Smuggling Cuban Baseball Players Essay

Venezuela has struggled against the other teams in some sports like baseball and soccer. North America has recruited some players to play in the Major League teams. Venezuelan baseball players are regularly complete aboard.

1. Briefly, what are the major developments in the history of the labor-management relationship within Major League Baseball?

Every year, it becomes more obvious that many sports in America have problems. For years, Hockey has been criticized for its excessive violence. The National Football League has also been scrutinized for this reason as well as the fact that many of the top players have constantly been in trouble with the law. Major League Baseball is no different. The situation with baseball is more complicated, and is not only ruining the game itself, but also drawing millions of fans away from the sport. The biggest problem is with the high salaries paid to athletes. These salaries are taking the competitiveness out of several sports, especially baseball, where there is no salary cap. Action must be taken

San Pedro De Marcoris, a costal city of the Republic which is the center of sugar production, is the only region in the world that has enough local talent to form a Major League baseball team. Most of the people of this sugar mill concentration are Colocos, as with most of the great baseball players of the Dominican Republic. So what is the connection between baseball and these Dominicans of English descent? Many will consider the hereditary aspect, as Colocos seem to be bigger in size than native Dominicans. However, the culture that they advocate is the major link in this relationship. The Colocos had a very organized and disciplined culture, carrying the British colonial tradition with them. This meant a certain degree of experience in benevolent societies and collective self-help, along with a strong sense of individualism. And they brought a passion for the game of cricket, which transformed into that of baseball. This attitude was carried on to the field and the approach to the game. Althouth the distinction between English and Dominican has waned, Colocos have without a doubt been the core of Dominican baseball's success,

While he may seem he couldn’t have been any better on the field, he was just as great off the field. Clemente knew that leadership and social responsibility in the Latino world was also a part of his career (Regalado 679). In fact, he stated, “Lots of kids will try to imitate me, and maybe I will have the chance to do some good for people,” in an interview with the New York Times (Regalado 679). Clemente’s presence on and off the field challenged the misconceptions about Latino players, especially those from Puerto Rico, by the typical American at the time. Driven by the need to succeed, he emerged as a symbol for not only Latino recognition but also Puerto Rican (Regalado 683).

The sport is such an integral part of our culture today that we Americans sometimes take for granted its significance in our everyday lives. Contemporary baseball is so closely related with American ideals and identity that it often has served as an expression of patriotism. In times of national hardships, baseball has been used to encourage and rally the nation. In speaking of the emergence of America's nationalism in the historic and contemporary playing field, there are several key issues that surface. Of these issues I will specifically address the long residuals of how baseball has helped to establish our (Americans) national spirit and identity. That is the links between our heritage and national institutions and the game of baseball as a cultural and political representative abroad and unifying tradition at home. I will also address ideals and injustices. That is how baseball's acceptability has changed over time, and how this acts as a microcosm for America's changing attitudes about equality and opportunity.

While there was no legitimate rule banning African Americans from playing on a Major League team, it was generally accepted that professional teams would be comprised of all white players. The only time that the color line was briefly ignored was in the late 1880s, when a handful of black players played on predominantly white teams as pointed out by Jonathan Eig. By the end of the 1800s, there were virtually no African American men left on professional teams. Baseball’s first real commissioner, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, attempted to deny the existence of any rule, formal or informal, that kept blacks from playing in the majors, but all he actually succeeded in doing was exhibiting the ignorance of both himself and his administration. The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball was not the only sector of the sport that acted with ignorance prior to integration. The owners failed to question segregation or even broach the subject of racism. The lack of discussion or interest in the inclusion of blacks from both the Office of the Commissioner and individual teams only cemented racism further into America’s favorite pastime. The division between white and black ballplayers would grow even wider with the formation of the Negro

Playing in the MLB is a dream that many kids have, not just in America but around the world. As a Cuban born boy Brayan Pena dreamed about playing in the major leagues, but being from Cuba made getting to America just as hard as getting into the major leagues. In 1999, at age 16, Pena was playing for the Cuban National team when his friend approached him and told him of an opportunity for him to leave Cuba. Without notifying any family or friends, for fear of serious trouble, he left Cuba with no money and just the clothes on his back.

His passion was truly for baseball, during his free time all he did was practice and play. Even his high school baseball coach told a scout for the professional Santurce baseball team to keep his look out for him. Shortly after high school Roberto turned 18 and he attended a tryout camp hosted by Al Campanis the Brooklyn dodgers eventual general manager. This certain camp was really what jump started his career. The camp had seventy-seven players, and seventy players were sent home. Campanis declared that Clemente stood out in contrast to the other players at the camp, “He was the best free-agent Athlete I have ever seen”. Roberto was eventually signed to the brooklyn dodgers in 1954 with a signing bonus of ten thousand dollars. The club rules at the time stated any player that has over a four thousand dollar signing bonus would need to stay in the minors for one year. When november arrived he would be qualified to be picked up by another club. Recognizing his talent, the Brooklyn Dodgers placed Roberto on their Montreal farm team.They played him sparsely, hoping that he wouldn’t get signed by a another club. But despite their efforts of trying to keep him hidden he had substantial performances when he did play. Clyde Sukeforth a scout for the Pirates noticed Roberto’s talent and traded him from the Brooklyn Dodgers for four thousand dollars. This initiated a

The minor league system is also referred to as an organizations farm system. These minor league systems are split into many different levels such as: Triple A, Double A, Single A (both low and high), Rookie ball, and other lower level instructional leagues with Triple A being the highest and closest level to the Majors. What is quite unique about Major League Baseball’s minor league system compared to that of other such Professional sports leagues is that it is comprised of such diversity. The minors have players from US colleges, high schools, but also from all over Latin America. Major League Baseball has established itself in Latin America as a premiere way for these young kids who are looking for a way out of their developing nation to find success in the American dream. While the MLB focuses much time and effort all over Latin America, this paper will focus primarily on how Major League Baseball helps developing nations specifically the case of the Dominican Republic.

When researching foreign-born players in MLB, it is important to show the positive policies enacted to help these players succeed once they reach the big leagues. Hopefully, the league can continue to make the game fairer for everyone.

Since MLB started building baseball camps in the Dominican Republic in the 80’s; the DR has been home for the majority of foreign-born baseball players. Foreign Dominican players are signed for much less money compared to American players, more than two times less.

Cuban dictator Fidel Castro affected many things during his 90-year life and 47-year rule as Cuba’s self-elected prime minister and president. With his death, Cubans everywhere (especially in the Florida) have been celebrating. In the streets of Little Havana, cheers were heard in the streets. Thousands sang, danced, and chanted joyously over their former leader’s death. Castro had affected all of Cuba for almost five decades. He controlled Cuba politically, economically, and in the military. Castro left a mixed legacy with way more bad than good. But, Fidel Castro may have helped baseball for the better.

Two years ago, I fled Cuba because of that Castro guy. He was powerful and untrustworthy. I wasn’t confident in him to be in control of my country. So, I fought back with 1,400 other Cuban exiles.

baseball could sign up on black teams only. These teams were poorly financed, and their