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July 11, 2005
The Inter-National Pastime
Although some have nit-picked about the selections, Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby exhibition in Detroit is clear evidence of baseball’s growth and popularity across the globe. Maybe the International Olympic Committee (which dropped baseball as an Olympic sport last week) doesn’t see it that way, but it’s true.
Baseball, more than the other major US sports, draws its talent from an international talent pool. It’s been happening for almost 50 years, and is so commonplace that it’s routine.
Just look at three local teams. The 40-man rosters for the Dodgers, Angels and Padres include players from the US, Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Australia.
Last week, the Dodgers were in Denver to play the Colorado Rockies. Late in the game, Chin-Feng Chen pinch-hit for Hee Seop Choi. It happened on the Fourth of July … and that’s pretty good evidence that the National Pastime is really an international game.
Posted by Nick Roman at 9:26 PM
