“Unwritten code of life. The couple is known in divorce. Siblings in inheritance. Children in old age and friends in difficulties”
Sport is one of the most powerful tools to promote values such as mutual respect, tolerance or camaraderie. Unfortunately, however, sport is also associated with racist or sexist behavior on too many occasions.
What happened at the Quisqueya-Juan Marichal Stadium with the merengue “Palito de Coco” in the turn at bat of Orlando Calixte (Eagles) vs. Liceywe do not judge if it was with good or bad intention, but it was rejected by the Players Federation, the Dominican League, the Athletic Club Licey and a wide segment of the hobby.
In this age of social networks, where news travels at the speed of light, it is important to know that the racism it is the most repugnant aspect in the way of acting and thinking of the human being, since it considers that the anatomical and physiological formation of men allows some people to be more “human” than others.
Unfortunately, sport was one of the forerunners in the dissemination of this absurd theory, as happened in the 1936 Olympic Games, in which Hitler tried to demonstrate the supremacy of the Aryan race.
The fact is that after a period of seeming oblivion in the second half of the 20th century, xenophobia reappears on the high scene in the 21st century with as much force as the KKK at its height.
Unfortunately the cases of racism in sport are numerous throughout the world. Incidents involving spectators and fans are frequently reported by the media. Players, referees or rival fans are often the target of racist insults and even attacks that in some extreme cases have ended in tragedy. That is why it is necessary to intensify surveillance systems to prevent racist incidents in all areas covered by sport.
Not to be repeated in our ball parks or a sample of a CC of racism.
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In 1931, the first images of Dominican professional baseball were shown in the cinema in the hall of the Capitol Theater, in Santo Domingo, in front of Colón Park, which showed the best offensive and defensive plays of the romantic baseball of that time. Francisco Arturo Palau, a renowned photographer and cameraman, was the producer of this film.
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In 1970, Teófilo James, second baseman of the Águilas Cibaeñas, executed against the Tigres de Licey, the first and until now only triple play made without assistance by any player in the history of Dominican professional baseball.
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In 1978, Joaquín Andújar, of the Leones del Esgido, hit a home run off John Urrea of the Tigres del Licey, who won the challenge 4-1. Andújar lost the match.
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In 1984, Ramón de los Santos (Pintacora), Tigres del Licey, made his 300th lifetime appearance against the Águilas Cibaeñas.
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In 2002, Miguel Tejada, shortstop for the Oakland Athletics, receives 356 points from the Writers of Baseball (BBWAA), including 21 first-place votes out of 28 cast, and is selected as the American League Most Valuable Player. Tejada joins countrymen George Bell and Sammy Sosa as natives of the Dominican Republic to win the award, in 1987 and 1998 respectively.
