ESPN.com · Mar 7
WBC 2026: Bitterness turns into celebration for Puerto Rico
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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- For weeks, resentment stained the World Baseball Classic's impending return to Puerto Rico. Bubbling excitement on the island turned into anger when red tape unexpectedly prevented a few of the brightest Puerto Rican stars from participating in the tournament at the eleventh hour. In late January, the rage had risen enough for José Quiles, president of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation, to threaten to withdraw the team from the competition altogether.