Baseball is extremely popular among young Black athletes in Cuba. That was obvious during the July 11 Major League All-Star Baseball Game in Seattle in which there were 25 international players in this year’s game.

Cuba, a nation of about 11 million, led the way with eight selections, followed by the Dominican Republic with seven, Venezuela with five, Curacao with two and Japan, Canada and Puerto Rico with one each.

The “Cuban invasion” comes despite the still shaky diplomatic terms between the U.S. and Cuba. The U.S. cut off diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961. They were restored to some degree in 2015.

Yet, Cuban athletes continue to find their way to U.S. ballfields, often after defecting to Mexico, South America or another West Indies Isle.

At that point, the Cuban-born players may sign international contracts with American franchises, an opportunity unavailable in Cuba.

One can only wonder how many Cubans would be playing pro ball in the U.S. were it not for political hurdles.

The 2023 Cuban All-Stars include: Randy Arozarena, outfield, Tampa Bay; Yandy Diaz, first base, Tampa; Luis Robert, outfield, White Sox; Yordan Alvarez, first base, Houston.

Also, Yennier Cano, pitcher, Baltimore; Adalis Garcia, out- field, Texas; Jorge Soler, outfield, Miami, Lourdes Gurriel, outfield, Arizona.

Both Robert and Arozarena competed in the July 10 HomeRun Derby in Seattle.

Also, the Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez, Cincinnati’s Nick Castellanos and St. Louis’Nolan Arenado were born in the U.S. but are of Cuban ancestry.

It’s the most Cuban All-Stars since 1968 when Jose Azcue, Bert Campaneris, Leo Cardenas, Tony Oliva, Tony Perez and Luis Tiant were selected.

All those players were in the American big league system (some in minor leagues) prior to 1961.

The Cuban success (as well as Dominican) underscores how talented Black athletes are at playing baseball, assuming they are introduced to the sport and given a fair chance.

Baseball is on the backburner in most Black neighborhoods in America. Young people prefer football and basketball by a wide margin.

That explains why only six African-Americans were on this year’s All-star rosters.

They were Washington pitcher Josiah Gray, Texas outfielder Marcus Siemen, Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, Milwaukee pitcher Devin Williams and Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman.