SEPT 13 WHICH COUNTRY PRODUCES THE MOST M.L. BASEBALL PLAYERS?

SEPT 13 WHICH COUNTRY HAS THE MOST M.L. BASEBALL PLAYERS?

The Oakland A's made history on Wednesday when they inserted relief pitcher Jesus Luzardo into the game. The unknown leftie became the first ever major league player born in Peru. This season, a record 28% of the players (251 total) were not born in the USA. Let's see which nations supply the most and best athletes.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (102).  It's no secret, this island nation has become a factory for producing baseball talent. As documented in the award-winning documentary Sugar, players are recruited young, trained hard and groomed into superstars. NOTABLE PLAYERS: David 'Big Papi' Ortiz retired last year with 541 career home runs, tops for a Dominican player. Chasing him are Nelson Cruz (396) and Robinson Cano (334).

VENEZUELA (68). Believe it or not, baseball is more popular in Venezuela than soccer. Since 1945, the Liga Venezolano de Beisbol (LVBP) has grown in popularity and attendance. Their premier club, Leones de Caracas could beat the Baltimore Orioles. NOTEABLE: Starting pitcher 'King' Felix Hernandez has 169 career wins. Even more impressive when you consider he spent all 14 years with the Seattle Mariners. First baseman Miguel Cabrera is a lock for the Hall of Fame.

CUBA (19). With a strong history of American colonialism, baseball is part of Cuba. The first game ever was won by Club Havana  in 1874. The team went on the dominate the Cuba League from 1933 to 1960...when Fidel Castro banned all pro sports. Stay tuned: A new league is just underway.. NOTEABLE: Yankees pitcher Aroldis Chapman did the unlikely and replaced beloved Mariano Rivera as a lights-out closer. Yoenis Cespedes has 163 career HRs.

MEXICO (8). With 14 teams in two divisions, La Liga de Beisbol is the America's second largest baseball league. Since 1967, it has been classified as an official Triple-A classification by America's Major Leagues. Despite this, it has produced a surprisingly small number of prospects. NOTABLE: None since Fernando Valenzuela.

JAPAN (6). Baseball in Japan dates back to the 1920's, but things really took off during the American occupation following WWII. From a few clubs, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) has grown into a billion-dollar industry...it's the second most profitable baseball league in the world. NOTABLE: After six record breaking seasons as a pitcher and slugger, Shohei Otani signed a ginormous contract with the Anaheim Angels. Injuries have slowed him. Pitcher Yu Darvish has a crazy curveball.