The American Dream - Latinos and Baseball

Introduction
Rene De Visme Williamson said, “if the American Dream is for Americans only, it will remain our dream and never be our destiny (American Dream Famous Quotations). We have to open our eyes and see that the American Dream is a valuable intangible item. People from all around the world want to come here to have what Americans can earn. This dream is now something that other people who are not American can have, and we are able to share our dream with others. One way is through the American pastime of baseball. Jane Juffer wrote, “Latino and Latin American baseball players have expanded the boundaries of the "American pastime," asserting their ethnic and national identities even while being accepted as representatives of the sport most closely aligned with a white United States identity (Juffer).” An Unrealized Accomplishment
When one thinks of minorities it isn’t just limited to African Americans, it also includes Latinos, Asians, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islanders, etc. When people think of racial barriers and the first minority to succeed in Major League Baseball, most people think of Jackie Robinson. When Jackie Robinson “integrated” baseball in 1947, “racial and ethnic minorities began to enter the major leagues with some regularity” (Gonzalez, 187). This is a wonderful thought, but however many Latinos also broke the racial barrier. Hispanics like Luis Castro began to play in the major leagues well before Jackie Robinson was born in 1919.
Pioneer Latino and Hispanic Players
In 1902 the earliest Latino players in Major League Baseball from 1902 opened doors for future players. Players like Luis Castro, the first Latin American to play in the big leagues, was “an infielder who played in 42 games with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1902” (Latinos in MLB). Next came Rafael Almeida an infielder, and Armando Marsan, an outfielder who played in 1911. Two all star players of this year were pitcher Adolfo Luque, and catcher Miguel Angel Gonzalez. Luque played with the Boston Braves for 20 years. Miguel Gonzalez was the first Latin American to manage in the big leagues, and he was in charge of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938 and 1940. Mel Almada was the first Mexican in the majors and played for the Boston Red Sox starting in 1933 and continuing with them for 6 more years. Hiram Bithorn was the first Puerto Rican to play with the Chicago Cubs in 1942. Alejandro Carrasquel pitched for the Washington Senators as the first Venezuelan pitcher in 1939.
The 1950s was a great decade for Latin Americans. Orestes Minoso, a Cuban outfielder, was the first baseball player that played in five different decades. Alejandro Carrasquel was the first Latin American to play in the All-Star game. He was voted the Most Valuable Player in the American League with 1,213,774 votes from fans. “It was a dream come true, but I wasn’t nervous. Playing every day got me acclimated, and I was psychologically prepared for special moments like this one. The choice didn’t surprise me, either. I was aware of my qualifications for the game, and by now my talent was recognized by everyone,” said Carrasquel Beto Avila averaged over .300 in 1952 and over .341 in 1954 which earned him the American League Batting Crown, a great achievement for him to be the first Hispanic to win this honor. Avila helped the Cleveland Indians win 111 games that season, but after he left the team, the Indians never won the pennant again and Avila never batted over .300 again. Aparicio led the league in steals in his first nine seasons, an achievement no other player had achieved.
The 1960s brought even more achievements. Puerto Rican, Roberto Clemente was signed with the Dodgers but was sold to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1961 where he earned four batting crowns. Over the course of his career he had over three thousand hits, a batting average of .317, and a place in the Hall of Fame. These are only a few examples of the Latino players that led the way for players today. President Obama says that, “in a generous America you don’t have to be rich to achieve your potential,”(25 Barack Obama Quotes) and through their hard work they provided a path for the players today to achieve that potential President Obama spoke of.
What This Means Today
When Americans think of baseball they often times think of people such as Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Derek Jeter, and Barry Bonds, but the Latino pioneers have opened doors for the present day Latino players. A monumental milestone was in the 2003 season when 275 players were from: Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Panama ("Latinos in MLB"). The 2009 season was a phenomenal season for Latino players. Houston Astros’ Ivan Rodriguez had 2,227 games as a catcher by June 17, 2009, which eclipsed the record set by Carlton Fisk for the most games caught in MLB history. On June 25, 2009 Omar Vizquel became Venezuela’s all time hits leader with 2,678 hit thus far in his career, which surpassed Luis Aparicio who was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Yankees closer Mariano River became the second pitcher to break the 500 save mark ever and he also hit his first career RBI (Runs Batted In). Jonathan Sanchez tossed his first complete career game in the majors and pitched a no-hitter on July 10th. New York Met’s, Johan Santana was named Venezuela’s all-time winning pitcher and finished that season with 122 career wins, trailed by Freddy Garcia with 121 victories on Venezuela’s list. Manny Ramirez, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, hit his 21st career grand slam on July 22nd. Francisco Rodriguez made his 238th career save on September 6, 2009. Hanley Ramirez became the 4th National League shortstop to win a batting title, and ended the 2009 season with a .342 batting average. Alex Rodriguez set an American League record of 7 RBIs in one inning with a three run homer and a grand slam on October 14th. This is his 12th consecutive season with 30 homers and 100 RBIs and he tied this record with Jimmie Foxx (1929-1940). In the 2009 season many records were broken and numerous accomplishments were made.
