Away Games: The Life and Times of a Latin Ball Player - Softcover

"This is an important and well-told story in baseball, which may well foretell a future where the pro rosters are dominated by these talented and hungry escapees from the barrio." An enthralling account of the difficult journey of the Latin player. Tejada and his countrymen are well served by "Away Games," a journal of just how much they have and must overcome. This is an important and well-told story in baseball, which may well foretell a future where the pro rosters are dominated by these talented and hungry escapees from the barrio. aAn enthralling account of the difficult journey of the Latin player.a aTejada and his countrymen are well served by "Away Games," a journal of just how much they have and must overcome.a aThis is an important and well-told story in baseball, which may well foretell a future where the pro rosters are dominated by these talented and hungry escapees from the barrio.a

In Away Games, first published in 1999, award-winning journalists Marcos Bret n and Jos Luis Villegas examine the story of Latin America baseball as seen through the eyes of Miguel Tejada, a young Dominican shortstop and one of many promising Latin American prospects who began his big league career with the Oakland A's organization. Just as African American players electrified baseball in the 1950s, Latino ballplayers are transforming America's past time today. Sammy Sosa, Pedro Martinez and his brother Ramon, Raul Mondesi, Manny Ramirez, and Vladimir Guerrero--they are baseball's future, and they come from places most Americans have never heard of and from lives most Americans could never even imagine. This riveting tale of Tejada's journey from the barrios to the starting lineup of a major league team gives voice to every kid's dream of playing baseball. For some the dream ends in glory and riches, for others in harsh reality and failed potential. The story of Latino baseball is an incredible tale--baseball's last, great untold story.