Above: Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina
By the Caribbean Journal staff
Last night represented the first time two Caribbean teams faced off against one another in the final of a World Baseball Classic.
And while it was the Dominican Republic that emerged victorious, the leaders of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic found time after the game for a moment of intra-Caribbean good will.
Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla phoned Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina immediately after the World Baseball Classic final Tuesday night to congratulate him on the DR’s victory.
Medina said Padilla expressed “admiration for the bravery and brotherhood” with which both teams competed, and said he was very happy because the crown had stayed in the Caribbean.
He also displayed his admiration for Jose Reyes, and invited Medina to celebrate this Caribbean victory “together.”
Medina said he thanked the Governor for his “gesture of Caribbean fellowship.”
In a statement on Facebook, Padilla said “we congratulate our Dominican brothers for their victory, and we are proud of our team.”
Last night’s game was won by the Dominican Republic by a score of 3-0.
Japan had won the inaugural tournament in 2006 and its second edition in 2009.