Jorge Alcala, a right-handed relief pitcher from the polluted suburb of Bajos de Haina in the Dominican Republic, was recently traded from the Minnesota Twins to the Boston Red Sox. Haina is infamous for its environmental issues, having the highest lead poisoning rates globally, despite efforts to improve public health following grassroots activism. Alcala, who debuted with the Twins in 2019, has struggled in 2025 with an 8.88 ERA, leading to the team's contemplation of a DFA. His journey reflects both personal resilience and the broader environmental struggles of his hometown.
Due to an almost complete lack of environmental legislation to regulate the city's host of metallurgic and chemical plants, the residents of Haina suffer from the highest level of lead poisoning on the planet.
Thanks to public protests and grassroots organization, the residents of the city finally forced the closure of a car battery smelter that was one of the main sources of the pollution and subsequent remediation efforts coordinated by a series of inter-governmental organizations and NGOs have significantly improved public health in the city.
Alcala was traded to the Minnesota Twins in 2018. He debuted with the Twins the next season and pitched in 166 games for Minnesota over the next six years.
2025 has been disastrous for Alcala so far, as evidenced by his 8.88 ERA and the fact that he allowed eight earned runs over his last two appearances.
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