Where it Began
Baseball was first introduced in Puerto Rico by a group of Cubans and Puerto Ricans who had learned the game in the United States; it was not immediately popular. In 1897, two baseball clubs were founded: the Almendares Baseball Club and the Borinquen Baseball Club. January 11, 1898 saw the first organized baseball game in Puerto Rico in Santurce, where Borinquen beat Almendares 3-0.
After the Spanish-American war when the United States took possession of Puerto Rico, American soldiers helped to increase baseball’s popularity on the island. The soldiers were allowed to form a team to play against Puerto Rican club teams. On November 4, 1900 the Almendares Baseball Club beat the American Baseball Club 32-18.
More people began to play baseball as it spread across the island and into the school yards. Most towns had a baseball team that played on Sundays and holidays. Some teams would travel to other towns to play such as Escuela Superior de Ponce. Teams from the Negro League would travel the island to play local teams to avoid segregation.
In 1938, Teofilo Maldonado and Enrique Huyke founded the Liga Semi-Pro de Béisbol de Puerto Rico, a semi-professional league. The league was a part of the National Baseball Congress of the United States from 1938 to 1941. The original six clubs were the Criollos de Caguas, Grises Orientales de Humacao, Indios de Mayagüez, Piratas Kofresí de Ponce, Senadores de San Juan and the Venerables de Guayama. The league left the National Baseball Congress to start becoming a professional baseball league.
The number of games in a season has varied from 40 to 80. Originally, the All-Star happened on Three Kings day, but television broadcasting made the league play when the network wanted them to.
After the Spanish-American war when the United States took possession of Puerto Rico, American soldiers helped to increase baseball’s popularity on the island. The soldiers were allowed to form a team to play against Puerto Rican club teams. On November 4, 1900 the Almendares Baseball Club beat the American Baseball Club 32-18.
More people began to play baseball as it spread across the island and into the school yards. Most towns had a baseball team that played on Sundays and holidays. Some teams would travel to other towns to play such as Escuela Superior de Ponce. Teams from the Negro League would travel the island to play local teams to avoid segregation.
In 1938, Teofilo Maldonado and Enrique Huyke founded the Liga Semi-Pro de Béisbol de Puerto Rico, a semi-professional league. The league was a part of the National Baseball Congress of the United States from 1938 to 1941. The original six clubs were the Criollos de Caguas, Grises Orientales de Humacao, Indios de Mayagüez, Piratas Kofresí de Ponce, Senadores de San Juan and the Venerables de Guayama. The league left the National Baseball Congress to start becoming a professional baseball league.
The number of games in a season has varied from 40 to 80. Originally, the All-Star happened on Three Kings day, but television broadcasting made the league play when the network wanted them to.
Where it is Today
Now, the League is called the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente. The season runs from November through to January. The 2015-2016 season had four teams competing in a total of 42 games. Each team played fourteen home games and fourteen away games. Although it is mostly made up of locals, some United States players come play in the league as well to keep in shape during the off season. The winning team of the league proceeds to play in the Caribbean World Series.
Puerto Rican players also go on to play in the United State's Major League. Puerto Rico has had over 200 players in the MLB, beginning with pitcher Hiram Bithorn in 1942. Some of the best players in the MLB have come from Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rican players also go on to play in the United State's Major League. Puerto Rico has had over 200 players in the MLB, beginning with pitcher Hiram Bithorn in 1942. Some of the best players in the MLB have come from Puerto Rico.
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente is known as one of Puerto Rico’s best players of all time.
By the age of 17, Clemente was already playing right field for the Santurce Crabbers in the Puerto Rican Baseball League. A year later he was signed to the MLB Dodgers and was playing in the Triple-A team in Montreal within two years.
After the 1954 season, the Pittsburg Pirates picked him up for $4,000. He was not the best at first, struggling with a language barrier and injuries. It was in 1960 that Clemente saw the beginning of a historic baseball career. He batted .312 with a team-high 94 RBI to lead the Pirates to the World Series. There he helped the Pirates to win seven games against the Yankees.
After his great success, Clemente proceeded to win Four national League batting titles, the 1966 Most Valuable Player Award and had twelve straight Gold Glove Award seasons. He again helped the Pirates to win the 1971 World Series.
On December 1972, Clemente died in a plane crash on route to Nicaragua to aid after an earthquake. His body was never recovered.
He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame the following year, after a special election waived the normal five-year wait period.
Clemente’s memory still inspires Puerto Rican players to this day. His incredible career helped to lay the path for Puerto Ricans hoping to make it in the MLB. His legacy was honored in 2012, when the Professional Baseball League of Puerto Rico changed its name to the Roberto Clemente Professional League of Baseball.
By the age of 17, Clemente was already playing right field for the Santurce Crabbers in the Puerto Rican Baseball League. A year later he was signed to the MLB Dodgers and was playing in the Triple-A team in Montreal within two years.
After the 1954 season, the Pittsburg Pirates picked him up for $4,000. He was not the best at first, struggling with a language barrier and injuries. It was in 1960 that Clemente saw the beginning of a historic baseball career. He batted .312 with a team-high 94 RBI to lead the Pirates to the World Series. There he helped the Pirates to win seven games against the Yankees.
After his great success, Clemente proceeded to win Four national League batting titles, the 1966 Most Valuable Player Award and had twelve straight Gold Glove Award seasons. He again helped the Pirates to win the 1971 World Series.
On December 1972, Clemente died in a plane crash on route to Nicaragua to aid after an earthquake. His body was never recovered.
He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame the following year, after a special election waived the normal five-year wait period.
Clemente’s memory still inspires Puerto Rican players to this day. His incredible career helped to lay the path for Puerto Ricans hoping to make it in the MLB. His legacy was honored in 2012, when the Professional Baseball League of Puerto Rico changed its name to the Roberto Clemente Professional League of Baseball.