America's Game?

Takeover.

“There’s two ways off the island, either by swinging the bat, or by throwing a ball.”

- from the movie Sugar (2008)

I’m sure by now you’re realizing that “America’s game” is becoming less and less American each year.   Latinos/Hispanics make up about 15% of the U.S. population but almost a third of all Major League baseball players and the best players are more likely to be named Rodriguez than Smith.  It has very little to do with natural talent or ability and if you watch the movie Sugar, you will know why.  Being born in

DR or speaking Spanish does not translate into home runs or strikeouts. While baseball was busy being America’s “pastime”, “beisbol” to Latinos is viewed as their only escape from extreme poverty.   It’s simply impossible to compete with someone who doesn’t have college or a career to fall back on.  In order to “make it” you have to eat and sleep a sport, travel to a foreign country, live off a few thousand dollars a year (while sending some back to your struggling family) and still have to compete with thousands of others that are just as good with just as much to lose.  Its as if you bet your whole future on a winning lottery ticket.  So when you see Albert Pujols, understand that he isn’t the best because he’s 6’3” or has a special gift, it’s because since birth, baseball was literally life and death and he was willing to sacrifice and deal with more than you or I to get to the top… 

But, I understood the struggle way before I saw Sugar.  Why?

“Cuz the streets are a short stop/ either you slingin’ crack rock, or you got a wicked jump shot.”

- “Things Done Changed”, The Notorious B.I.G. (1995)

I’m a black kid from Queens, NYC and like many inner city neighborhoods in the U.S., black boys feel that their only way to escape the “hood” is with a basketball.  Yes black players currently dominate the NBA but it isn’t because of their skin color or any other genetic trait – it’s their story.  I don’t have to know who the guy is but I can guess that if he’s an all-star, he’s probably from a rough, low to low middle class neighborhood, from a broken home and has felt that basketball was his meal ticket since he was 11.    Its not that the white guy is less athletic than black people its that he can’t possibly put the same level of pressure to succeed on himself spend every waking hour playing basketball against people who are just as hungry and dedicated.  If you want your child to succeed in music, put him in Julliard if you want him to play for the Lakers put him in the hood.  And if you want him to have a low ERA, move to the Dominican Republic shortly after he’s born, give up all of your money and forget that you know how to speak English…

Then you might have a lottery ticket.  Good luck.

**Similar examples: High School Football players in Texas, Canadian Hockey players**