PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – With just two and a half weeks from the start of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the 12th Class of the Salón de la Fama de Béisbol Latino shined on the brightest stage at the Hotel Lopesan Grand Auditorium on The Coconut Coast. Dominican legends Bartolo “Big Sexy” Colón, Miguel Tejada, and Julio Franco represented the nation, alongside Mexican-American Adrián González and Venezuelan Francisco Rodríguez.
The celebration serves as the ultimate preamble to the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The international baseball spotlight will quickly pivot from honoring past legends in Punta Cana to crowning new champions in March across San Juan, Miami, and Houston.
Miguel Tejada
Tejada discussed the impact of playing in the Dominican Winter League and his career durability. “Yo creo que la razón por la cual todos los años, mi número iban as ascenso era por eso porque yo jugaba en la pelota de invierno… creo que es la mejor universidad para cualquier joven que quiera desarrollarse.”
(“I think the reason why my numbers went up every year was because I played winter ball… I think it’s the best university for any young person who wants to develop.”)
Tejada also reflected on the era of elite shortstops and the pressure of being compared to his peers. “Cuando yo jugaba en grandes liga que me comparaba con ellos, yo no trabajaba pensando de que podía ser igual que ellos. Pero yo si trabajaba simplemente para que esa voz que siempre decía a los periodistas… yo trataba de mantenerla.”
Julio Franco
Franco spoke about the mental and physical drive that allowed him to rewrite the record books into his late 40s. “I never thought about being 47, 48, 49. I thought, the only thing I thought about it was I’m in great shape. I can see the ball. I can continue hitting the ball at this level.”
Regarding his managers and peers, Franco was definitive about the influences on his career. “All of them were great, but the best was Bobby Cox. Hands down.” On playing with Andruw Jones, he noted the defensive brilliance of the Cooperstown-bound outfielder: “When you saw it, you say there’s no way. Wow. Defensively, no one like him.”
Bartolo Colón
Colón reflected on his 247 wins—the all-time record for a Latin American pitcher—and the personal struggles he overcame late in his career. “Sobre mi mis récor de 240 ganado una bendición de Dios, que todo es de Dios… Le agradezco mi carrera a Cleveland, que fue lo que me dieron la oportunidad.”
Colón candidly discussed almost retiring in 2010 due to depression following the loss of a family member. “Eso me dio mucha depresión… Pero gracias a Dios y de Brian Cashman que me llevó a los Yankees pude venir para atrás otra vez.”
Adrián González
González discussed his legacy with Team Mexico and how the game has evolved since he first took the field. “La generación en la que yo jugué el mover un corredor era muy importante… Hoy en día esas cosas no cuentan tanto. No les gusta tanto el sacrificio de dar un out por una carrera.”
Regarding the growth of the game in Mexico, González praised the work of manager Benji Gil. “Benji has shown that he’s the best manager in Mexico. Players really root for him. I think he’s been able to get the most out of his players.”
Francisco “K-Rod” Rodríguez
The 12th Class also immortalized one of the most dominant closers in the history of the sport: Francisco Rodríguez. Although “K-Rod” was unable to attend the ceremony in person due to personal reasons, his induction was met with a resounding ovation, celebrating a resume that redefined the late-inning landscape.
With 437 career saves, Rodríguez ranks fourth on the all-time MLB list, a testament to 16 seasons of high-pressure dominance. He first burst onto the scene as a 20-year-old phenom, helping the Anaheim Angels secure the 2002 World Series title. His most enduring milestone came in 2008, when he set the major league record for saves in a single season with 62—a mark that remains untouched nearly two decades later.
Beyond his MLB accolades, which include six All-Star selections and two AL Rolaids Relief Man Awards, Rodríguez was a pillar for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. His commitment to his roots and his work ethic across five different MLB organizations solidified his status as a permanent icon of Latin American baseball excellence.
The Salón de la Fama induction also symbolizes the players who have won the World Baseball Classic, Caribbean Series titles, and championships across the winter leagues of Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. As the 2026 WBC approaches, these legends remind the world that for Latin American nations, the quest for international glory is just beginning.
Photo: Legends of the game: Bartolo Colón, Miguel Tejada, Adrián González, and Julio Franco at the 2025 Salón de la Fama del Béisbol Latino.
