The latest edition of the WBSC podcast The Global Game in Spanish tells the story of Juan Martin. Born in Argentina, he has played baseball on five continents. “I’ve always had the dream of playing in the MLB but it’s important to understand that the MLB is not everything. There are a lot of opportunities around the world,” said Martin, who currently plays in Germany having also played in Argentina, Australia, Dominican Republic, Japan and South Africa.
Born in Buenos Aires, he started to play baseball in Argentina, a soccer-centered country with not so big baseball roots. “Baseball in Argentina is small, but you can feel like a soccer atmosphere at the stadium, especially when the National Team plays on home soil. This is a unique experience, very cool,” he said.
As a teenager, he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays and played two years for the MLB organisation in the Dominican Summer League. “There are not many Argentine players signed by MLB organisations, so I was lucky for this opportunity.”
When he was released by Tampa Bay, he received an offer from the Mannheim Tornados to play in Germany, and he said yes with no doubt. “In Germany, depending on the team, you can have a full house or an empty stadium. People is also very passionate here, is wonderful to play in front of them.”
Martin said that there are a lot of Latin baseball players in Germany, especially Venezuelans and Cubans. “I’m trying to help some Argentine players to come here, but it’s easier for Latin players to play in other countries like Italy or Spain. Here, the weather is colder, they speak a different language... there are a lot of barriers. And the league has more restrictions for foreign players, so it’s not so easy.”
Martin has played around the world, and has a feeling about the experience in each country. “In South Africa it’s completely different. The atmosphere is more familiar, but at the same time they become somehow aggressive. They don’t mince their words,” he said laughing.
He explained that the Australian Baseball League (ABL) is growing a lot and getting better and better. “It was beautiful to play there,” he said however, his best memories are from Japan. “I can tell you it was the best baseball experience in my life. It’s a different world, different culture, a different way to live.”
After making a career as a baseball globetrotter, he feels grateful for the opportunities the sport of baseball has provided. “Thanks to baseball, I speak four languages, I had the chance to study, I have my job, I’m a coach, and I’m still playing and learning the game. You must take advantage of each opportunity.”
