Dominican Republic’s baseball fervor
Young baseball talent ripens in Santiago in the Dominican Republic, starting point for more than 100 players now active in the U.S.’ major leagues -- including such stars as the Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez and the Angels’ Vladimir Guerrero. In the D.R., the game is a way of life that began in the 19th century when Cubans, fleeing war at home, brought the game to their West Indies neighbor. (Dean R. Owen / For The Times)
Cards showing major league greats lie among a memorabilia vendor’s wares in the Pulga de Antiguedades, a weekly gathering of people selling crafts, antiques and thrift store fare in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s capital. As the professional season in the U.S. winds down, the six-team Dominican winter league is kicking off, running from October through January. (Dean R. Owen / For The Times)
Practice is held at the Epy Guerrero training academy in Villa Mella, north of Santo Domingo. Most major league teams have facilities in the Dominican Republic. The Dodgers have run the Campo Las Palmas academy for two decades. (Ramon Espinosa / For The Times)
A young player cradles a baseball at Epy Guerrero’s academy in Villa Mella. Guerrero is renowned for the numbers of players that, as a scout, he helped send to the major leagues. (Ramon Espinosa / For The Times)
