I elected this subject because I believed it was crucial to emphasize the recent accomplishments of Latino baseball players, demonstrating how minority groups can thrive in America. Through the field of baseball, Latino athletes have gained fame and wealth, something that was previously unimaginable without Major League Baseball. Major League Baseball has provided Latin Americans with the chance to improve their economic and social circumstances.
Many Latin American children aspire to play baseball in the Major Leagues as it offers a way to escape their challenging circumstances. Poverty is prevalent in several Latin American countries, prompting these children to dream of achieving wealth and fame like their esteemed Latin American idols, including Sammy Sosa. Sammy Sosa, renowned for his thrilling homerun race with Mark Maguire, has become widely known. He symbolizes the prospect of success for numerous Latinos and has paved the way for many of them to join the Major Leagues. A considerable number of Latinos have seized this opportunity, resulting in them now constituting almost thirty percent of professional baseball players. The Major Leagues currently house nearly two hundred Latino baseball players, many of whom have attained significant achievements.
Juan Gonzalez and Ivan Rodriguez were both awarded the 1998 American League MVP title, while Sammy Sosa received the 1998 National League MVP accolade. On the other hand, Bernie Williams emerged as the batting champion for the American League in 1998. In 1999, Pedro Martinez was honored with the Cy Young Award, and Rafael Palmiero secured the American League Gold Glove Award. These outstanding Latino baseball players exemplify the significant talent found in Major League Baseball.
Alex Rodriguez, a Latino, made history in 2000 by becoming the highest paid baseball player in Major League Baseball. He signed a seven-year contract worth two hundred and fifty-six million dollars, which not only established him as the wealthiest baseball player but also made him the richest Latin American athlete ever. This groundbreaking signing proved that Latin American athletes deserved lucrative contracts on par with their counterparts.
Teams in Major League Baseball are taking advantage of the abundant talent in Latin America, specifically the Dominican Republic. The Dodgers were the pioneers in exploring the Latin American market and closely scouting its talent pool. At the start of this year, they had 237 minor-league players under contract, with 104 of them coming from Latin America. Unlike their American counterparts, these aspiring players benefit from favorable baseball weather year-round. While the Dominican Republic boasts nearly 80 professional baseball players, other Latin American countries also contribute to this number. Puerto Rico has around 40 players, Venezuela has over 30, Mexico has 14, Cuba has over 20, Panama has 10, Colombia and Nicaragua both have five players each in the Major Leagues. This totals to approximately 200 Latin American players in MLB and that number continues to rise. However, despite the increasing presence of Latino players on the field, there is still a lack of diversity when it comes to Latinos holding coaching and front office positions. Felipe Alou, a former manager for the Montreal Expos who was born in Haina, Dominican Republic attributed this scarcity to racism. He believes that while there will be an increase in Latino players, there won’t be a corresponding increase in Latino managers. It will be a challenge for Latinos involved in baseball to boost representation within management roles and ensure equal opportunities for all individuals involved.
Despite the migration of fans to other professional sports, Major League Baseball is finding hope for Latinos in baseball due to the demographic shift. Census figures predict that the Latino population in the United States will increase by 73% to reach 40 million by 2010. Recognizing this growth, certain teams are already capitalizing on the purchasing power of Latinos. For instance, the Florida Marlins celebrated their inaugural appearance with a Hispanic baseball coin, while the San Diego Padres offer discounted transportation for their fans from Tijuana, Mexico for $11, which includes game tickets.
Latinos have made a name for themselves in Major League baseball, excelling in a sport that was historically dominated by white players. Their achievements can be compared to the successes African Americans have had in basketball, which used to be seen as a predominantly white sport. Throughout history, minorities have gained social acceptance through their accomplishments in sports. This paper has allowed me to learn various facts about baseball and Latin American athletes, and I strongly believe that individuals from all countries should have equal opportunities to succeed in America. As someone who isn’t particularly interested in baseball, writing this paper has been an enlightening experience for me. I believe that Latin American athletes deserve recognition for their achievements in a foreign country as they have seized an opportunity and excelled at it, potentially influencing the game of baseball.
Works Cited
Cockcroft, James. Latinos in Beisbol (Hispanic Experience in America). Franklin Watts Publishing: New York, 1996
Morey, Janet. Famous Hispanic Americans. Cobblehill Books Publishing: New York, 1996
Winter, John. Beisbol! : Latino Baseball Pioneers and Legends. Lee and Low Publishing: Boston, 2001
