Major League Baseball (MLB)
Similar to other U.S. professional sports, Major League Baseball (MLB) is also a global sport. Since 1871, foreign-born MLB players have comprised approximately 12 percent of all players. Over time, foreign-born MLB players have come from nearly every continent representing more than 45 countries, as well as U.S. Territories and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Overview of the Changing Demographics of Major League Baseball
- Between the years 1871 to 1939, 90% of MLB players who debuted were born in either Europe or Canada and 9% were born in the Caribbean, specifically Cuba. Similarly, approximately 94% of immigrants living in the United States at the same time were from Europe or Canada.
- Starting in the 1940s, there is an increase in foreign-born players playing Major League Baseball. Between the years 1940 to 1959, only one-third (33%) of MLB players who debuted were born in Europe or Canada, yet half (50%) of players were born in the Caribbean, specifically Cuba. However, among immigrants who were living in the United States during this time, approximately 91% of immigrants were from Europe or Canada and only 1% were from the Caribbean.
- Starting in the 1960s (and to the present), the percentage of foreign-born MLB players exceeds the percentage of immigrants living in the United States. From the years 1960 to 1989, foreign-born players from Canada and Europe comprised 16% of immigrant MLB players while 51% of foreign-born players were born in the Caribbean (such as the Dominican Republic or Cuba), and one-third of foreign-born players were born in Central America and Mexico or South America.
- After the year 1990, the percentage of foreign-born MLB players is double the proportion of immigrants living in the United States. From 1990 to 2020, two-thirds of foreign-born players who debuted in MLB were born in the Dominican Republic (42%) or Venezuela (24%). Yet individuals from these two countries comprise only 3% of immigrants living in the United States during this time.
2023 MLB Season. During the 2023 MLB season, one-quarter (25%) of MLB players were foreign-born. Foreign-born MLB players were born in 21 different countries. Three-fourths of foreign-born MLB players were born in either the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, or Cuba.
2023 MLB All-Star Game. During the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, two-fifths (42%) of players were foreign-born. Foreign-born players not only won the Home Run Derby (Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) and the All-Star Game MVP (Elias Díaz), but foreign-born players had more than half of the batting hits, sixty percent of the runs, and eighty percent of the runs batted in.
2023 MLB Playoffs and MVP Awards. During the 2023 MLB playoffs, more than one-third (32%) of MLB players were foreign-born. Foreign-born MLB players who played in the 2023 playoffs were born in six different countries. The Houston Astros were the most international playoff team with more than half (57%) of their players either being born abroad or in a U.S. Territory. Additionally, both MVP awards were presented to foreign-born players: Ronald Acuña Jr. who is from Venezuela and Shohei Ohtani who is from Japan.
For a fact sheet on MLB players during the 2023 season, click on the below link:
For a fact sheet on MLB players in prior seasons, click on the below link:
