The Dominican Republic Sports & Education Academy (DRSEA), Inc. is sad to report the passing of Robert Ingram, a former Advisory Board Member of the DRSEA. He will be greatly missed.
Ozzie Virgil Sr, first Dominican MLB player, dies at 92
The man who opened the door to MLB for all Latin players, playing for the New York Giants and Philadelphia Phillies has passed away at the age of 92.
Ozzie Virgil Sr., the man who first carried the Dominican Republic into Major League Baseball, has passed away at 92. His name might not echo through the years the way some do, but his impact on the game - and on the players who followed him - runs deep. Born Osvaldo Virgil in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic, he moved to the Bronx as a child, where baseball eventually became more than just a pastime.
After high school in New York and a stint in the Marines from 1950 to 1952, Virgil embarked on a baseball career that spanned 17 years, nine of which were in the majors. He made his debut on September 23, 1956, playing third base for the New York Giants in a game against the Phillies. That moment was more than just the beginning of a new player’s journey - it was a crack in the door for future Dominican and Latin American ballplayers.
Juan Soto said it best last year: “He was the first Dominican coming to the big leagues and opened the doors for a lot of Dominicans - and not only Dominicans, for all Latin players.” It’s true. Before players like Pedro Martínez, David Ortiz, and Soto himself, there was Ozzie, setting the stage, facing the unknowns and the pressures of being the first.
In those early days, Virgil wasn’t a superstar. His numbers - a .231 batting average with 14 home runs over 324 games - don’t tell the full story. He played wherever he was needed: third base, shortstop, catcher, you name it. The positions he covered made him a reliable presence, and his versatility helped him stick around on rosters when times were tough. But it was his quiet perseverance that made the real difference.
After hanging up his cleats as a player, Virgil transitioned into coaching, spending nearly two decades in the dugout from 1968 to 1988. He found his way back to the Giants and also worked with the Expos, Padres, and Mariners. He served as third base coach under Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams, cementing his place in baseball beyond the playing field.
His legacy didn’t end with him. Virgil’s son, Ozzie Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps and carved out his own solid career, playing for the Phillies, Braves, and Blue Jays. He even made two All-Star appearances in 1985 and 1987, a rare father-son connection in baseball history.
Ozzie Sr.’s influence stretched further than his own family, though. As the first Dominican-born player in Major League Baseball, he carried the weight of his country’s hopes and dreams on his shoulders. That pressure could have crushed some, but Virgil shouldered it with quiet grace. And in doing so, he lit the path for the wave of Latin American talent that would soon flood the league.
There are moments in baseball that live in memory not because of the numbers or the records, but because they signify a change, a turning of the page. Virgil’s first game in 1956 was one of those moments. He might not have been the loudest name in the box scores, but to generations of Dominican and Latin players, he was a pioneer.
Ozzie Virgil Sr.’s passing is a reminder of where it all began for so many, of how one man’s journey paved the way for others to follow, even if the road wasn’t always easy. And that, more than anything, might just be his greatest legacy.
WRITTEN BY: Jeffrey May
FROM: https://en.as.com/mlb/ozzie-virgil-sr-first-dominican-mlb-player-dies-at-92-n/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFmk7dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHe5s9W6ofskayBvb5Ho7BiSkyOc-zdavxXq3rfN8Tnj4F5PjNCZdpxUnzw_aem_iOpkNPIWHNoVM9-NUTYVxA&sfnsn=wa
After high school in New York and a stint in the Marines from 1950 to 1952, Virgil embarked on a baseball career that spanned 17 years, nine of which were in the majors. He made his debut on September 23, 1956, playing third base for the New York Giants in a game against the Phillies. That moment was more than just the beginning of a new player’s journey - it was a crack in the door for future Dominican and Latin American ballplayers.
Juan Soto said it best last year: “He was the first Dominican coming to the big leagues and opened the doors for a lot of Dominicans - and not only Dominicans, for all Latin players.” It’s true. Before players like Pedro Martínez, David Ortiz, and Soto himself, there was Ozzie, setting the stage, facing the unknowns and the pressures of being the first.
In those early days, Virgil wasn’t a superstar. His numbers - a .231 batting average with 14 home runs over 324 games - don’t tell the full story. He played wherever he was needed: third base, shortstop, catcher, you name it. The positions he covered made him a reliable presence, and his versatility helped him stick around on rosters when times were tough. But it was his quiet perseverance that made the real difference.
