Benjamín Gil and the challenge of maintaining his level in the World Classic

▲ Benjamín Gil and Rodrigo López (center) were confirmed as head coach and general manager, respectively. Photo: Mexican Baseball League

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, p. a11

After Mexico's best performance in a World Baseball Classic in 2023, where they offered memorable games and achieved an unprecedented third place, the challenge will be to maintain that level due to the impact it had on the sport. For that reason, the National Team Commission, made up of the Mexican Baseball League (LMB) and the Mexican Baseball Federation, ratified Rodrigo López and Benjamín Gil, as general manager and coach, respectively, to lead the tricolor team that will participate in the next edition of that tournament, which will be played from March 5 to 17, 2026.

"We're going to give more satisfaction to all Mexican baseball fans ," said Rodrigo López, a winner of 81 career games over 11 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Padres, Orioles, Rockies, Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Cubs.

Randy Arozarena (who became a star thanks to that participation), Luis Urías, and Isaac Paredes have already raised their hands to return to us. Meanwhile, Andrés Muñoz, Ramón Urías, Manny Rodríguez, and Alejandro Kirk have already expressed interest and will of course be considered , added Rodrigo López.

Sinaloa pitcher Julio Urías will be one of the notable absentees on the mound, due to the sanction imposed by Major League Baseball for being a repeat offender of domestic violence and a lawsuit filed with Los Angeles County authorities. Horacio de la Vega, president of the LMB, warned that while this is the case, he will not be considered.

Unfortunately, since he has not yet complied with the legal sanction imposed by the competent authority in the United States, he cannot be considered for selection; his process ends in 2027, and until that happens, we will not make any decisions in this regard , De la Vega said.

Stadium attendance increased

The impact on Mexican baseball following that 2023 appearance, when they reached the semifinals and finished third in the tournament for the first time in history, was decisive in the path it has taken since then. Not only did personalities like Randy Arozarena become popular, but fans began to pay more attention to the performance of Mexicans in the Major Leagues and in the various local tournaments.

The LMB has steadily grown in stadium attendance, even surpassing some Liga MX venues. Viewership figures on various broadcast platforms have also increased exponentially, and sponsorships have surged. Executives have acknowledged that a significant part of this boost comes from Mexico's success in the World Baseball Classic.

According to various reports, the LMB has grown between 30 and 40 percent annually in terms of fan base, sponsorship, and media reach. Viewership across various platforms reached 60 million viewers last season.

Roberto Mansur died

Roberto Mansur Galán died this Monday. He played a fundamental role in Mexican baseball, deeply linked to the LMB and the Diablos Rojos del México.

He made his mark as a manager with the Broncos de Reynosa, the Cafeteros de Córdoba, and, of course, the Escarlatas. He also served as president of the LMB Advisory Council and was inducted into the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, p. a11

Rodrigo Pacheco's Parisian dream ended. The Mexican tennis player was eliminated in the first round of Roland Garros qualifying after falling 6-4, 6-3 to Ecuadorian Álvaro Guillén. Pacheco sought throughout the match to counter his opponent's ferocious attacks, but failed to advance to the main draw.

"It was an incredible experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though it wasn't the result I hoped for. So I hope to learn a lot from this loss and move forward. I was very close in the first set, but there were a few glitches. In the second, I started well and then slipped into a game I shouldn't have lost. I hope to improve for the next one and continue learning ," declared the tricolor at the end of the match.

The Yucatecan is the first Mexican to compete in the men's singles division of the Parisian tournament since 2010, when Santiago González competed in the same qualifying round; however, he didn't look comfortable on clay yesterday.

Guillén took control of the match with a powerful serve, hitting five aces and winning 69 percent of points on his first serve. Pacheco had 62 percent effectiveness on his first serve, although he only hit one ace .

At 20 years old, the Mexican has seen a rise in his career after establishing himself as the number one junior and surprising this year at the Mexican Open by reaching the quarterfinals. He currently holds the 262nd position in the ATP rankings , with a characteristically aggressive style of play that helped him win the junior doubles title at Roland Garros in 2023 alongside Russian Yaroslav Demin.

Guillén, meanwhile, is ranked 180th and will face Argentine Andrea Collarini tomorrow in the second match of the qualifying phase, seeking a spot in the tournament's starting lineup.

Mexico will still be represented at Roland Garros by Renata Zarazúa, who will compete in singles, while Santiago González, Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela, and Giuliana Olmos will compete in doubles.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, p. a11

As part of the 2025 National Olympics of the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE), which began on May 16, the Secretary of Public Education, Mario Delgado Carrillo, congratulated the student athletes for their achievements during the first three days of competition.

On his social media, the secretary emphasized that sports are a possibility for peace, a game, and are part of the strategy to prevent addictions and promote healthy habits promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum through the Ministry of Public Education (SEP), in coordination with the 32 states.

The sporting activities of the 2025 CONADE National Olympiad began this weekend in Tlaxcala, with 3x3 basketball, breaking, and table tennis competitions.

