BRADENTON, Fla. — Moises Alou stood behind the batting cage. Tony Pena chatted near the dugout. An All-Star roster of Dominicans smashed balls during batting practice, and more and more fans lined the LECOM Park railings, Republica Dominicana hats on, smart phones raised.
This was the scene Wednesday as the Dominican Republic, featuring center fielder Starling Marte and right fielder Gregory Polanco, prepared to face the Pirates in an exhibition game.
“I signed with the Pirates when I was 18 and I left the organization when I was 26,” said Pena, the Dominican manager, who teared up when he returned to Pirate City for workouts.