MLB’s Latino players since 1900
To look at a Major League roster these days is to witness how far Latinos have come since the start of the 20th century, when only a handful of players (mostly white Cubans) were in the bigs. Now, nearly 30% were either born in Latin America or have Hispanic backgrounds. Here's a list, by country, of all Latino players since 1900 — 1,928 through the 2019 season. Brazil (5) Colombia (24) Cuba (212) Dominican Republic (772) Honduras (2) Nicaragua (15) Panama (63) Mexico (132)
The day Michael Pineda got into a sticky situation
The Yankees waited a long time to reap the fruits of their controversial 2012 trade for pitcher Michael Pineda, and when the strapping, 6’7” righty finally made his Yankee debut two years later after a raft of injuries, it looked like New York had itself a future ace in the making. That is, until Pineda got caught with his hand – and neck – in the pine tar jar. Pineda was 23 and coming off a solid rookie season in 2011 for the Mariners, one that included a selection to the All-Star game when the Yankees traded power-hitting catching prospect
Caribbean Series — Serie del Caribe — is a true international showcase
By Beto Villa and Robert Dominguez Unlike the World Series in the U.S. every October, the Caribbean Series — Serie del Caribe — is a true international tournament that each winter pits the top teams representing six Latin American countries to determine a champion after a round-robin set of six games. Not to mention showcase a wealth of talent by players born outside the U.S. The tournament, which started in 1949, typically features teams from leagues in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Cuba and Panama. The 2020 games in San Juan, Puerto Rico, included Colombia for the first
STAR SPOTLIGHT: Luis Arraez, 2022-23 AL, NL batting champ
It’s almost a shame Aaron Judge had a once-in-a-lifetime season in 2022 highlighted by slamming 62 homers. The Yankee right-fielder’s quest to break the AL single-season home run record — while vying for a rare triple crown — completely overshadowed the accomplishments of Luis Arraez. The then-Twins infielder hit .316, enough to win the American League batting title — and prevent Judge, the runner-up with .311, from achieving the first triple crown since Miguel Cabrera in 2012. Then Arraez did it again in 2023. After a shocking trade to the Miami Marlins, he hit a Major League-leading .354, becoming only
ICON: Bernie Williams
There may have been bigger names in the New York Yankees’ lineups of the late 1990s dynasty, but those four World Series rings in five years wouldn’t have happened without Bernie Williams, the Bombers’ switch-hitting, smooth fielding centerfielder. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Williams began his Yankees career in 1991 at 22 years old and became a regular two years later as he led the charge of young players finally being given a chance to prove themselves in the Majors with an organization hardly known for its patience in developing young talent. He established himself as one of the
PICTORIAL: Baseball in the Dominican Republican has a long and proud history
The influx of players from the Dominican Republic in recent years has certainly changed the face of the Major Leagues, but professional ball goes back more than 100 years in the baseball-crazy country. The following vintage photos — culled from the archives of famed Dominican baseball historian Emilio “Cuqui” Cordova, who died March 7 at age 90 — are a rare look back at the history of the game in the D.R., which fielded some great teams and boasted countless excellent players, many of whom would have been MLB stars if not for the color barrier. And much like
STAR SPOTLIGHT: Nolan Arenado
The 2023 season has so far been a bad time for a very good player. Nolan Arenado, the Cardinals’ superstar third-baseman, has been in an uncharacteristic and extended slump all year — made all the more glaring by the fact St. Louis is off to one of its worst starts ever. Arenado has fallen short of his typical MVP-like performances on both offense and defense. He’s had seven straight years (not including the pandemic shortened 2020 season) with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs, and he’s won 10 straight Gold Gloves — one for every year he’s been
ICON: Mike Cuellar
To call Mike Cuellar one of the greatest pitchers in Baltimore Orioles history is saying a lot, considering how the Birds’ powerful pitching staff was the backbone of the team’s American League dominance in the late 1960s and early ‘70s. The native of Las Villas, Cuba, was a force on the mound during his era despite a slow start to his major league career, however. He made his debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 1959 at age 22, then spent the next four years floundering in the minors. A trade to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964 — Cuellar was
