Episode 15: Fixing Baseball's Clash of Cultures

As baseball season kicks off this week hosts Tom and Joe speak to former Tampa Bay Ray and Columbia graduate Fernando Perez, who opens up about his path to the Major League and his fears for the future of the sport.Fernando explains in the second half of the show (from 31:15) why he has no problem with bat-flipping, and why those who do are contributing to a "tired" baseball culture which threatens the sport's long-term relevance.He offers his solution as to how the sport can secure its future, by being more inclusive towards minorities and confronting baseball's language barrier.Fernando also talks in the first half of the show about why the Columbia badminton team proved a tricky obstacle along his path to being drafted, and why cutting up a teammate’s chicken and bringing them beer can be a good way to go up on the world of Minor League baseball.Follow Fernando on Twitter @ifernandoperez3The FactsThe CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CUSportsBiz.Our presenters are Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com