After hanging up his cleats as a player, Virgil transitioned into coaching, spending nearly two decades in the dugout from 1968 to 1988. He found his way back to the Giants and also worked with the Expos, Padres, and Mariners. He served as third base coach under Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams, cementing his place in baseball beyond the playing field.
His legacy didn’t end with him. Virgil’s son, Ozzie Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps and carved out his own solid career, playing for the Phillies, Braves, and Blue Jays. He even made two All-Star appearances in 1985 and 1987, a rare father-son connection in baseball history.
Ozzie Sr.’s influence stretched further than his own family, though. As the first Dominican-born player in Major League Baseball, he carried the weight of his country’s hopes and dreams on his shoulders. That pressure could have crushed some, but Virgil shouldered it with quiet grace. And in doing so, he lit the path for the wave of Latin American talent that would soon flood the league.
There are moments in baseball that live in memory not because of the numbers or the records, but because they signify a change, a turning of the page. Virgil’s first game in 1956 was one of those moments. He might not have been the loudest name in the box scores, but to generations of Dominican and Latin players, he was a pioneer.
Ozzie Virgil Sr.’s passing is a reminder of where it all began for so many, of how one man’s journey paved the way for others to follow, even if the road wasn’t always easy. And that, more than anything, might just be his greatest legacy.
WRITTEN BY: Jeffrey May
FROM: https://en.as.com/mlb/ozzie-virgil-sr-first-dominican-mlb-player-dies-at-92-n/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFmk7dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHe5s9W6ofskayBvb5Ho7BiSkyOc-zdavxXq3rfN8Tnj4F5PjNCZdpxUnzw_aem_iOpkNPIWHNoVM9-NUTYVxA&sfnsn=wa
Albert Pujols Announced As Manager of Leones del Escogido
Winter is approaching, and it will be here before we even know it. As teams prepare for the upcoming LIDOM season, the Leones del Escogido announced their coaching staff, headlined by manager Albert Pujols.
He will be joined on the staff by former big leaguer Placido Polanco as his bench coach, Felipe Rojas Jr., Tony Diaz, Jairo Cuevas, Alex Concepcion, former MLB reliever Edwar Ramirez, Jorge Mejia, Rene Rojas, Israel Alcantara, MLB veteran infielder Jose Vizcaino, Hector de la Cruz, and four more catching coaches.
Pujols, born in the Dominican Republic, landed his first managerial gig after hanging up the spikes. Since his retirement, Pujols has stayed busy, working as a special assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred, an on-air analyst at MLB Network, and now he’ll get to manage in a league he grew up watching.
Also joining Pujols on his staff is veteran infielder Placido Polanco. Becoming one of Pujols’ close friends during his career, Polanco will serve as his bench coach this winter. The 16-year veteran played his career with the Cardinals, Phillies, Tigers, and Marlins, making the All-Star Game twice, and also won three gold gloves. This will be Polanco’s first coaching gig as well.
Another former MLB reliever Pujols selected for his staff is Edwar Ramirez. He will serve as the bullpen coach. Ramirez pitched for the Yankees and Athletics for four seasons. In his career, he tallied a 7-2 record, posting a 5.19 ERA in 103 relief appearances. He has been a pitching coach with the Yankees Dominican Summer League team since 2019.
And rounding out the former MLB players on Pujols’ staff is former infielder Jose Vizcaino. Vizcaino will be the first base coach. The 18-year veteran began his career in 1989 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and played in the Cubs, Mets, Guardians, Giants, Yankees, and Cardinals organizations. He has been a Special Assistant of Baseball Operations in the Dodgers organization since 2008.
With Pujols announcing his staff, we will see how other teams in the LIDOM will prepare for their respective seasons by adding new faces and coaches into the fold. It will be fun to watch Pujols this winter and see if he can lead the Leones del Escogido to the Series del Caribe.
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WBN LIDOM: https://worldbaseball.com/league/dominican-republic/
Photo Credit: Albert Pujols acknowledges the crowd ahead of the 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
He will be joined on the staff by former big leaguer Placido Polanco as his bench coach, Felipe Rojas Jr., Tony Diaz, Jairo Cuevas, Alex Concepcion, former MLB reliever Edwar Ramirez, Jorge Mejia, Rene Rojas, Israel Alcantara, MLB veteran infielder Jose Vizcaino, Hector de la Cruz, and four more catching coaches.
Pujols, born in the Dominican Republic, landed his first managerial gig after hanging up the spikes. Since his retirement, Pujols has stayed busy, working as a special assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred, an on-air analyst at MLB Network, and now he’ll get to manage in a league he grew up watching.
Also joining Pujols on his staff is veteran infielder Placido Polanco. Becoming one of Pujols’ close friends during his career, Polanco will serve as his bench coach this winter. The 16-year veteran played his career with the Cardinals, Phillies, Tigers, and Marlins, making the All-Star Game twice, and also won three gold gloves. This will be Polanco’s first coaching gig as well.
Another former MLB reliever Pujols selected for his staff is Edwar Ramirez. He will serve as the bullpen coach. Ramirez pitched for the Yankees and Athletics for four seasons. In his career, he tallied a 7-2 record, posting a 5.19 ERA in 103 relief appearances. He has been a pitching coach with the Yankees Dominican Summer League team since 2019.
And rounding out the former MLB players on Pujols’ staff is former infielder Jose Vizcaino. Vizcaino will be the first base coach. The 18-year veteran began his career in 1989 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and played in the Cubs, Mets, Guardians, Giants, Yankees, and Cardinals organizations. He has been a Special Assistant of Baseball Operations in the Dodgers organization since 2008.
With Pujols announcing his staff, we will see how other teams in the LIDOM will prepare for their respective seasons by adding new faces and coaches into the fold. It will be fun to watch Pujols this winter and see if he can lead the Leones del Escogido to the Series del Caribe.
____
WBN LIDOM: https://worldbaseball.com/league/dominican-republic/
Photo Credit: Albert Pujols acknowledges the crowd ahead of the 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
With love and laughs, Beltré takes his place in Hall as one of hot corner's finest
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- The first time Adrian Beltré signed up for baseball using birthday money, he just nee ded his parents to pay the monthly fee.
“The first thing my dad asked me was, ‘What position are you going to play?’” Beltre said. “I didn’t reply, I didn’t know. He said, ‘You should play second base because I don’t think you’re going to be very tall.’”
Dad was right about that. Beltré reached 5-11. But after three months , a teammate saw something in Beltré at third base. The venue at which Beltré told this story -- his induction speech in the 2024 Hall of Fame class -- proved his teammate prophetic.
“The third baseman wanted to play second base,” Beltré said. “And he said to me, ‘I think you look better at third base. We should swap positions.’ I simply said OK.”
Good thing Beltré didn’t veto the trade. It took him all the way to Cooperstown.
On the stage the same day that forever Rockie Todd Helton and forever Twin Joe Mauer were inducted as players (manager Jim Leyland also crossed into the Hall), Beltré was a more typically well-traveled star. He broke in with the Dodgers in 1998 at age 19, and took his magical defense and power hitting to the Dodgers (1998-2004), Mariners (2005-09), Red Sox (2010) and the team that enjoyed him most, the Rangers (2011-18).
This all stemmed from the freedom that a natural third baseman finds when the hot corner beckons.
“I immediately fell in love with that position,” Beltré said. “I loved every challenge of playing third base. I was hooked. Those hot shots, slow ground balls, double plays, I couldn’t get enough of them.”
Beltré gave a speech that was almost as smooth as his glove when it so often seemed to dart out and rob an opponent of a hit. Maybe he was joking, maybe not, when he said, “Please bear with me ... My English is going to get worse every day.”
Of course, Beltré nailed the speech, all the while flashing the smile that accompanied his exploits.
Beltré solidified Hall of Fame status with the Rangers. But it started long before -- with a surprise phone call.
“On June 23, 1998, when I was in Double-A, I received one of the most important calls of my life,” Beltré said. “I want to thank this legend so much for giving me the opportunity and having the guts to call this 19-year-old kid to the big leagues when nobody was expecting it, especially me. I will always be grateful to the late Tommy Lasorda."
Beltré thanked all of his clubs, but saved the most special for last. Rangers fans broke into loud cheers when he began talking about his time there.
Beltré was a good player before he got to Texas, there’s no doubt about that. He had a pair of Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger and was coming off a monster year in Boston in which he slashed .321/.365/.553.
In his eight years in Arlington, Beltré became a franchise legend, hitting .304 with an .865 OPS. He accumulated 1,277 of his 3,166 hits with the Rangers. He had six top-15 AL MVP finishes, and he was the undisputed leader of the clubhouse during some of the best years in franchise history.
