Local Players on MLB's Latino Legends Team

Six years after announcing Baseball's [no-Latino] All-Century team, Major League Baseball unveiled their "Latino Legends" team before last night's World Series game. The team was selected by fan voting with several local players making the team, Pedro Martinez of the Mets, Alex "I'm a Dog" Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera of the Yankees, Manny Ramirez who despite not wanting to play for the Mets and being on the Red Sox, is actually from Washington Heights, and former Seattle Mariner Edgar Martinez, who was born in New York.

The announcement of the team was not without controversy as Ozzie Guillen, manager of the now World Champion White Sox, had issue with some of the players that made the team. Guillen mocked the choice of Alex Rodriguez over Luis Aparicio, "Alex Rodriguez couldn't even hold Luis Aparicio's (underwear).''

There are probably several oversights, but the biggest one in Gothamist's mind is Orlando Cepeda at first base. While Albert Pujols is an excellent player, 5 years does not make a career. Also odd is the inclusion of Edgar Martinez as a 3rd basemen. While he deserves to be on the team, Martinez played at 3rd earlier in his career, and only played quarter of his games there.

Photo by Eric Gay/AP via MSNBC

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By tien mao on October 27, 2005 11:44 AM

Comments [rss]

tien

and the all-century team is it, there's no more voting for that. that was six years ago. so the whole list is without a latin-american player.

pugsley

Oh, I see, they list the runners up too. Clemente came in one slot short. He certainly should have kicked Pete Rose's and Griffey's ass if not the others. Still the idea of the hispanic all stars team is condescending. Clemente will probably move up in next year's balloting. all the others I find arguable.

tien

and pugsley, they weren't actually on the team, they were just on the ballot.

tien

they had three black players, or 12% of the team. that's more than none.

pugsley

Clemente, Carew, Marichel among others seem to be on the All Century team, so the idea of an all hispanic all star team is retarded. It implies that guys like Clemente aren't good enough to compete when he's probably the best player ever.

rev pays

The white sox didn't look there were many "black" players but they made it up with their GM, coaches and manager.

and, most of their players are young.

that's why I was glad they won, young and better looking.

the astro's and cards, both have pitchers with really bad skin.

b

You know there was not a single black ball player on the Houston Astros? interesting fact

rev pays

that's why I was so happy when they showed bush sr and barb's reaction when the astro's lost.

Jen

But Albert Pujols has the best last name ever.

tien

raffy was on the ballot and in hindsight, the pickings at 3rd base were pretty damn slim, so i guess edgar kind of works.

and ed, if you can believe it, the astros actually don't have any black players on the team. on wfan yesterday, they were discussing minorities in mlb, and the % of african american players was around 9% (if i recall correctly).

ed209

Too bad these legendary players did not get a bigger ovation than they should have deserved. Seems like the city of Houston knew very little of these players.