Spanish
Santo Domingo.- Former Major League player and new general manager of the Leones del Escogido, Carlos Peña, highlighted the value of education and personal preparation in the training of Dominican baseball players, emphasizing that success in modern baseball goes beyond the playing field.
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"We are not just operators between the lines," Peña expressed. "Today's player must understand that they represent their country, their family, and their own brand. Academic and personal preparation is fundamental."
The former player explained that he has seen a positive evolution in the new generations of Dominican players, who are increasingly concerned about their overall development.
Peña recalled that a sports career is short and that players must prepare for the future:"The boys are understanding that it's not just about making a play on the field. They prepare, they study, they speak English, they create their own brand. That fills me with pride," he pointed out.
The former player also praised the players who strive to communicate in English during their interviews, seeing it as a reflection of the educational growth of the Dominican athlete."The ball is just one facet of life. I finished at 36 years old, and I was still young. You have to be ready to continue, to contribute in other ways," he added.
"When I see a 22-year-old speaking English on national television, it fills me with emotion. That wasn't seen before. These guys are brilliant and are showing that Dominican baseball is also evolving off the field," he concluded.