Beltré finished his career with five Gold Glove Awards, two Platinum Glove Awards, four All-Star Game selections, four Silver Slugger Awards and 477 home runs.
His 93.5 bWAR ranks third among third basemen in baseball history behind Mike Schmidt (106.9) and Eddie Mathews (95.9).
“It's easy for this guy,” Rangers longtime star Michael Young said. “The one thing I loved is that Adrian didn't just show up at 7:00 and punch in, punch out. There are certain teammates that you play with and you love to play with because they really play to win.”
In his thank-yous, Beltré referred to Young as “Mr. Ranger,” and talked of friendship with Elvis Andrus, who played alongside him at shortstop, whom he called a “pain in my, ah, butt -- you wanted to catch every freaking fly ball just to help your fielding percentage.”
Beltré's No. 29 already hangs in Globe Life Field alongside the numbers of Nolan Ryan, Young, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez and Johnny Oates. Ryan and Rodriguez are both in the Hall of Fame with Rangers caps as well.
But Beltré felt that with all he gave, he received as much or more.
“Like they say, everything is bigger in Texas,” Beltré said. “You guys gave me big love.”
FROM: https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/adrian-beltre-inducted-into-baseball-hall-of-fame
“The first thing my dad asked me was, ‘What position are you going to play?’” Beltre said. “I didn’t reply, I didn’t know. He said, ‘You should play second base because I don’t think you’re going to be very tall.’”
Dad was right about that. Beltré reached 5-11. But after three months , a teammate saw something in Beltré at third base. The venue at which Beltré told this story -- his induction speech in the 2024 Hall of Fame class -- proved his teammate prophetic.
“The third baseman wanted to play second base,” Beltré said. “And he said to me, ‘I think you look better at third base. We should swap positions.’ I simply said OK.”
Good thing Beltré didn’t veto the trade. It took him all the way to Cooperstown.
On the stage the same day that forever Rockie Todd Helton and forever Twin Joe Mauer were inducted as players (manager Jim Leyland also crossed into the Hall), Beltré was a more typically well-traveled star. He broke in with the Dodgers in 1998 at age 19, and took his magical defense and power hitting to the Dodgers (1998-2004), Mariners (2005-09), Red Sox (2010) and the team that enjoyed him most, the Rangers (2011-18).
This all stemmed from the freedom that a natural third baseman finds when the hot corner beckons.
“I immediately fell in love with that position,” Beltré said. “I loved every challenge of playing third base. I was hooked. Those hot shots, slow ground balls, double plays, I couldn’t get enough of them.”
Beltré gave a speech that was almost as smooth as his glove when it so often seemed to dart out and rob an opponent of a hit. Maybe he was joking, maybe not, when he said, “Please bear with me ... My English is going to get worse every day.”
Of course, Beltré nailed the speech, all the while flashing the smile that accompanied his exploits.
Beltré solidified Hall of Fame status with the Rangers. But it started long before -- with a surprise phone call.
“On June 23, 1998, when I was in Double-A, I received one of the most important calls of my life,” Beltré said. “I want to thank this legend so much for giving me the opportunity and having the guts to call this 19-year-old kid to the big leagues when nobody was expecting it, especially me. I will always be grateful to the late Tommy Lasorda."
Beltré thanked all of his clubs, but saved the most special for last. Rangers fans broke into loud cheers when he began talking about his time there.
Beltré was a good player before he got to Texas, there’s no doubt about that. He had a pair of Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger and was coming off a monster year in Boston in which he slashed .321/.365/.553.
In his eight years in Arlington, Beltré became a franchise legend, hitting .304 with an .865 OPS. He accumulated 1,277 of his 3,166 hits with the Rangers. He had six top-15 AL MVP finishes, and he was the undisputed leader of the clubhouse during some of the best years in franchise history.
Beltré finished his career with five Gold Glove Awards, two Platinum Glove Awards, four All-Star Game selections, four Silver Slugger Awards and 477 home runs.
His 93.5 bWAR ranks third among third basemen in baseball history behind Mike Schmidt (106.9) and Eddie Mathews (95.9).
“It's easy for this guy,” Rangers longtime star Michael Young said. “The one thing I loved is that Adrian didn't just show up at 7:00 and punch in, punch out. There are certain teammates that you play with and you love to play with because they really play to win.”
