Baseball with a Latin Beat: A History of the Latin American Game

Since Cuba's Esteban Bellan made his debut for the Troy Haymakers of the National Association in 1871, Latin Americans have played a large role in the major leagues. Nearly 15 percent of big league rosters are made up of Latinos, while the region's colorful and competitive winter leagues have been a proving ground for up-and-coming major league players and managers.

Early Latin American stars were barred purely because of the color of their skin from playing in the major leagues. Players su...