CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Big Ten Network and the University of Illinois examine the history of Latinos in baseball in a new documentary, “Playing America’s Game,” which premieres Saturday, May 21, on BTN. The program is scheduled to air at 6:30 p.m. CDT, but the actual broadcast time may change depending on the start and length of the game preceding it. (For up-to-date information, check the BTN schedule page, making note of the time zone.)
Historian Adrian Burgos Jr. has written extensively on the history of Latino players and baseball’s color line.
The documentary profiles University of Illinois history professor Adrian Burgos Jr., a leading expert on Latino baseball history. Born in the Bronx, New York, just blocks away from Yankee Stadium, Burgos grew up playing the game he loved. His research merges his passion for baseball with his love of Latino history. His books and articles drew the attention of National Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, who praised Burgos’ research. “Two decades ago, there was very little written on people who were not allowed to play in the major leagues, so absolutely his work has had an impact,” Winfield said.
“Latinos were the first group of immigrants who came to the United States who already knew baseball,” Burgos said. But segregation kept Latinos with a darker complexion from playing in the majors. Burgos said those Latin players felt they had “two strikes” against them because they were black and Latino. He pointed to famed Chicago White Sox player Minnie Minoso as a pioneer in baseball history. “His story was of black Latinos breaking into professional baseball in the United States,” Burgos said. “And Orlando Cepeda said it himself, ‘Minoso is our Jackie Robinson.’”
White Sox star Minnie Minoso was a pioneer for black Latino ballplayers, so his role is featured prominently in the film.
“Playing America’s Game” also examines issues faced by today’s Latin players. The program follows Burgos to Chicago, where he talks to current White Sox infielder Jose Abreu about his experience leaving Cuba to play in the major leagues.
In Cooperstown, New York, Burgos talks about his work on the Hall of Fame and Museum’s first bilingual exhibit, “Viva Baseball.” He meets with curator John Odell to look at artifacts in their collection, including Roberto Clemente’s cap and David “Big Papi” Ortiz’s gloves. “I feel that my baseball research has illuminated how Latinos were part of the integration story,” Burgos said. “This is important history to know, and it’s even more today because so many more Latinos are in baseball.”
“Playing America’s Game” was produced by Kaitlin Southworth, Tim Hartin and Alison Davis Wood for the University of Illinois’ Office of Public Affairs and Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Editor’s note: A one-minute promo for the documentary is available here. Those seeking online access to the full video prior to broadcast should contact Alison Davis Wood at 217-244-7433; email adwood1@illinois.edu.
