to at least 10 professional football, baseball, and soccer teams. ... The city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada has had a long tradition of sports. ...