In recent days, the Puerto Rico National Baseball Team has been filled with controversy.
Puerto Rico is still in the process of putting together its roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which will be played in March before the MLB season.
There have been some recent disconnections between Jose Quiles (president of the Puerto Rican Baseball Federation), Eduardo Perez (former MLB player and general manager), and Yadier Molina (the team’s manager for the tournament).
Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times explains, via Twitter.
“According to @ElNuevoDia, Eduardo Pérez resigned as Puerto Rico’s WBC general manager because the president of PR’s baseball federation gave Yadier Molina the managerial job without telling him. Pérez wanted Joe Espada as manager,” Castillo said.
According to @ElNuevoDia, Eduardo Pérez resigned as Puerto Rico’s WBC general manager because the president of PR’s baseball federation gave Yadier Molina the managerial job without telling him. Pérez wanted Joe Espada as manager. https://t.co/eWQAOeKUtE
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) September 13, 2022
The issue is very clear: as the GM of the team, picking the manager was among Perez’s responsibilities.
Perez Wants No Part Of PR Job After Being Disrespected
At most, he could listen to Quiles and both can come to an agreement, but it should be Perez’s final choice.
But Quiles went over Perez and promised the team’s manager role to Molina, and Perez obviously didn’t like that because he had his own candidate.
Speaking to Puerto Rican publication El Nuevo Dia, Perez said that “it was the right decision for him after the lack of respect.”
Quiles had named Perez as Puerto Rico’s general manager in a press conference back on July 7.
“I’ll still be Puerto Rico’s number one fan in the tournament,” Perez stated, clarifying that he will be in Miami to watch the games anyway.
Molina now has a clear path towards the WBC’s managerial job in his native Puerto Rico.
He is currently playing his last MLB season and is among the most respected baseball figures in the country.
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