Description
Book SynopsisExamines the history of MLB's presence and influence in the Dominican Republic, and the development of the booming industry and academies, and the dependence on Dominican player developers, known as buscones. This book addresses issues of identity fraud and the use of performance - enhancing drugs as hopefuls seek to play professionally.
Trade Review"Once again, Klein contributes to our understanding of baseball's expanded territorial appeal, this time through an exploration of Dominican ballplayers, leagues, and agents... Klein's discussion of youth amateurs, buscones (trainers), and baseball academies is smartly and fairly delivered. So, too, are the nuanced biographical treatments of figures ranging from Enrique Soto, the buscon credited with discovering Miguel Tejada, to former MLB pitcher Ramon Martinez, who has established his own well-regarded baseball academy, and Astin Jacobo Jr., a public representative for independent player developers... VERDICT A significant study that provides both a micro- and macroexplication of baseball's impact on the Dominican Republic and the island nation's impact on the sport." - Library Journal
Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction 1 Thinking about the Global Commodity Chain 2 The Rise of the Academy System 3 A Nation of Buscones 4 Astín Jacobo and the “New Dominicans” 5 Demonizing Dominicans 6 “It Felt like the Marines All Over Again”: The Battle for Dominican Baseball Conclusion Notes Index