In his thank-yous, Beltré referred to Young as “Mr. Ranger,” and talked of friendship with Elvis Andrus, who played alongside him at shortstop, whom he called a “pain in my, ah, butt -- you wanted to catch every freaking fly ball just to help your fielding percentage.”
Beltré's No. 29 already hangs in Globe Life Field alongside the numbers of Nolan Ryan, Young, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez and Johnny Oates. Ryan and Rodriguez are both in the Hall of Fame with Rangers caps as well.
But Beltré felt that with all he gave, he received as much or more.
“Like they say, everything is bigger in Texas,” Beltré said. “You guys gave me big love.”
FROM: https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/adrian-beltre-inducted-into-baseball-hall-of-fame
Former Houston Astros Prospect Garcia Dead at 24
Former Houston Astros pitching prospect Ronny García, along with his father, tragically lost their lives in a traffic accident on the Las Galeras-Samaná highway in Samaná, Dominican Republic. García, just 24 years old, had shown promise in his career where he played in the Astros' minor league system.
García's journey in baseball began in 2016 when he signed with Houston as a 16-year-old international prospect. Over the next seven years he pitched in various leagues and teams within the organization.
In 2021, García made his way from the Dominican Summer League Affiliates to the United States. That year, he had a 2.11 ERA between the Florida Complex League and Class-A Fayetteville. His success continued into 2022, where he allowed only one run in 18.1 innings.
Throughout his professional career, García posted a 3.42 ERA, recording nine wins and 14 saves in 122 total appearances along with 200 strikeouts in 186.2 innings. He allowed 170 hits, 71 earned runs, eight home runs and 100 walks.
"We are saddened to learn of the passing of Ronny García," wrote the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, a Carolina League team and the a Single-A affiliate of the Astros in a statement. "Ronny spent parts of three seasons with Fayetteville, always carrying a smile around the ballpark. He was a talented pitcher and a beloved teammate. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."
In February 2024, García signed with the York Revolution of the Atlantic League. His addition to the team was met with excitement from the team's manager, Rick Forney, who envisioned García as a valuable addition to the bullpen.
“He’ll be a young bullpen arm for us,” Revolution manager Rick Forney said a few months ago in an interview. “I’m excited about him. He has really good career numbers. He’s an intriguing young pitcher. I’m hoping I can get him to be more than just a one-inning guy, maybe a bridge-type guy in the sixth or seventh inning. I’m excited to get my eyes on him.”
Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of a talent gone too soon.
FROM: https://www.si.com/mlb/astros/news/former-houston-astros-prospect-garcia-dead-laura9
Five Dominican pitchers in MLB opening games
Framber Valdez
Major League Baseball announced the Dominican Republic is the country outside of the United States with the most players in the rosters of MLB season 2024 opening games in the United States.
The season officially opens on Thursday, 28 March 2024 in stadiums across the United States, but two early games will be held when the Dodgers and Padres of California play in South Korea on Wednesday and Thursday.
MLB reports that among the 11 Latin American pitchers chosen to start for their teams, five are from the Dominican Republic, thus making it the country with the highest representation.
Diario Libre has reported 31 Dominican ball players are on the rosters of the MLB teams for opening day. Only seven teams will not have Dominicans on their opening rosters.
MLB comprises 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada.
FROM: https://dr1.com/news/2024/03/21/five-dominican-pitchers-in-mlb-opening-games/
The season officially opens on Thursday, 28 March 2024 in stadiums across the United States, but two early games will be held when the Dodgers and Padres of California play in South Korea on Wednesday and Thursday.
MLB reports that among the 11 Latin American pitchers chosen to start for their teams, five are from the Dominican Republic, thus making it the country with the highest representation.
Diario Libre has reported 31 Dominican ball players are on the rosters of the MLB teams for opening day. Only seven teams will not have Dominicans on their opening rosters.
MLB comprises 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada.
FROM: https://dr1.com/news/2024/03/21/five-dominican-pitchers-in-mlb-opening-games/
Recent Events: School Supply Distribution:
Like most of the world, the Dominican Republic was hit hard by the pandemic. Schools and business
closed; the country was under curfew for months at a time, baseball came to a standstill, as did the Dominican Republic Sports & Education Academy (DRSEA). But last week, the DRSEA began its comeback, holding its first event in more than two years by distributing school supplies to a group of young baseball players that are part of Los Delfindes de Caballona, a youth foundation in Santo Domingo. “We want these kids to love baseball, but also understand the importance of education in their lives,” said Cesar Geronimo, a former player with the Cincinnati Reds and a DRSEA board member.
