It’s unlikely even the most dedicated Seattle Mariners fans have heard of Leonardo Santiago or Jose Valdez.
They were two of the Mariners’ three trainers at their complex in Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic. Santiago had been with the club for 10 years and Valdez since April, working with minor leaguers. They are no longer employed by the team after the Mariners declined to renew their contracts last month.
Santiago and Valdez spoke to The News Tribune last weekend about what they view as racial discrimination by the Mariners, specifically by director of player development Andy McKay.