At the time the Mexican army held off the French at Puebla, the United States was going through its own conflict, the Civil War.

Baseball was making significant inroads in the United States prior to its Civil War and would continue to grow during the conflict.

Although it is up for debate, some sources say that baseball made its way to Mexican soil as a result of American military forces participating in the Mexican-American War between 1846 and 1848. The later decades of the 1800s proved beneficial for the rise of baseball, as American companies invested in various parts of the Mexican economy and their employees spread the game.

By 1925, interest in baseball was high enough among Mexicans that sportswriter Alejandro Aguilar Reyes and his friend, baseball player Ernesto Carmona, founded the Mexican League. Eventually, Mexican baseball fields became a safe haven for African-American teams. Many went south of the border, as they would not find segregation there and would receive better treatment. Willie Wells, inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, was among those who sought opportunities in the Mexican League.

“I truly believe that there is no other player in major league history who created more new fans than Fernando Valenzuela,” Jarrin said. “Fernando turned so many people from Mexico, Central America, South America into fans. He created interest in baseball among people who did not care about baseball.”

Mel Almada, who would go on to manage in Mexico, predicted the success of someone like Valenzuela, telling reporters “that someday we were going to see a boy from one of those ejidos (agricultural land outside of a village, farmed communally by the villagers) make it in the major leagues. They laughed at me, but here he is.”

Fifteen years after Fernandomania, Major League Baseball scheduled a series in Monterrey between the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets. This would mark the first time a regular season major league game would take place outside of the United States and Canada. At the time, Monterrey had shown interest in acquiring an expansion team.

Getting the ball in the series opener for the Padres was Valenzuela, and San Diego manager Bruce Bochy knew he could count on crowd support.

“With Fernando pitching we’re going to feel like the home team,” Bochy mentioned prior to the game.

Though a high-scoring affair – the Padres won 15-10 – Valenzuela pitched a solid six innings and picked up the win. The atmosphere was described as festive, with a six-piece band situated by the Padres’ dugout, fireworks and clowns. During pre-game introductions, Valenzuela received raucous support from his home country.

“I think it’s very great for the fans and for Mexico,” Valenzuela said. “For me, it’s very nice to come back and pitch in this park.

“All the fans were strong. There was a lot of support. I think that’s great. That made me feel good and want to try to keep my career going.”

Mexico continues to impress on the world stage. Mexican clubs have won three of the past five Caribbean Series. The nation has a total of eight Caribbean Series titles, including five in the past 15 years.

Mexico has also played in all three World Baseball Classic tournaments, finishing as high as sixth place in 2006. In 2009, Mexico City hosted pool play, with Mexico advancing along with Cuba.

The Mexicans have won four bronze medals in baseball at the Pan American Games, including as recently as 2007. They have been regular competitors in that tournament.

So, as everyone celebrates Cinco de Mayo this year, it is important to remember that Mexico is consistently victorious on the baseball field, just as it prevailed on the battlefields of history.