Playing America's Game: Baseball, Latinos and the Color Line (review)

Playing America's Game begins with the author introducing us to why he has an interest in this topic and what makes him qualified to pursue this line of study. After giving us this brief introduction Dr. Burgos then goes on to explain for the reader where he sees this study fitting in the literature about America's National Pastime. While to some this may seem too much like what you find in a dissertation it is helpful to those not as familiar with the materials.

Dr. Burgos uses this text to explain how Latino's enjoy a unique place in baseball history, fitting neither into the area of inclusion or exclusion easily. He argues that has been the trend of much of the literature in discussing Latino players as either white or black but that is too simple. Dr. Burgos says that they are much more "central actors in the negotiation of the color line" (5) and reveal a great deal about the evolution of racial attitudes in this country. How did these young men come to be allowed to play in the Major Leagues and also the Negro Leagues? Were they simply able to play based solely on their skin color or as Dr. Burgos argues was it more complicated?

Beginning with baseball in the 19th century readers are taken through the various changes in baseball that affected who was able to play and under what rules. In the early days baseball lacked organization and economic clout and so players moved about easily such as Esteban Bellan. With the introduction of a reserve clause and more organization a color line developed to help white players exercise more control over who played the game.

The question of Latino players and where they fit in this picture really entered the scene by the 1890s and the Spanish American War when interactions between the United States and Cuba increased. Vincent Nava becomes the first figure to really introduce the question to the American public about where Latino players fit. Dr. Burgos gives detailed look into how Nava was viewed by the press and public. Though no one seemed to call for Nava's exclusion from the game he was playing at the same time that African Americans were forced to form their own teams like the Cuban Giants and even their own leagues. From here Dr. Burgos goes on to examine what happened to Latino players in both arenas and how their playing time pushed the boundaries of racial exclusion.

With excellent primary and secondary sources Dr. Burgos weaves a story that raises more questions than at times can be answered in one text. He challenges prevailing views about race in America and asks us to reconsider the role of Latinos in America's game. Through his extensive notes and bibliography researchers can pursue this story further and see that he did create a story but has brought out pieces of the story that have been overlooked or been seen as simply back or white and not brown.