The Growing Diversity of the Red Sox

, the 19-year-old switch-hitting Cuban infielder/outfielder, will officially become a member of the Boston Red Sox sometime this week and I can’t wait to see him play. I’m anxious to see Rusney Castillo start the season with Boston. Actually, I’m looking forward to seeing anything other than snow.

Baseball is still regarded as the “National Pastime” in name only. The country is football-obsessed throughout the year. However unlike American football, millions of fans still attend baseball games not just in the US, but all over the world.

Professional sports are now truly big-time international business

The NFL is expanding its tentacles into Europe; the NBA reaches into locations like China; and professional soccer keeps trying to become the fifth major sport in North America. But baseball still holds a unique position in that Major League Baseball is the elite league in the world and the best players throughout the world seek entry into this exclusive fraternity.

Last season, there were 224 players born outside the U.S. (26.3 percent) on the 2014 Opening Day 25-man rosters and inactive lists. Of the 853 players (750 active 25-man roster players and 103 disabled or restricted Major League players) on March 30, 2014 rosters, 16 countries and territories outside the U.S. were represented, the highest total since 16 countries were also represented in 2008. The Texas Rangers by themselves opened with 15 players from nine different countries.

In 2014, the Dominican Republic led with 83 players born outside the United States. Venezuela ranked second with 59 players, Cuba was third with 19 players, followed by Puerto Rico (11); Canada (10); Japan (9), Mexico (9); Curaçao (5); Colombia (4); Panama (4); Nicaragua (3); Australia (2); South Korea (2); Taiwan (2); Brazil (1 – Indians catcher Yan Gomes, who became the first Brazilian-born player on an Opening Day roster). Aruba had one as well, Xander Bogaerts who was the first player from Aruba to make an Opening Day roster since Sidney Ponson of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007.

How terrific is that?

Very.

What about the 2015 Red Sox?

The $63 million investment in Cuban Yoan Moncado follows the seven-year, $72.5 million deal the Sox inked with Cuban Rusney Castillo. They are examples of Ben Cherington putting his money where his mouth is when he says, “You can’t have enough great players.” What he neglected to add is, “no matter where they are from.”

As of February 24, on the Red Sox 40-man roster the countries represented are Aruba (1- Xander), Cuba (1 – Rusney), Jamaica (1- Justin Masterson, yes mon, Justin was born in Kingston), Puerto Rico (1 – Christian Vazquez), Japan (2 – Junichi Tazawa, Koji Uehara), Dominican Republic (3 – David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez, Alexi Ogando), Venezuela (4 – Pablo Sandoval, Edward Mujica, Edwin Escobar, Eduardo Rodriguez), and the United States (27 players).

Compare Red Sox 40-man rosters in the past

2015 – US (27 players) plus seven countries (13 players)
2005 – US (29 players) plus five countries (11 players)
1995 – US (33 players) plus five countries (7 players)
1990 – US (37 players) plus three countries (3 players)
1985 – US (37 players) plus three countries (3 players)
1980 – US (36 players) plus four countries (4 players)
1970 – US (36 players) plus two countries (4 players)
1966 – US (37 players) plus three countries (3 players) – the first year of the 40-man roster

A final thought

Baseball is always trying to improve the All-Star Game.

Not a bad idea.

One suggestion is U.S. versus The World.

Bad idea.

This world is filled with enough discord. The World Baseball Classic is the battle for country supremacy. Let’s allow MLB to proudly embrace its diversity and not create fictitious rivalries, we have enough of the real thing these days.