‘Igor’ González to manage Puerto Rico in the Baseball Copa América

Former major leaguer Juan “Igor” González will helm the Puerto Rico Men’s National Team that will represent the island in the first edition of the Baseball Copa América in Panama next month.

By THE STAR STAFF

Former Major League Baseball player and veteran mentor Juan “Igor” González has been appointed manager of the Puerto Rico Men’s National Team that will represent the island in the first edition of the Baseball Copa América, to be held Nov. 13-22 in Panama.

The announcement was made earlier this week by Puerto Rico Baseball Federation President Dr. José Daniel Quiles Rosas, who highlighted the manager’s career and commitment to the development of national baseball.

González, a two-time American League Most Valuable Player, has managed the national men’s team and the U-23 team in numerous international tournaments. Under his leadership, Puerto Rico won gold medals at the 2018 Barranquilla Central American and Caribbean Games, the 2019 Lima Pan American Games, and the 2022 Caribbean Cup, in addition to a historic silver medal at the 2024 U-23 World Cup.

He was also part of the national team’s coaching staff in the 2017 and 2023 editions of the World Baseball Classic, and was confirmed again as a member of the coaching staff for the 2026 edition.

In local baseball, González won the Double A Superior Baseball League championship with the Grises of Humacao in 2021 and with the Toritos of Cayey in 2022.

Puerto Rico, ranked fourth in the Americas, will compete in Group B alongside Panama, Colombia, Canada, Brazil and Argentina.

The Copa América will bring together the 12 best national teams on the continent and will serve as a qualifier for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games and the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games. The tournament will award 500 points toward the World Baseball Softball Confederation world ranking.

Team Puerto Rico will open play against Argentina on Nov. 13 at Mariano Rivera Stadium in Panama.