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Before 1961, when the US government severed diplomatic relations with Cuba and Castro abolished professional baseball, Cuba provided the bulk of foreign players for the major leagues. More than 100 players have joined the majors since the color barrier was lifted in 1947.
In 1991, Rene Arocha became the first player to defect since Castro's takeover. A special draft was held for his services. Within the last few years the Cuban National Team has seen many of their stars defect to America, leaving behind the amatuer leagues in pursuit of their dreams to play in the pros. Such stars as Livan Hernandez and his brother Orlando (El Duque) have each made a name for themselves on their respective World Series Championship teams (Livan with the Marlins in 1997 and Orlando with the Yankees in 1999). Other defectors to play in the Major Leagues in the 1990s include Rey Ordonez, Ariel Prieto and Osvaldo Fernandez.
On January 2, 2000, Cuba's star pitcher Andrian Hernández defected to Costa Rica with the intention of coming to the US and the Major Leagues.