Roots-Based Rooting : Mexican-Born O.C. Residents’ Loyalties Torn

SANTA ANA — Whenever the United States and Mexico meet for a sporting event, national pride is involved.

Today in Williamsport, Pa., the Little League World Series is not just about two teams vying for the world championship--it’s the symbolic competition of two nations that have been going at it since the American southwest was divided between them.

So for some of the county’s large population of Latinos from Mexico, the words “home team” have a complicated meaning. Some feel the pull of pride for the team from their homeland; others cheer for he Mission Viejo kids who represent them because Orange County now is home.

Caught in the middle are others like Santa Ana bookstore owner Reuben Martinez, who says no matter who wins, he wins too: “I’m rooting for both,” Martinez said.

“I’m proud of these kids here in Orange County, and I’m proud they made it that far. But I’m also proud of the Mexican kids. . . . They’ve gone a long way.

“I’m torn!” Martinez said.

Sergio Velasquez, editor of the Spanish language weekly Mini Ondas, said he’s all for the local team.

“Well, I’m crossing my fingers for Mission Viejo, although naturally, we want to see Mexico in a very good position,” Velasquez said.

He was born in Mexico City, but Velasquez has lived in Orange County for 32 years and his home team is here.

“Everybody’s told me about the Mission Viejo team and that’s all I’ve been hearing now for a while. Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, and that’s who I’m for.”

David Kim, an avid baseball fan and coordinator of the adult Intercity Baseball League, is one who has closely watched both the Mexican team’s progress and Mission Viejo’s.

Kim, a Mexican-born American of Korean decent, said he’ll be happy if Mission Viejo wins. But he’ll be really happy if Mexico wins.

He has no hard feelings toward the Mission Viejo team, but he doesn’t identify with them either.

“When one is born in Mexico there’s still a pride that exists even though we’re here in Orange County,” Kim said.

Also, if the boys from the state of Nuevo Leon are victorious, all of Mexico would celebrate in a way that most U.S. citizens would not, he said.

“In Mexico there is going to be more pride and happiness--here there would be pride too, but really just not as much,” he said.

“Of course we would like Mission Viejo to win, but just not when the game is against Mexico,” Kim said. “If it had been anybody else, I’d be all for Mission Viejo.

“But ultimately what I think, ‘Isn’t it nice that two such very good teams have made it to the finals?’ ” he said.