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04/06/2009 4:56 PM ET
Opening Day rosters feature 229 players born outside the U.S.
28.0 Percent of Players Are Foreign-Born, Spanning 15 Countries and Territories
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Two-hundred twenty-nine (229) players on Opening Day rosters and disabled lists were born outside the 50 United States, it was announced today.

Overall, 28.0 percent of the 818 players (748 active 25-man roster players and 70 disabled or restricted Major League players) on April 5th rosters were born outside the 50 United States, representing 15 countries and territories. The all-time highs occurred in 2005, when 29.2 percent (242/829) of Opening Day players were foreign-born, and in 2007, when 246 players were born outside the U.S., totaling 29.0 percent of all players. Last season, 239 players from a pool of 855 were foreign-born, also totaling 28.0 percent.

The Dominican Republic has produced the most Major Leaguers born outside the U.S. with 81. Venezuela (52) and Puerto Rico (28) have the next highest totals, followed by Mexico (14); Canada and Japan (13 each); Cuba (7); Curaçao and Panama (4 each); Australia and Korea (3 each); Colombia, Nicaragua and Taiwan (2 each); and the Netherlands (1).

Among the Major League Clubs, the Seattle Mariners have the most foreign-born players with 15, comprising 53.6 percent of the 28 players on their active 25-man roster and disabled list. The Boston Red Sox, the New York Mets and the New York Yankees are next with 12 apiece. Seattle's 15 foreign-born players hail from seven different countries and territories. The Atlanta Braves are the most geographically diverse club, representing eight different countries and territories -- Australia, Cuba, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

In addition, 3,335 of the 6,973 Minor League players under contract -- 47.8 percent -- were born outside the United States, the same percentage as last season (3,356/7,021). Minor League players span 41 countries and territories, up from 36 one year ago.
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