Latino Baseball
Latin America has played a prominent role in the history of baseball. In July 2015, our colleagues at the NPR show Latino USA devoted a special episode to baseball and the past, present and future of the Latin American influence on the sport. Only A Game aired a segment from that program. The links below include that feature and all of own stories and interviews about Latinos in baseball.
Béisbol En Cuba: A Tool For Diplomacy?
With tensions thawing between the U.S. and Cuba, baseball is being used to bridge the gap between the two nations. Bill Littlefield talked with Penn State professor John Affleck about...
Aroldis Chapman's Uncertain Future
Baseball’s winter meetings have seen various players change teams. Aroldis Chapman is not among them, though he was supposed to be. Bill Littlefield has since turned his attention to Chapman's...
Latino Players Blurred MLB's Color Line Before Robinson's Debut
Our colleagues at NPR's program Latino USA have produced an episode devoted to Latin America's influence on the game of baseball. We present their story of how Latin American players...
'Molina' Remembers A Father Who Raised Three World Series Champs
Bengie Molina played in the Major Leagues from 1998 until 2010. His brothers Jose and Yadier have also had pro careers. Bengie joined Bill Littlefield to discuss his new book,...
In 'Cuba Straits,' Doc Ford Series Takes The Diamond
The 22nd book in Randy Wayne White’s Doc Ford Series includes a fictional character who attempts to smuggle a Cuban baseball player into the U.S. The author joins Bill Littlefield...
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'Dominican Baseball' Illuminates Relationship Between MLB And Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic supplies the largest number of foreign players to Major League Baseball. In 'Dominican Baseball,' Alan Klein details the relationship between MLB and the country. He joins Bill...
Baseball Camp Offers Nicaraguan Children Hope
For one week, a youth baseball camp in Nicaragua gives kids a glimpse of a better future, while teaching them confidence and teamwork. Only A Game's Ken Shulman has the...
Softball Opens Door For Cubans' Visit to U.S.
A Massachusetts slow-pitch, senior softball league has been sending teams to Cuba for exhibition games since 2009. But this year, for the first time, a Cuban team received permission to...
Baseball's Miñoso Still Upbeat, Still Hopeful
Minnie Miñoso is the only major leaguer to play in five decades. Now, the White Sox great, who many consider to be the Latino Jackie Robinson, is waiting to see...
'Cuban Star' By Adrian Burgos, Jr.
In his book Cuban Star Adrian Burgos Jr. tells Pompez' story, and highlights the complex and fascinating life that Alex Pompez lived.
Raceball: How the Major Leagues Colonized the Black and Latin Game
In his new book, Raceball, University of Pittsburgh historian Rob Ruck writes that “the globalization” of the sport once known as America’s pastime “has come at the expense of baseball...