QUEENS, NY — Baseball is returning to Citi Field a bit early as the battle between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, deemed the RD vs. PR Showdown, takes place this coming Saturday, November 15th, with tickets still available for those interested in attending.
Organized by the Puerto Rico Professional Baseball Players Association (APPPR), and the National Federation of Professional Baseball Players of the Dominican Republic (FENAPEPRO), with the assistance of the New York Mets and Major League Baseball, each roster is set to include former MLB players from Puerto Rico and the D.R. as well as an abundance of young and upcoming MLB talent who are ready to make their own mark on the show in the near future.
“We have many players who are on the verge of making it to the big leagues and establishing themselves, or others who are looking for a contract, either because they are free agents or their contract has expired. This serves as a platform for them to showcase their talent, and hopefully they will be given that opportunity and can continue pursuing their dream.” -Carlos Delgado, manager of Puerto Rico in the RD vs. PR Showdown
Puerto Rico will be managed by Boricua baseball icon Carlos Delgado, a former two-time MLB All-Star, winning the Silver Slugger Award on three separate occasions and the Roberto Clemente Award in 2006, while the Dominican Republic is led by skipper Carlos Gómez, a former Gold Glove Award winner, who appeared in two MLB All-Star Games and spent two separate stints with the Mets—2007, his first season in MLB, and 2019, his final year in MLB before retiring as a player.
Carlos Gómez, a member of six organizations throughout his 13-year MLB playing career began and ended his career with the Mets – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“The fact that it’s outside my country and against such a competitive opponent as the Puerto Rico team makes the commitment and learning even greater, because I’m facing my former teammates,” Gómez, 39, of Santiago, D.R., told The Athletic. “For me, it’s an honor to go to the city and stadium where I was given the opportunity to become a professional for the first time.”
“Every time Dominicans and Puerto Ricans play, it’s always going to get competitive,” said Delgado on Amazin’ Conversations with Jay Horwitz. “Even though it’s like an All-Star Game, once the game starts, we both want to win. I’m excited, it’s going to be my first opportunity as a manager.”
Delgado, 53, of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, will be accompanied by bench coach Carlos Beltrán, his former Mets teammate, and one of the greatest switch-hitters of all-time—a nine-time MLB All-Star, three-time Gold Glover, two-time Silver Slugger, 2017 World Series champion and recipient of the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award.
“I think it will be a nice opportunity that will get shared together,” Delgado noted on having Beltrán alongside in the dugout. “We had so many memories over there in New York, so this is another one for the books.”
Out of those expected to make their way on the actual playing diamond, the most popular name of them all is Dominican baseball legend Robinson Canó, an eight-time MLB All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, two-time Gold Glover, and 2009 World Series champion.
Children from the Bronx and fans presenting the LatinoMVP award to Robinson Canó at Yankee Stadium in 2012 with James Fiorentino and Julio Pabón – Image Credit: Latino Sports
The 43-year-old left-handed hitting second baseman hailing from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic has remained active by playing professionally in Mexico and the D.R. ever since his final MLB game in 2022—however, it is rumored that Saturday’s RD vs. PR Showdown in Queens will be Canó’s final professional baseball game on United States soil.
With special tributes already planned for the monumental day, each player on the Dominican Republic team will don No. 24 in honor of Canó, as players on Puerto Rico will wear No. 21, paying homage to Delgado.
For fans interested in attending the RD vs. PR Showdown at Citi Field, tickets are still available and can be purchased on the Mets’ official website – Image Credit: MLB
In addition, Bartolo Colón, Luis Castillo, and Alfonso Soriano, among others, are rumored to be special guests in attendance, while concerts, festivities and even a block party, are set to be held in the parking lots of Citi Field, which open up to fans at approximately 10:30AM ET with first pitch scheduled for 1:00PM ET.
To learn more about the RD vs. PR Showdown at Citi Field, on Saturday, November 15th, please visit the Mets’ official website at https://www.mlb.com/mets/tickets/specials/dr-pr.
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