Jalisco leads the medal table with 17 medals (10 gold, four silver and three bronze), followed by Coahuila with five medals (three gold, one silver and one bronze), Baja California with four (two gold and two silver) and the state of Mexico in fifth place, with one of each metal.

In table tennis, Jalisco stood out, winning 10 gold medals, three silver, and three bronze; Baja California and Coahuila each won two golds, although they pulled away with two silver and four bronze medals.

In women's 3x3 basketball, Oaxaca won gold in the 2007-2008 category, while silver went to San Luis Potosí and bronze to Hidalgo.

In breaking , the gold medals were shared between Guanajuato, Mexico State, Querétaro, and Quintana Roo. The silver medals went to Chihuahua, Mexico City, Coahuila, and Jalisco, while the bronze medals went to Guanajuato, Chihuahua, Nuevo León, and Oaxaca.

40,000 athletes participate in the Olympiad in 52 disciplines.

▲ Young Iñaki has won three international medals. Photo by María Luisa Severiano. Photo by María Luisa Severiano.

Adriana Díaz Reyes

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, p. a12

When Iñaki Hernández was three years old, he dreamed of diving from the top rope at the Arena México. His father, Andrés, and his uncles, wrestling fans, guided him through his first training sessions to develop skills like flexibility and strength. Nine years later, and 500 kilometers from home, the athlete is pursuing a new goal: becoming an Olympic diving champion.

At first, it was very difficult to be away from my family; moving to Guadalajara was a complicated decision, but I had the full support of my parents. My goal is to win gold at the Olympics. I believe I can achieve it because I have the foundation I acquired through wrestling and gymnastics , the 12-year-old told La Jornada .

Iñaki's image in front of the Panam Sports microphones moved social media a few days ago when the young diver dedicated his gold medal to his mother, Perla.

The truth is, my mom couldn't make it, so I dedicated this to her. "I love you, Mom! " she declared through tears after winning first place in the three-meter springboard event at the Pan American Games in Medellín.

The scene quickly went viral and sparked a wave of affection, admiration, and support from both users and sports figures.

I feel very happy about everything the video brought about. My mom was delighted, and that was the goal. I hope one day I can become like the great divers Mexico has; one I especially admire is Germán Sánchez , he shared.

With his eyes lit up, the athlete showed off the three international medals he has won so far, while sharing his admiration for the wrestler La Parka .

“I didn't achieve my goal of becoming a wrestler, but I still really enjoy watching fights. It's a really cool and entertaining sport. La Parka , in particular, strikes me as a charismatic athlete who interacts a lot with people,” added Iñaki, who practiced gymnastics for seven years.

The diver has shared the pool with Olympic medalists such as Gabriela Agúndez and Osmar Olvera, who have advised him on how to perfect his performances.

"What they tell me most is to improve my posture, to be a confident competitor, and that if I put all my effort into it, one day I'll be like them ," added the athlete, who divides his days between his training and his first-year high school studies.

In the mornings I study and then I go to training. There are times when I've wanted to give up, but my friends and family help me not to give up.

Iñaki's next goal is the National Olympics, where he hopes to win several medals. Despite having international medals under his belt, he doesn't consider himself a favorite.

In Mexico, you can't be complacent in any competition; the level is very high in every category, so I have to train and continue perfecting my technique. We have little time to rest; champions must give 100 percent and more.

Iñaki will return to Guadalajara in a few hours, where, under the guidance of his coach, Salvador Chávez, a disciple of Iván Bautista, he will continue to build a career that looks set to be successful.

Although I'm very young, I'm clear about what I want to achieve. It's very difficult to be away from my family, but I think it will all be worth it in the end , the athlete emphasized.

▲ The Mexican mountaineer is the first Latin American to reach these peaks. Photo @virialvarezmx

Adriana Díaz Reyes

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, p. a12

For more than nine years, Viridiana Álvarez has challenged human limits. Temperatures of minus 40 degrees, impassable roads, lack of food, and death as a possibility on every climb.

None of this could stop the Mexican mountaineer, who yesterday received the Guinness World Record as the first Latin American to conquer the 14 highest mountains in the world.

The most difficult part of this adventure has been watching people die in front of me. I've lost many friends and loved ones, and those experiences are very difficult to navigate. However, you have to give life meaning, honor the people who fell by the wayside, and reach where they would have wanted to go , Viridiana shared.

Álvarez climbed his first mountain at the age of 30; from then on, he set his sights on reaching the eight-thousanders and carrying the Mexican flag to the summit.

“There isn't a single expedition where I haven't said, 'What am I doing here? I'm so tired.' It was a very demanding journey because your mind constantly challenges you. Mental training was essential to keeping my goal in sight; there were places where you could only fit one foot, and then you had to think, 'I'm not going to fall, I can't fall,'” she recalled.

Among the mountains climbed by Viridiana, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Cho Oyu, Annapurna and Gasherbrum II stand out, among others.

In October of last year, Viridiana reached the last of the 14 mountains, her face burned by the cold and most of her body frozen. She took out the Mexican flag, placed it on the summit, and thanked her luck for reaching the top safely.