The Power of Baseball and Role Models in Latin America Essay -- Sociol

The Power of Baseball and Role Models in Latin America In many countries around the world, the socioeconomic problem is so bad that they are granted the title of a Third World country. Countries that are not quite as bad, such as most Latin American countries like Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, often have trouble, on a smaller level, of creating jobs and job security for its people to inspire work ethic and incentive to raise the socioeconomic bar that has been set below average. Sometimes, all it takes is a role model; a person who is from that respective country who has made a name for themself of continental proportion to inspire the rest of the country to fight against the low standard that has been acquired. This paper will discuss how in Latin America, the people of these countries have found hope and incentive to work through the hardship and hard work of certain professional baseball players that had either defected or were lucky enough to work their way into the American professional baseball system. Because these players have struck gold on such an enormous level, a global level, they have given the poorer and disadvantaged people of their country a reason to fight to make their situation better. These players have given back considerably to their communities and their countries which makes them the role models they are today. Puerto Rico â€Å"Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth of the United States and is not subject to the imposition of tax levies by the continental United States except for Social Security, workman’s compensation and several additional labor benefits† (Sennholz). So, the apparent question is, why is Puerto Rico such a poor country? To be perfectly honest, their lack of... ...it to the U.S. and pursue a career in baseball and then even further on to jobs that even entail coaching and managing, are the kind of role models who stand out in these Latin American countries and are the reason baseball is continually embraced there today. These role models send the right message back home and have and will continue to be role models to not only their home country, but to many others throughout the world for their dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Works Cited Ender, Eric. â€Å"Cuban Baseball: The Road to the Majors,† www.espn.com. 2 Feb. 2000. Accessed site: 30 May 2003. Paese, Gabriella. â€Å"Injuries Sideline 5 Puerto Ricans in the Major Leagues,† Puerto Rican Herald. 19 Apr. 2002. Accessed site: 1 June 2003. Sennholz, Hanz. â€Å"El Pasatiempo Nacional,† www.puertoricobaseball.com/baseballnotes/. 3 July 2001. Accessed site: 2 June 2003.