A Latino’s American Dream
“Every morning, sports pages and websites tell of the accomplishments of Latino athletes. Once a modest presence in U.S. sports, Latinos are now a force, affecting not only the scores and the record books but also the way games are played, consumed, and marketed. (Sports Illustrated)” Baseball is said to be America’s favorite pastime. Baseball is an event the whole family can enjoy. It is the most affordable sport to watch compared to the cost of tickets for the NBA, NFL, and the NHL. There are more and more talented Latinos playing baseball each year. Latino fans are able to hold on to and be proud that their race is finally being represented in an American sport, and they feel a connection. They are able to say, “Yes Sammy Sosa is just like me, and yes Alex Rodriguez speaks the same language as me, and that Mariano Rivera looks the same as me.” They can take pride in their culture on television, magazines, newspapers, the internet, and countless other forms of media. It is a sense of pride they feel in their hearts to see their people out on the field.
“We believe that what matter most is not narrow appeals masquerading as values, but the shared values that show the true face of America; not narrow values that divide us, but the shared values that unite us: family, faith, hard work, opportunity and responsibility for all, so that every child, every adult, every parent, every worker in America has an equal shot at living up to their God-given potential. That is the American Dream and the American Value,” said Senator John Kerry ("American Dream Quotes."). Baseball embodies the values of the American Dream and also exemplifies success, hard work, teamwork, social mobility, and competition. If a player works hard then he will become a part of the team and a team player. Being on a team means competition as a team and individually. When they work as a team they will become winners, and being a winner allows for social mobility. Social mobility brings recognition to the players and to the teams that they are on, which will ultimately bring success and money.
Alex Rodriguez
Alex Emmanuel Rodriguez is a prime example of a Latino player who has made himself into the American Dream. Born to Victor and Lourdes Rodriguez on July 27, 1975 in New York. He has a sister and a brother. Their parents owned a shoe store to make a living for their family. When he was four the family moved Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic where his father ran a pharmacy. There his father was a catcher for a Dominican Minor League Baseball team. In 1983 they moved to Miami, Florida and when Alex was eight years old his parents separated, but his American Dream still continued ("About A. Rod."). His mother had to work and he went to the Boys and Girls Club after school. There he met Eddie Rodriguez, whom he is not related to, but encouraged his love for baseball. Eddie ran the baseball program and taught Alex the true fundamentals of baseball. He played for the Miami Club Team, helping them to win three city and two national championships. He then began to watch MLB on television where he became a fan of the Atlanta Brave and New York Mets.
As high school approached, his focus turned to basketball. His mother didn’t want him to play baseball anymore. His ninth grade year he attended Christopher Columbus High School where he played Varsity Men’s Basketball. As a sophomore he transferred to Westminster Christian High School where he was the star quarterback on the football team, and also played basketball. As the baseball season came around in the spring, A. Rod saw the baseball program and it sparked his interest again. He was the starting shortstop there and in his junior year he earned the All-American honor, batted .477, had 6 homeruns, 42 bases stolen, and 52 runs scored, and the team won the High School National Championship. In 1993, his senior year at Westminster, he was considered one of the top contenders in the country. That season he played in 33 games, he hit a .505, had 9 homeruns, 36 RBIs, and stole 35 bases. He was selected as the USA Baseball Junior Player of the Year and the Gatorade National Baseball Student Athlete of the Year. 1993 was a remarkable year for Rodriguez (“About A. Rod”).
