U.S.-Mexico find unity through baseball

Sultanes of Monterrey’s baseball team at Oracle Park in San Francisco on March 23. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Baseball has been part of Mexico’s culture since the late 1800s; the same century it became a sport in the United States.

The two countries are linked in many ways—with baseball being a big one. Several players born in the United States played for Mexico this year in the World Baseball Classic. Eleven players from Mexico were on the 2025 opening day roster for various Major League Baseball teams. (Tally for this season has not been released.)

Toronto Blue Jays’ catcher Alejandro Kirk became the first player born in Mexico  to hit a home run in a World Series when he did so last October. He hails from Tijuana.

On March 23 and March 24, the Sultanes of Monterrey, Mexico, traveled to California to take on the San Francisco Giants.

Oracle Park on Monday was lively—albeit sparse in terms of fans for the exhibition game—with Latin music, Mexican flags and as many people seeming to root for the Sultanes as were rooting for the home team Giants. It was definitely festive.

A Mexican beer to toast the festivities of Sultanes of Mexico v. Giants of U.S. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

“The Sultanes de Monterrey celebrated their 85th anniversary in 2024, a date that marked a turning point in the history of Mexican baseball. More than eight and a half decades of history support the Monterrey team as the most emblematic and traditional institution in the Mexican Baseball League, not only for its uninterrupted presence since 1939, but also for the cultural and sporting significance it represents,” the baseball team’s website says. “Their history is special in many ways. With 10 championships in their trophy case and countless memorable moments, the Sultanes have earned a privileged place in Mexican baseball. Each title won reflects the courage, discipline, and dedication of their players, who over the years have made the club an undisputed icon. Beyond the numbers, their story is made up of idols, feats, and moments that have been etched into the collective memory of fans in Monterrey and throughout the country.”

In the Giants’ quest to embrace the Bay Area’s Latino community created the Gigantes uniform in 2005 that was worn sporadically each season. This season players will wear the jersey every Saturday.

“These games will include cultural performances, live music, and specialty food and promotions, starting with Saturday’s Willy Adames bobblehead giveaway,” according to the Giants website.

Sport is one of those things that transcends lines on a map, language and politics. It brings people together. We need more of that.