Panama name Damaso Espino as General Manager for World Baseball Classic 2026
Former professional player Damaso Espino has been named General Manager of Panama’s National Baseball Team ahead of the upcoming World Baseball Classic 2026. Espino works as an international scouter for the St. Louis Cardinals MLB organisation.
"I am very happy and proud to be able to represent my country in this new role," said the 41-year-old Panamanian during an interview with Podcast FEDEBEIS. "I have done it since I was a child as a player, and now I have the opportunity to do so as a General Manager in a World Baseball Classic, which I previously played in. I am grateful for the appointment."
Espino, a former professional catcher, played 15 seasons in Minor League Baseball teams such as the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.
"Our goal is to reach the second round. We haven't been able to do it in 20 years, and part of my responsibility is ensuring that everyone in the Federation, the coaches, the players—everyone—shares the same goal of getting our country into the top eight in the World Baseball Classic for the first time in history," he added. "I'm already eager to start working toward this goal, which is ambitious, but if we work together, we can achieve it."
Throughout his career, he has contributed his talent to the national team, participating in various international events, including the World Baseball Classic 2009 and the final IBAF Baseball World Cup in 2011, where he was selected for the "All-World Team."
Espino, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration from the Ken Blanchard College of Business at Grand Canyon University and has a certification in Negotiation from Yale University, said that his first responsibility is to name the manager and coaching staff for the team. "This is likely a decision that needs to be made within the next month, the next 40 days," he said.
"And the most important thing right now is to start conversations with the players—not just those in the Major Leagues, but also many others we will need, including some with Panamanian heritage," he mentioned. "We have an athletic team, fast players, players who can contribute in different aspects of the game, and that is crucial in short tournaments like this. If we focus on the small details, if our pitchers are ready to attack the strike zone and give us quality innings early in the Classic, we will be able to achieve our goal."
Panama is placed in Group A of the next World Baseball Classic, alongside Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, and one team yet to be determined. This group will play at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
"This is the World Baseball Classic—every team is going to be tough and competitive. My goal as the leader of this group is to find the competitive advantages that can help us win two or three games and advance. Our goal is to be ready from day one. I believe our competitive edge lies in having our players fully prepared to execute from the start. That is the way to beat teams that, on paper, have more talent or a bigger reputation than us."