Though he signed a letter of intent to play with the University of Miami team, he was the number 1 overall draft pick and signed with the Seattle Mariners on June 3, 1993 (“About A. Rod”). 1994 marked his first official season as a professional player. He was only 18 when played his first game on July 8th. That season started in 17 and played winter ball in the Dominican League. During the 1995 season with the Mariners he hit his first home run and played in the American League Division Series and the American League Championship Series. He hit .358, had 123 RBIs, and 35 home runs in 1996. He led the American League with 379 total bases, 141 runs, and 54 doubles. He was selected to play in the All Star Game for the first time, won his first American League MVP, and was named the Sporting News and Associated Press Major League Player of the Year. Alex was the first Mariner to hit for the cycle in a 9 inning game, he was voted to start in the All Star Game as the American League shortstop. He was awarded his second American League Silver Slugger Award in 1998 and became the third player in MLB to enter the 40-40 club, with 42 home runs and 46 bases stolen. Unfortunately in 1993 he missed 32 games from a cartilage injury, but somehow managed to win his third Silver Slugger, had 42 home runs and 111 RBIs. The 2000 season was his last season with the Mariners, but he played in his fourth All Star Game, was named the Major League Player of the Year, finished third in American League MVP voting. The next season, he played with the Texas Rangers and led both the team and the American League in home runs, runs scored, and total bases. He hit 52 homeruns, which was the record for the most runs ever by a shortstop in Major League Baseball. He was the fourth player in history to have both 50 home runs and 200 hits in one season. Once again he won the Silver Slugger, he also won the American League Hank Aaron Award, and he won his first Josh Gibson Legacy Award from the Negro League Baseball Museum. He won his sixth AL Silver Slugger, his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award, was named the MLB Player of the Year, won the MLBPA Players Choice Award, won his second AL Hank Aaron Award, and finished second in the AL MVP voting. Then in 2003, he won the AL MVP, his second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award, was the MLBPA’s Players Choice Award recipient for AL Outstanding Player, and won his third consecutive AL Hank Aaron Award, won his third Josh Gibson Legacy Award, and won his first Oscar Charleston Legacy Award. He had his eighth consecutive 100-RBI, joined Babe Ruth and Jimmie Foxx in the Hall of Fame as one of three players in MLB history to tally 35 home runs,
100 runs scored, and 100 RBIs for seven successive seasons in 2004. 2005 brought his second nomination as the AL MVP and he was the first Yankee to win the MVP award since 1985. He became the first Yankee to will the AL home run title since 1980, and he established the franchise record for the most runs in a season by a right handed batter (“About A. Rod”). As a New York Yankee he continued to win many awards between 2005 and 2009. Now, Alex Rodriguez is the highest paid play in Major League Baseball. In 2007 he signed a $275 million, ten year contract with the New York Yankees, breaking the previous record of $252 million set by him. He made $33 million for the 2009 season ("New York Yankees - ESPN"). Alex Rodriguez is a prime example of the American Dream.
Conclusion
Philosopher Jacques Barzun believed that anyone wishing to understand the heart and mind of America should study the sport of baseball, viewed by many as the national pastime. It is a sport that most children learn in school at a young age, and it is an easy game to learn and watch. People are able to relate to the game and become connected to its players. Latinos have been and will continue to be a growing race in the MLB and who knows what the future will hold for their success. The Hispanic fan base continues to grow and brings more fans to MLB. Soon enough, America and Major League Baseball will realize the impact this culture has on the history of baseball.
Works Cited
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Stewart, Wayne. Alex Rodriguez A Biography (Greenwood Biographies). New York: Greenwood, 2007. Print.
Yiannakis, Andrew, and Merrill Melnick. Contemporary Issues in Sociology of Sport. Kendall/Hunt Company, 1993. Print.

Cited: "About A.Rod." AROD.com. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. . "American Dream Famous Quotations Sayings Greetings Quote Resource | Quotes Daddy | Page 2." Famous Quotes Inspirational Motivational Friendship Quote Website QuotesDaddy.com "A-Rod 's dream comes true as he arrives in New York Web. 16 Nov. 2009. . Briley, Ronald. "Baseball and American Cultural." Organization of American Historians. Web. 16 Nov. 2009. . "DEREK JETER: Dream Come True." Web Juffer, Jane. "Who 's the Man? Sammy Sosa, Latinos, and Televisual Redefinitions of the "American" Pastime"" Journal of Sports & Social Issues 26.4 (2002): 337+. Print. "Latinos in MLB." Latino Baseball "New York Yankees - ESPN." ESPN: The Worldwide Leader In Sports. 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. . "New York Yankees - ESPN." ESPN: The Worldwide Leader In Sports "New York Yankees - ESPN." ESPN: The Worldwide Leader In Sports. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. . Stewart, Wayne Yiannakis, Andrew, and Merrill Melnick. Contemporary Issues in Sociology of Sport. Kendall/Hunt Company, 1993. Print.