¡Pleibol! In the barrios and the big leagues / en los barrios y las grandes ligas explores the rich history of U.S. Latina/o baseball, showcasing extraordinary stories and artifacts that highlight the sport's significant role as a social and cultural force in Latino communities for over a century. It reveals how Latinas/os have celebrated their cultural heritage, earned livelihoods, and fought for rights through baseball. The narratives resonate with many, illustrating the formation of community, the unifying power of the game across race, class, and gender, and the ways fans engage with the sport's culture just as players do. The book is organized into eight thematic chapters, each demonstrating how baseball serves as a platform to celebrate and interrogate American identity. Each chapter features stories and artifacts from Smithsonian exhibits, along with insights from scholars, players, and enthusiasts involved in the broader Latinos and Baseball initiative. The diverse stories and objects presented bridge our past and present, revealing that baseball transcends mere sport, embodying a quintessential American narrative.
