What would baseball be like if there were no foreign players?

Question

What would MLB be like without Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, or even Big Papi?

Answer 1

MLB wouldn't be as interesting without foreign players. There is a rich history of foreign players in the majors, especially from latin America. The new influx of Japanese players just adds to the mix.
Off the top of my head some of the foreign born players that have played MLB:
Luis Tiant, Fernando Valenzuela, Roberto Clemente, Tony Perez, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda, and Rod Carew.

Some of the above players are in the HOF, some should be but aren't, but all left their mark on the game and Baseball would not be the same without them.

Answer 2

It would be like it is now, but with different players. We would not see Pujols, Ramirez or Ortiz, but there would be players of similar stature in their places. Being hispanic myself, I take pride in knowing so many hispanics are in MLB now and that they've made such a tremendous impact on the game. Let's not forget though, that most of the players from baseball's beginnings were of foreign descent. Many of them still spoke only their native tongue(s) when they started playing. It's easy these days to say whether a player is American or not, but baseball as a whole owes its entire existence to foreign players, managers, owners, etc.

To hair-of-the-dog - Roberto Clemente didn't break down any barriers when he entered MLB. There had been a few latino players before his time, but they weren't as recognized as he was.

Answer 3

It would be like before 1955 when Roberto Clemente broke into the league. But I really don’t see how this would have mattered you would just have more American players since only 1633 players have ever been born in a foreign country and have played in the Major leagues. I would have to say there wouldn’t be much of a change.

Answer 4

The talent pool would certainly be watered down and well below the high level it is now. I mean, Pena hit a grand slam home run to win it for the Red Sox last night, and he isn't even among the best of the foreign players you refer to. Baseball games would be much less interesting without their presence.

Chow!!

Answer 5

I hope I don't sound racist or jingoistic with this answer, but baseball existed for many decades with few if any non-US born players. If baseball never broadened its player pool, we would be unaware of "what we were missing". There would be other superstars to replace those you named.

Now,if you proposed to REMOVE foreign players from MLB, the answer would be quite different.

Answer 6

it would be boring as heck! it would not have the huge homers, the amazing strikeout totals, the amount of action, and everything that those players bring to the game. baseball would not exist if we did not have these players!

Answer 7

Well not as good. There are to many teams and not enough quality non- foreign players.

Answer 8

Probably the same as it is now except that reporters would have an easier time doing interviews .

Answer 9

It would be like 1946

Answer 10

What would the US be like without immigrants. Indian land!