The Cincinnati Red Stockings were the first team to form in Major League Baseball in 1869, which marked the start of America’s national pastime. Young boys across the country dream of playing in the major leagues, from San Francisco to New York City. Baseball originally started in New York and expanded westward during the Civil War and Gold Rush. Today, it is a globally celebrated sport.
Despite the existence of baseball organizations in different countries, racism remains present within the sport. It is surprising to note that baseball initially emerged as a game for privileged individuals. The Knickerbocker Base Ball Club, established by white-collar New Yorkers in 1845, comprised wealthy men who played baseball as a leisurely pursuit. While others also participated in the game, they did not form an organized team until the creation of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club (Koppett 5).
Shortly after its formation, the club released a set of regulations specifying the dimensions of the field, the distance between each base, and the separation between the pitcher and the batter. Although most of these rules were later modified, the transition from a game played in schoolyards to a fully-fledged sport had occurred. The team’s inaugural official match was a catastrophe. Comprising affluent men who organized themselves according to social status, they encountered a squad composed of skilled players, resulting in the Knickerbocker’s defeat with a score of 23-1.
According to Leonard Koppett, this was a significant moment in baseball history as it shifted the focus of teams from being just an elite gentlemen’s club to winning with skilled players. Two events played a role in spreading baseball across the country from the East Coast during the period between the first official game in 1845 and the 1860s. The first event was the Gold Rush, during which individuals who already knew the game from the East moved to California in search of gold. For many men who had traveled west alone, baseball provided a means of passing time and socializing with new people.
The first baseball game in San Francisco occurred in 1860, featuring two newly established clubs (Nelson 11). These players were amateurs who played for enjoyment and received no payment. It wasn’t until 1869 that the inaugural MLB team was formed, marking the start of professional baseball and paid athletes. Interestingly, this same year witnessed the completion of the intercontinental railroad within the United States. The completion of the railroad enabled Red Stockings players to travel a total distance of 12,000 miles and perform in front of approximately 200,000 spectators (Spalding 10). As per historian David Vaught, baseball served as a distraction from individuals’ monotonous and challenging lives while offering excitement, stability, diversion, mutual support, and momentary satisfaction (Vaught 9). This appeal extended not only to rural Americans throughout the 19th and 20th centuries but also to people from other nations. Amid rapid life changes, baseball provided entertainment and an escape from daily routines for its audiences.
The initial Latino baseball player also doubled as the first Cuban baseball player in history. Esteban Bellan was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1849. It was in Havana where he initially encountered baseball. Like numerous others in Cuba, Bellan grasped baseball skills from US sailors. Following a two-year stint in the Majors, Bellan returned to Cuba and arranged the nation’s inaugural baseball game in 1874. Subsequently, almost 200 MLB players have hailed from Cuba (according to baseball Almanac). As a result, Cuba swiftly became a prime hub for players and talent scouting.
Many Major League ball players would travel to Cuba in the winter, with Bellan playing a significant role in initiating this trend of professional players coming to Cuba. However, despite the demand for skilled players, Cubans still faced discrimination and had to overcome numerous obstacles to enter the country. The way society perceived these baseball players was even more disturbing. Being Cuban and playing baseball in America came with significant disadvantages, as most players were obliged to compete in the Negro Leagues.
In certain cases, some players were allowed to participate as long as they could provide evidence of their “whiteness.” To appease the fans, the Reds required both Cubans to present notarized documents from Cuban authorities certifying their unmixed European heritage. Eventually, the Cincinnati press seemed convinced of their racial purity, describing them as “two of the purest bars of Castille soap that ever floated to these shores” (Campello 2). Cuban players, who came from integrated baseball leagues, were put under scrutiny and had to demonstrate their European ancestry to be eligible for non-negro leagues. Adolfo Luque, arguably the greatest Cuban baseball player of all time, actively confronted racist attitudes in baseball. Recognized for his exceptional skills as a pitcher, he still had to prove himself in other aspects to earn respect as a human being.
During his time playing for Cincinnati, Luque experienced insults from the Giants’ dugout. In response, he charged at the dugout and punched Casey Stengel. Despite Stengel denying responsibility for insulting Luque and instead accusing Bill Cunningham, police intervened and sent Luque back to his bench. However, his Cincinnati teammates supported him and almost caused a riot. Amidst the chaos, Luque grabbed a bat and returned to the Giants’ dugout. Eventually, order was restored but both Luque and Stengel were ejected from the game (Campello 3).
After retiring as a player, Luque became a coach in the US major leagues and also managed teams in the Cuban league. His active involvement beyond playing baseball was significant. He was one of the first Latinos to coach in the US major leagues, paving the way for others like Mike Gonzalez who followed in his footsteps. Gonzalez had a 17-season career as a catcher in the US major league and although his statistics may not have been outstanding, he played an important role in breaking down racial barriers for Latinos in baseball.
Following his retirement from playing baseball, Gonzalez joined the Cardinals as a coach. However, when the manager was let go during the season, he became the temporary manager, making him the first Latino manager in history.
Both Luque and Gonzalez played crucial roles in promoting inclusion of Latino baseball players in US major leagues. They tirelessly advocated for bringing Cuban players to play in the US majors and worked equally hard to convince American Major League players to participate in winter baseball in Cuba.
For an impressive 56 years, Gonzalez managed Cuba’s most renowned baseball team until professional baseball ended in Cuba.
Orestes Minoso had a dual career as both a player and manager, achieving success by leading the Habana Reds to 13 championships. In 1949, he made history by breaking the final barrier in US Major league baseball. This remarkable feat occurred just two years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Minoso embarked on his first season with the Indians, becoming the first black Cuban player in the US major league.
In baseball history, Minoso stands out for multiple reasons. He is one of only 29 players to have appeared in Major League games across four decades. Furthermore, he holds a unique distinction as the sole individual to have made an appearance in a major league game in seven decades.
Minoso, a three-time golden glove winner and nine-time all-star, proved his baseball prowess despite differences in skin color and language. He faced adversity bravely and became an inspiration for Cubans of all ages. In the 1980s, Latinos made up 13% of MLB players. Currently, they comprise almost 29% of the player population. Sadly, out of nearly 300 players inducted into the Hall of Fame, only 13 are Latino.
Arte Moreno remains the sole Latino owner in the history of MLB, showcasing the enduring presence of racial barriers within the organization. Although Latinos are well-represented in playing positions, their involvement is scarce at the executive levels of MLB. In order to address the underrepresentation of Latinos in higher positions throughout MLB teams, it is crucial to offer them expanded opportunities beyond the field.
