The San Francisco Giants have long been recognized for their diversity. As the first Major League Baseball (MLB) team to establish a talent pipeline from Latin America, the Giants saw a significant influx of Latinx players during the 60s. Stars like Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal, and the Alou brothers became household names, building a legacy for the next generation of Latinx talent.
Today, the Giants’ roster features a significant number of Latinx players, specifically those with Caribbean roots. Joel Peguero, Jerar Encarnación, and Rafael Devers, all from the Dominican Republic, are just a few examples. More than 10 percent of all MLB players are of Dominican origin, the highest among foreign-born MLB players.
Baseball first emerged in the United States in the mid-1800s, before eventually spreading to the Dominican Republic. In the 1860s, a group of Cuban students who had attended college in the United States introduced the game to Havana, which quickly gained popularity among the Cuban upper class. Quickly, the game’s popularity spread throughout Cuba to the working class, making baseball an important part of Cuba’s identity.
During the 10 Years War, many Cubans fled the island, settling in the Dominican Republic and other nearby regions. Once baseball was introduced to Santo Domingo, it took off quickly. Over time, the Caribbean became a hub for baseball talent. “I’ve been to the Dominican Republic (and) Cuba, and if you go there, it’s obvious that baseball is a big part of their lives,” Miles Mino, a senior baseball player at Berkeley High School, said. BHS junior and baseball player Gabriel Gonzalez echoed this sentiment and said, “Baseball is very big in a lot of Latinx countries, and I think it brings a lot of culture.”
In the 1950s, the Giants formally established the first MLB talent pipeline from the Dominican Republic, which was largely led by scout Alex Pompez, who was one of the first Black Cuban American executives in the MLB. He recognized talent in many Caribbean players, and his efforts helped diversify the Giants’ baseball team.
For young Latinx baseball players today, both the legacy and current success of Latinx players in the MLB serve as a powerful source of motivation and hope. These Caribbean athletes have fulfilled the need for diverse role models. “I think it’s very inspiring,” BHS junior and baseball player Julian Adorador said, “It shows people of my race can make it in the Major League.”