"It’s Team Pasteles vs Tamales" - Chicago Cultures Come Together for Mexico-Puerto Rico WBC game

By Joey McDermott

For fans like Omar Sanchez it was, “Winning no matter what! The advantage of being a ‘half breed’” After Mexico beat Puerto Rico 5-4, Omar sent a shout out to, “All my brothers in the barbershop, I still love you.” Omar’s comments and others exemplified Chicago’s division on Friday during a monumental quarterfinal game for the World Baseball Classic.

The two countries — which account for Chicago’s two largest Latino populations — squared off in Miami. The local connection was similar to the World Cup soccer matchup between Poland and Mexico this past fall. That one was pierogi’s vs tacos, this one - Team Pasteles vs Team Tamales. It was, “Viva Mexico!” vs “La Isla Del Encanto.”

The Competition

Chicagoans of all ethnicities have been treated to some of the best baseball in the world. To those that claim this is an exhibition game, go no further than two stars from the two countries.

Boston Red Sox star Alex Verdugo plays for Team Mexico. After their recent win he proclaimed, “This is some of the funnest, best baseball I’ve ever had in my life…emotions to the max…this is what we live for…team Mexico!”

New York Mets star Francisco Lindor plays for Team Puerto Rico and let it be known this is more than an exhibition. He stated, “It was a dream to represent Puerto Rico, represent my country. And to do it with such a special group and the fanbase was incredible,” he said. “The atmosphere in all those games was crazy good. Crazy good.”

The Rivalry

As Chicago comedian Joey Villagomez says, “it’s not true about us not getting along.” Villagomez is Mexican, but often confused for Puerto Rican. Villagomez appreciates the humor in the way the two groups speak Spanish differently. Villagomez added to the culinary aspect of the rivalry by calling it, “Tortas over jibaritos.”

The rivalry might be new to baseball, but is well established within boxing. It’s been promoted through videos and multiple top ten list articles. Mexican fighters like Canelo Alvarez, Julio Cesar Chavez and Oscar De La Hoya are revered in their country as much as Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Miguel Cotto and Hector “Macho” Camacho are in Puerto Rico. The two countries' fighters combined for legendary matches that add lore to the rivalry.

According to longtime Spanish language broadcaster Bernardo Osuna, “Being of Mexican descent, the first time I ever went to Puerto Rico to call a fight, I was afraid because I grew up with that Mexican vs Puerto Rican rivalry. I got to the island and they told me, ‘the rivalry is in the ring’… You’ve got two people who speak the same language, but have very different ways of expressing themselves, and the same manner of supporting.”

When fighters represent each country, “There’s a little extra you have to give, but both with intense pride and support for their fighters. There’s a respect after that fight, they left something in the ring and heart of the fight fans.”

Chicago Connections:

The two groups represent the two largest Latino ethnic groups within the US, with Mexicans at 61% and Puerto Ricans at 10%. Chicago has the second most Mexicans and fifth most Puerto Ricans of any city in the US. Chicago is the only city represented in both top five lists, which makes this rivalry unique to the windy city.

According to 24/7 Wall Street Chicago has the second highest Mexican population in the US.

1. Los Angeles, CA: 1.735 mil

2. Chicago, IL 669,000

3. Houston, TX 606,000

4. Dallas, TX 601,000

5. Riverside/San Bern. CA 562,000

According to the Pew Chicago has the 5th highest Puerto Rican population in the mainland US

1. New York City 1,262,665

2. Orlando, FL 385,283

3. Philadelphia, PA 271,589

4. Miami, FL 223,762

5. Chicago, IL 205,115

To better understand this rivalry and what it means to Chicago, I spoke with three die heart baseball fans.

Jesus “Jesse”'Iniguez is Mexican, was raised in the Back of the Yards neighborhood and graduated from Kennedy High School. He’s owned Back of the Yards Coffee since 2016.

Omar Sanchez is half Puerto Rican and half Mexican, was raised in the Kelvyn Park neighborhood and graduated from Foreman High School. He owned Final Cuts barbershop on Fullerton for 18 years, today he’s a real estate broker.

Danny Ortega is Puerto Rican, was raised in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and graduated from Clemente High School. He’s been a long time baseball coach and sponsor of local youth teams.

On Team Pasteles vs. Team Tamales

Let’s start with the humor of this rivalry. Is it fair to label this game as pasteles vs. tamales?

Jesse: “Pasteles are not the number one Puerto Rican food. Maybe compare lechon and carnitas or Wepa! and Aye, yai yai! Someone compared it to boxers Tito Trinidad vs Oscar De La Hoya.”

Omar: “They are different tastes, but both require a high level of work. They’re both a family affair to make these, you make them for holidays and special occasions and it’s an assembly line. Moms, abuelas, and aunts all helping out, mainly it’s the women, but the kids get involved too.”

