CURACAO ON THE MAP: BASEBALL HOTBED

CURACAO ON THE MAP: BASEBALL HOTBED

Curaçao is known worldwide for its baseball players. The fact that so many Curaçao-born players have not only made MLB teams but developed into some of the sport’s best players is nothing short of remarkable. About one-seventh the size of Rhode Island, Curaçao is now the highest-producing MLB country per capita.

Four Curaçao natives – New York Yankees’ shortstop Didi Gregorius; Atlanta Braves’ second baseman Ozzie Albies; Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher Kenley Jansen and Milwaukee Brewers’ second baseman Jonathan Schoop – are key players among the MLB teams in this year’s playoffs.

In fact, in July Curaçao inked an Official Destination sponsorship agreement with MLB.

The two-year agreement promotes Curaçao as “an ideal destination for emerging players and baseball fans,” in the Caribbean said Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) officials.

“Baseball is an avenue for our residents and fans to connect with one another and enjoy one of the world’s greatest pastimes,” said Hugo Clarinda, CTB’s deputy director.

If there’s an international ambassador for Curaçao’s extraordinary baseball culture, the Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants and a longtime MLB player and coach, ably fills the role.

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