Conclusion
The representation of Latino athletes in the MLB has progressed as the population of these athletes has increased over time, but the struggles that arise with the transition of the international players persist. It is clear that there are cultural conflicts that can separate groups of athletes and lead to hardships, but this same mixture of different cultural influences can serve as a source of diversity for teams that have historically lacked multiplicity. While there are social aspects that serve to fuel a sense of marginalization amongst Latino players in particular, a very direct reason that may contribute to the feeling of incompatibility may be the system of sanctions in countries such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic, where players like Gurriel, Escobar, and Sosa come from. Reports on sanctions in the Cuban leage show that “sanctions to Cuban baseball players have been related to two main causes, violent physical aggressions to other players or superiors, or due to political reasons, when some players had tried to leave the country signing with foreign clubs, which is considered a political treason by Cuban authorities.” This means that on a higher level, Latino players are not accustomed to being held accountable for public actions or conduct that is considered culturally inappropriate. Instead, it seems as though potential misbehaviors are expected to be kept private, another culture shock that these athletes struggle adjusting to.
However, these obstacles that Latinos often face does not make inevitable the trajectory of their career. Reaching the Major Leagues in and of itself is an incredible accomplishment, and many of these athletes who encounter the cultural challenges are some of the best to ever play the game. The solution to this dilemma is not clear. The problem does not derive from the baseball league, but rather from the differing culture; And ultimately, the best way to handle these issues is by shedding light on them and giving the perceived victims of my claim of unmerited disadvantage a voice. Latino athletes surely deserve the acknowledgment of the recurring conflict, and with greater representation, future encounters will be more easily talked about, understood, and dealt with.
