“It wasn’t easy”: Luis Polonia narrates in La Casa de Alofoke 2 the challenges he faced to stay active in baseball

Poland, 61 years old, assured that she entered La Casa de Alofoke to seek more opportunities for the children of her baseball academy.

Santo Domingo.- Dominican baseball legend Luis Polonia, known as “La Hormiga Atómica” (The Atomic Ant), opened his heart during prime time on La Casa de Alofoke 2, where he shared details of his extensive career and reflected on his life on and off the field. Poland revealed that his professional career spans more than three decades without breaks, combining seasons in Major Leagues, Dominican winter baseball and his current work as a talent coach at his academy “Luis Polonia Baseball Academy” (PBA).

“I played 13 years in the Major Leagues and 27 years in the ball here. I only had one month off a year. 11 months were practicing or playing,” expressed the former player, making clear the level of commitment he maintained for years with the sport.

In addition to highlighting his history of 1,417 hits in Major League Baseball, 927 in Dominican winter baseball and 91 in the Caribbean Series, Poland also spoke of the emotional impact of leaving his home at age 19 to pursue his dream in the United States, and how Juan Marichal was the key figure who opened the doors for him.

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“I went through a lot there. I used to call my dad crying, telling him I couldn’t take it anymore. But he would tell me: don’t worry, finish your year,” he recalled.

He also explained how, despite being signed by the Licey, he requested to play in Santiago because he didn’t want to be away from his family again. He agreed to play with the Águilas Cibaeñas, the team with which he identifies to this day, although he regretted his departure under the current administration. Currently, Poland leads a baseball academy with 25 years of experience, which works under the ethical standards of Major League Baseball and trains children and adolescents.