viernes, 8 de julio de 2011

Latino Baseball Players: Dominican dominance coming?

I am always amazed at the number of US  major league baseball players coming from Latin America-more specifically from Spanish speaking Caribbean locales-The Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezuela,  Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

I know it doesn't generate the interest in many countries that a good Barca/Real Madrid or a Vasco da Gama/ Fluminense or a Benfica/Sporting Lisboa or a ManU/Chelsea match-on and on, but the history of baseball fascinates me.

Nonetheless, the degree to which Latino players are successful is amazing.  In the 1950's it was Minnie Minoso or perhaps Chico Carrasquel (sp?).  Later came Roberto Clemente, Juan Marichal, Fernando Valenzuela, and today's under rated Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz-to name but a few.  As the Wall Street Journal points out in the article below,  baseball scouts looking for future ballplayers are more and more focusing on Domos.  The Domincan Republic, with 10 million inhabitants, is fertile ground for scouts.  History recalls Tony Peña, a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates known as the "best bad ball hitter" in baseball.  I think he was among the first Dominicans to become a home country hero due to his success in the major leagues.

Is there any professional sports league in any country where non-indigenous players are so successful?

The link to the article can be found here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303544604576431984202154592.html




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