Omar expounded on his own personal palate as someone with both heritages, “I lived in a two flat with my Puerto Rican family, grandparents on top, us on the first floor and my mom's sister in the basement - the whole family! It (Puerto Rican culture) dominated my upbringing. Wednesdays my mom made tacos, Mexican food. She learned through my dad’s sister or when they visited. To this day, I insist that my mom’s frijoles are, by far, some of the best Mexican beans you can ever eat.”

Danny: “Of course pasteles are tastier and more delicious, that’s off the bat. On each side they put too much massa. We Puerto Ricans sometimes can't wait to eat Mexican food, and then Mexicans get tired of their food so they want to go to Jibaritos (On Harlem). Our’s is more garlicky, seasoned right…

When it comes to Mexican food, Danny loves the taquerias inside Mexican grocery stores. “My favorite Mexican spot is on North Avenue. Jimenez is real good. You go there, a guy’s chopping the carnitas, add some green sauce for ten bucks, you can’t beat that.”

On why the Rivalry matters to Chicagoans:

Chicago baseball fans know a little something about rivalries. We love our crosstown classic and the Cubs vs Sox smack talk that goes with it. Both can appreciate the rivalry, as well as Chicago’s unique history for the rivalry.

Jesse: “There’s a lot of Puerto Ricans in the Northeastern US and Mexicans in the Southwestern US, but Chicago is historically both Puerto Rican and Mexican. We have this relationship that no other city has. I have a lot of love for my Puerto Rican brothers and sisters…The Puerto Rican Cultural Center has been very supportive to the immigration movement. Our former congressman Luis Guiterrez was one the most ardent fighters for immigration reform. There’s lots of relationships there…”

Omar: During the 1980’s and 90’s, “Growing up (on the northside) we understood and knew, the Latinos in Chicago were Puerto Rican. Then an influx of Mexicans and they leapfrogged us in sheer numbers. We know each other pretty well. By the time I hit my teenage years I was meeting more and more ‘half breeds.’”

When Omar told his mother he was a half breed, it confused her. “My mom says, ‘Mijo, what’s half breed? What do you mean?’ I told her that’s what we would call each other, there’s lots of us here in Chicago.”

When Omar posted on FB, he showed a tattoo with both countries' flags in a heart shape, with one on the top and one on the bottom. His mom joined in on the fun once she realized it was in humor, “Then why is Mexico on top of the Puerto Rican flag?” Omar did this on purpose because, “I’m just messing with the Boricuas. I purposely picked that one to mess with my Puerto Rican friends.”

Danny: Our (Puerto Rican) community is smaller, so if we win something it's big. We only have the flag to flag (Division Street), they have the southside, 26th Street and all over. Our small community here in Chicago has Humboldt Park, winning that game (against Mexico) for bragging rights, that would have been a plus!

On Mexico’s Breakout Star of the Tournament

Mexico has had great contributions by Cuban born Randy Arozarena.

Jesse: “I think it’s awesome, Cuba and Mexico have a long relationship. Mexico has been accused of being anti-black and rightfully so. We need more of that. There’s a larger black population than people realize, because of the embargo many Cuban artists came through Mexico and made their mark. Perez Parado is an artist. Lots of telenovela stars are Cuban, but produced in Mexico. He’s representing Mexico with pride, overcoming barriers. (Arozarena) in the limelight, and his pride in Mexico, opens up the conversation (about race in Mexico).”

Omar: “It’s hilarious, every Puerto Rican kept saying, ‘he’s not even Mexican, that’s it’s not fair, you had to get a Cuban to win.’ Hey, he has a Mexican daughter. To me - he’s Mexican. You can’t be mad.”

Danny: “I liked it, especially if Cuba didn’t want him. It’s beautiful, he’s from another culture and wants to be Mexican, he has a mansion in Mexico, his daughter is Mexican and there's tradition there. Screw Cuba, so he talked to the ambassador and they made him a Mexican.”

Just Like the Cubs vs Sox

Jesse: “I love that about Chicago, like the Cubs and Sox thing, but even though in those rivalries we're passionate, but at the end of the day we are still friends. That's the relationship we have with Puerto Ricans and Mexicans. In Chicago we have a lot of ‘MexiRicans’.”

Omar: “It’s similar to a White Sox vs. Cubs reality, a city divided. We had a lot of posts last Friday about a ‘house divided’ during Friday’s game. We all get along, it's all in good fun.”

Tuesday’s final pits the US and Japan. Last night Japan beat Mexico in thrilling fashion with a walk off win. For Danny Ortega, it was all about team Japan, “You kidding me! Mexico beat my Puerto Ricans.”

But Danny, what about tonight? USA or Japan? “Kind of question is that! USA papa!” To that I say, Si claro!