There is still plenty of diversity in MLB on Opening Day.
International Diversity is thriving throughout Major League Baseball. MLB reported that 251 of 882 player on Opening Day rosters, injured lists and the restricted list were born in a country other than the U.S, coming out to 28.5 percent, slightly down from last year, and fifth highest in MLB history.
Despite having three less international players in the league this year than last, there is still a huge international presence in baseball.
This season marks the first time a country besides the United States, the Dominican Republic, had 102 players in the major leagues on Opening Day, the first time there more than 100 players from one nation other than the U.S. Some examples of notable active players from the DR are Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols, New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano and Texas Rangers outfielder Nomar Mazara.
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There has always been a large Dominican presence in MLB, but it continues to grow. Vteerans like Pujols and Cano have paved the way for dozens of aspiring Dominican baseball players.
Venezuela was second with 69 players, then Cuba with 19. Puerto Rico, not a country but a U.S. territory, has 18 active players, the only other location with more than ten players.
With 20 countries being represented, this is the second-highest total, behind last year’s 21 nations.
With 14 apiece, the Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates lead the way with the most international players, a majority of their team.
Other teams with more than 10 players born outside the United States are the Chicago White Sox, the Miami Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays.
Major League Baseball is one of the most renowned international sports organizations in the world because of its ability to engage with other countries and scout players from all over the world. It is clearly shown that talent can be discovered all over the globe.