From Nemesio to Moncada: Major League Baseball and the Development of a Baseball Identity in Latin America

Abstract

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the world, and it has grown to be the most popular sport in a number of Latin American countries. However, that was not always the case. Through this paper, I am doing a study of the growth of baseball in Latin American countries such as the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba and others. Due to the abundance of talent in the region, Major League Baseball has established training facilities and a definitive scouting presence in Latin American countries. I trace the development of baseball through the present day. Through research as well as interviews with knowledgeable sources, this article will give a modern day working approach to studying baseball players in and from the region.