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Puerto Ricans play a variety of sports, including baseball, basketball, football, tennis, and more.
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Puerto Ricans and baseball
Baseball is by far the most popular sport among Puerto Ricans. The island has produced numerous Major League Baseball (MLB) players, including Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda, Iván Rodríguez, Carlos Beltrán, Yadier Molina, Bernie Williams, and Javier Báez. Puerto Rico also has its own professional baseball league, the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico.
Puerto Ricans and basketball
While Puerto Rico is perhaps best known for baseball, basketball is also a popular sport on the island. In fact, Puerto Ricans have had a significant impact on the game of basketball, both in the United States and internationally.
Puerto Ricans have been playing basketball for nearly a century, and the island has produced many great players over the years. In the United States, Puerto Rican players have been making an impact at the collegiate and professional levels for decades. Internationally, Puerto Rico has been a powerhouse in basketball competitions such as the Olympics and the FIBA World Cup.
Whether it is baseball or basketball, Puerto Ricans are passionate about their sports. And when it comes to basketball, Puerto Ricans have made a significant impact on the game, both in the United States and internationally.
Puerto Ricans and boxing
Puerto Ricans have a long and proud history in the sport of boxing. Boxing is uniquely suited to the island, as it requires very little equipment and can be played in any open space. Puerto Ricans have produced some of the greatest boxers of all time, including three-time world champion Felix “Tito” Trinidad and current world champion Miguel Cotto.
Puerto Ricans and football
Puerto Ricans have a long history of playing football. The island has produced many great players, including NFL stars such as Antonio Gates and linebacker Manny Lawson. Football is a popular sport on the island, and many Puerto Ricans play in organized leagues.
Puerto Ricans and golf
Golf is a popular sport in Puerto Rico, with many locals enjoying playing at the island’s numerous courses. Puerto Ricans also compete internationally in the sport, with several players representing the country at top tournaments such as the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.
Puerto Ricans and hockey
Hockey is a sport that is not typically associated with Puerto Rico. However, there is a growing community of Puerto Ricans who are passionate about the sport. In fact, Puerto Rico has its own hockey team, the San Juan Sharks.
The Sharks are a semi-professional team that plays in the Puerto Rican Hockey League. The team was founded in 2013 and has been steadily growing in popularity. In 2016, the Sharks even hosted an exhibition game against the Florida Panthers, an NHL team.
While hockey may not be as popular as baseball or basketball in Puerto Rico, it is certainly gaining traction among Puertorriqueños.
Puerto Ricans and lacrosse
Lacrosse is a popular sport among Puerto Ricans. It is played on a field with ten players on each team, using long sticks with nets attached to catch and throw the ball. Puerto Ricans have been playing lacrosse since the early 1900s, and it is now one of the island’s most popular sports.
Puerto Ricans and mixed martial arts
Puerto Ricans have a long and rich history in mixed martial arts. The island has produced some of the sport’s biggest stars, including UFC legend Tito Ortiz and current Bellator MMA fighter Hector Lombard. Puerto Ricans have also had success in other combat sports, such as boxing and wrestling.
Puerto Ricans and soccer
Although baseball is the most popular sport in Puerto Rico, soccer is also played by many Puerto Ricans. The Puerto Rican professional soccer league, the Liga Puerto Rico, was founded in 2008. The league currently has eight teams, with each team playing a total of 18 games per season.
Puerto Ricans and tennis
Tennis is a hugely popular sport in Puerto Rico, with many of the country’s top athletes choosing to focus on the game. In recent years, some of Puerto Rico’s most successful sportspeople have been tennis players, including Monica Puig, who became the first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic gold medal in 2016.
Puerto Ricans have also had success in other racket sports, such as badminton and table tennis. In badminton, for example, Nancy Joely Montalvo has been ranked as high as number 18 in the world.
