Strategies From The Baseball Diamond

International players continue to be an integral part of Major League Baseball (MLB) teams in the 2020s. According to a recent MLB press release, opening day rosters in 2025 featured a total of 265 players from 18 different countries and territories outside the United States, representing a slight increase from the previous season. Therefore, 27.8 percent of major league baseball players are born internationally, with a significant portion hailing from Latin America. Given the diversity of these teams, MLB managers must effectively lead groups with varying cultural beliefs, customs, and languages. The same responsibility applies to individuals in supervisory roles at Fortune 500 companies that employ international talent from around the world.

Benefits of Recruiting International Talent

In a corporate environment, international employees often provide diverse perspectives, valuable insights into global markets, and a deeper understanding of cultural barriers. They can also add significant value in boardrooms and collaborative decision-making processes. Access to a larger talent pool can benefit companies and facilitate the expansion of brands into international markets. Corporate entities, including professional baseball teams, strive to attract the best and brightest prospective employees and free agents, regardless of their origins.

Baseball teams highly value international players because many of them possess unique skill sets. A notable example is the Los Angeles Dodgers’ multi-talented Shohei Ohtani from Japan, one of the few players in modern baseball history to excel in both pitching and hitting. He ranked fourth in the American League in earned run average (2.33) as a pitcher in 2022 and led the league in home runs (44) as a hitter in 2023, while playing across town for the Angels. Last season, Ohtani made history as the first player in MLB to hit at least 50 home runs and steal at least 50 bases in a single season, leading the Dodgers to a World Series championship.

Ronald Acuña Jr., the uniquely talented Venezuelan outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, led the National League in runs, hits, and stolen bases while hitting 40 home runs during his MVP season in 2023. He also has a strong arm and good range as an outfielder, highlighting his versatility. Ronald Acuña Jr. comes from a lineage of exceptionally talented players from Venezuela, including nine-time All-Star Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros and former Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, who retired in 2023.

The San Francisco Giants’ investment in South Korean star Jung Hoo Lee demonstrates their confidence in his abilities. In 2023, Lee signed a six-year, $113 million contract, the largest ever awarded to a South Korean player. He is known for his elite defense, bat-to-ball skills, and low strikeout rate. Fellow member of the Giants organization, Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez, has been rated as the number two prospect in the 2025 international class by MLB’s pipeline. He is also only the sixth player from Aruba to ever compete in the major leagues. In a recent statement, Joe Salermo, Senior Director of International Scouting for the Giants, raved about Gonzalez’s abilities as a switch-hitting shortstop.

Overcoming Barriers and Building Relationships

When working with international employees, effective leaders should invest time in understanding diverse cultural backgrounds, employing effective communication strategies, and navigating language barriers, all while adapting to various performance styles. This requires a concerted effort from the leader to step out of their comfort zone and a willingness to learn.

An example of an MLB manager who has done well in this regard is Bruce Bochy of the Texas Rangers. Born in France, he managed the French national team during the qualifying tournament in Germany for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Bochy is the only manager is MLB history to lead three different franchises to the World Series. In a 2023 press conference before Game 3 of the ALDS, Rangers President of Baseball Operations Chris Young credited Bochy’s success as a manager to his ability to evolve, grow, and maintain an open mind amid the numerous changes in the game over the years.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who was born in Japan, has a proven track record of successfully working with international players, as demonstrated by his success managing stars such as Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In a recent interview, Yamamoto pointed out that Roberts provided valuable support to him as a rookie last season. Roberts has expressed his belief that the Dodgers are the ‘epicenter’ for global sports. The two-time World Series champion manager also envisions his team to be the primary MLB team recruiting players in Japan, according to Dodgers Nation.

Strong interpersonal skills are an important part of a manager’s ability to connect with players and the coaching staff. Alex Cora, a native of Puerto Rico, demonstrated his bilingualism early in his tenure as the manager of the Boston Red Sox. Although Spanish is his first language, Cora was able to effectively communicate with both his Spanish-speaking and English-speaking players, leading to a World Series title in 2018. In a 2019 interview during spring training, Cora shared a valuable experience from his time at the University of Miami, where he challenged himself to overcome his fear of speaking English and delivered presentations in front of large audiences. He continues to show a willingness to step outside his comfort zone by embracing press conferences as an opportunity to practice his English skills.

For years, several MLB managers have proactively attempted to learn Spanish in order to better communicate with Latin American players. Former managers Tony La Russa, Lou Piniella, and Mike Scioscia spoke Spanish with some of their players during the course of their managerial careers. Same with Tommy Lasorda and Dusty Baker, who dedicated time to learn Spanish phrases while managing in the Caribbean winter leagues. Terry Francona, who is in his first season as manager of the Cincinnati Reds, shared during spring training that he is trying to learn one Spanish word or phrase each day from All-Star infielder Elly De La Cruz. Francona praised De La Cruz for his ability to speak English and acknowledged the challenge of learning a second language.

Fostering an Inclusive Environment

As previously expressed, language barriers can pose a significant challenge when leading international talent. MLB has enhanced its language support, and many players now have interpreters. However, it is important for individuals in leadership positions to make an effort to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures.

Baseball is a sport that requires those in leadership roles to possess cultural competence, or one’s ability to understand, respect, and interact with individuals from different countries or origins. This involves not only being aware of one’s own views but also appreciating differences in others. In today’s business landscape, both current and aspiring professionals from all backgrounds can greatly benefit from being open to learning from one another. This openness welcomes collaboration and contributes to a harmonious working environment.

Whether on the baseball diamond or in a corporate boardroom, effective leaders sometimes need to tailor their approaches to meet the needs of their personnel. Employees from all walks of life seek to feel valued, included, and respected. Enhancing global awareness can deepen an individual’s understanding of the world and develop a more well-rounded perspective. These actions create conditions that enable diverse sports teams or companies to thrive.