Much more is being planned by the DRSEA in the near future, including preparing Dominican baseball players academically for college baseball scholarships in the United States. The pandemic may have slowed the DRSEA, but the organization is getting back up on its feet. If you would like to reach out or help, please visit www.drsea.org and consider a donation.
Jesus Alou (right) with Ozzie Virgil (left), the first Dominican in MLB, and Juan Marichal (center), the first Dominican enshrined in baseball's Hall of Fame at DRSEA fundraiser.
Jesús Alou, a two-time World Series champion and a big-league veteran of parts of 15 seasons, died on Friday, March 10th , according to ESPN's Enrique Rojas. Alou would have celebrated his 81st birthday on March 24. Rojas added that Alou had suffered two "cardiovascular accidents" in recent times, but that he was not known to be dealing with a "serious illness."
Alou, for his career, hit .280/.305/.353 (86 OPS+) with 32 home runs and 31 steals in 1,380 contests. His contributions were worth an estimated 0.8 Wins Above Replacement, per Baseball Reference's calculations.
Jesús was, of course, the youngest of the Alou brothers, alongside Felipe and the late Matty. The Alou family tree has since produced several other notable big-league players, including Moises, José Sosa, Luis Rojas, and Mel Rojas. Jesús, Felipe, and Matty made history on Sept. 15, 1963 when they appeared (but did not start) in the same outfield for the San Francisco Giants.
Alou, for his career, hit .280/.305/.353 (86 OPS+) with 32 home runs and 31 steals in 1,380 contests. His contributions were worth an estimated 0.8 Wins Above Replacement, per Baseball Reference's calculations.
Jesús was, of course, the youngest of the Alou brothers, alongside Felipe and the late Matty. The Alou family tree has since produced several other notable big-league players, including Moises, José Sosa, Luis Rojas, and Mel Rojas. Jesús, Felipe, and Matty made history on Sept. 15, 1963 when they appeared (but did not start) in the same outfield for the San Francisco Giants.
About the DRSEA
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The Dominican Republic Sports and Education Academy (DRSEA), a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, is in the design stages. The DRSEA is planning a sports and education academy in the Dominican Republic aimed at giving talented baseball players the option of attending U.S. colleges and universities on athletic scholarships. The academy is being patterned after one in Puerto Rico that has had a high success rate of placing baseball players there on U.S. college teams. Land for the academy has been identified in the Dominican Republic, not far from the capital of Santo Domingo. If all goes well, the academy could open its doors in the not too distant future, said Charles S. Farrell, founder, principal and senior consultant for Sports Perspectives International, a sports advocacy, marketing and consulting firm. The ultimate goal of the DR Sports and Education Academy is to level the playing field in terms of full minority participation in the $450 billion a year global sports industry; amateur, professional, and on the educational level. “The Dominican Republic has embraced baseball more passionately than any other country I know,” Farrell said, “and already, some of the best baseball players in the world come from there. “Sammy Sosa, Albert Pujols, Vladimir Guerrero, Many Ramirez, David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez, Bartolo Colon, Moises Alou, Alex Rodriguez, Damaso Marte, Alfonso Soriano, Jose Reyes; the list goes on and on. Of the international players on Major League rosters last year, 75 percent came from the Dominican Republic.” Unfortunately, most rarely obtain even a high school degree, Farrell said. Players in the Dominican Republic can sign professional contracts at 16 ½, so education is usually bypassed in pursuit of the dream of success in baseball. “We want to provide young baseball players with an option by preparing them both academically AND athletically to succeed,” he said. “The addition of some of these players on U.S. college teams will be the equivalent of getting a 7-foot center in basketball, or a running back who does a 4.2 sixty. One solid hitter and fielder in a lineup could be the difference between a good college team and a great one.” The academy will be able to take gifted baseball players and prepare them academically for the college classroom. The academic program will exceed the minimum requirements for college eligibility now required by the NCAA. “We not only want them to succeed in college, we want them to excel,” Farrell said. |
Leadership
Cesar Geronimo Geronimo serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Board Trustees. |
Charles Farrell
Farrell is a Co-Founder of the DRSEA. |