Panama Makes Historic Debut at the WBSC Premier 12
The 2024 WBSC Premier 12, a prestigious international baseball tournament featuring the world’s top 12 ranked nations, witnessed a remarkable debut from Panama.Led by manager José Mayorga, the Panamanian squad etched their name in history by securing a commendable fifth-place finish. This achievement placed them ahead of baseball powerhouses like south Korea, demonstrating their growing prowess on the global stage.
Only Venezuela (4th), the United States (3rd), Japan (2nd), and Chinese taipei (1st) finished ahead of Panama in the final standings.
Panama’s journey began with a nail-biting 8-9 loss against the Netherlands,a formidable opponent. However, thay quickly bounced back, showcasing their resilience with a resounding 4-2 victory over Venezuela. This victory proved pivotal, setting the tone for their notable campaign.
Competing in Group A, Panama faced a gauntlet of challenging opponents. Despite the tough competition, they displayed remarkable grit and skill, ultimately finishing third in their group with a 3-2 record. While they narrowly missed advancing to the Super Round due to the tournament’s dominance rule, their performance solidified their position as a rising force in international baseball.
Outfielder Jhonny Santos emerged as a standout performer for Panama, leading the team with an impressive .389 batting average. His offensive firepower, highlighted by 7 hits in 18 at-bats, including a triple, 4 doubles, and 2 home runs, played a crucial role in Panama’s success.
The impressive showing at the Premier 12 propelled Panama to eighth place in the WBSC world Ranking, accumulating a total of 3,394 points.This remarkable achievement underscores the rapid progress of Panamanian baseball on the world stage.
Panama’s Premier 12 Game Results:
Panama 8-9 Netherlands
Venezuela 2-4 Panama
Mexico 2-3 Panama
Panama 3-9 United States
* puerto Rico 3-4 panama
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panama’s Historic Rise: An Interview wiht Carlos Lee
Welcome back sports fans! today we’re joined by former MLB All-Star and Panama native, Carlos Lee, to discuss Panama’s phenomenal performance at teh 2024WBSC Premier12. This tournament saw Panama make history, securing a top-5 finish and leaving a lasting impact on the international baseball scene.Welcome to the show, Carlos!
carlos Lee: Thanks for having me. It’s always a pleasure to talk about baseball, especially when it comes to Panama.
Host: Let’s start with that remarkable fifth-place finish. What were your thoughts watching this team compete on such a global stage?
Carlos Lee: I was incredibly proud. This team exceeded expectations. Finishing ahead of powerhouses like South Korea shows the incredible talent and dedication these young men possess.
Host: Absolutely. Speaking of talent, Jhonny Santos truly stood out with his impressive .389 batting average. He was a force to be reckoned with! What do you think makes him such a special player?
Carlos lee: Santos has that raw power and natural hitting ability. He’s been a star in the Panamanian league for a while now, and it was exciting to see him shine on the international stage. He’s definitely one to watch for the future.
Host: The journey wasn’t always smooth though. The opening loss to the Netherlands must have been tough. How importent was the bounce-back victory over Venezuela in terms of setting the tone for the team?
Carlos Lee: That Venezuela game was crucial. It showed the team’s character and resilience. After a tough start,they came back strong,and that win probably ignited a fire within them.
Host: Agreed. Now, strictly speaking,Panama narrowly missed advancing to the Super Round due to the tournament’s dominance rule. Do you think that rule is fair considering Panama’s impressive run?
Carlos Lee: it’s a complex issue. The rule is designed to ensure the top teams face each other, but it’s also tough when a team like Panama plays so well and still misses out on a chance to compete for the title.
Host: It’s a valid point. Now, Panama’s WBSC ranking skyrocketed to eighth place after this tournament. What does this achievement mean for the future of baseball in Panama?
Carlos Lee: This is a defining moment. It shows the world that Panama is a serious contender in baseball. This will inspire young players and attract more investment in the sport. The future looks incredibly bright.
Host: I couldn’t agree more. Carlos, thank you so much for your insights and participation today. This was a fantastic conversation.
Carlos Lee: My pleasure. Let’s continue to celebrate Panama’s success and look forward to an even brighter future for Panamanian baseball!
Host: Absolutely!
Readers,what are your thoughts? Share your opinions on Panama’s performance in the WBSC Premier12 and the future of Panamanian baseball in the comments below!
