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Major League Baseball Reforms in Dominican Republic
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 10 a.m. ET, ESPN2)

In the talent-rich but impoverished Dominican Republic, the recent revelation that Florida Marlins reliever Leo Nunez was lying about his identity and age is the latest example of what some will do to pursue their baseball dream. No country outside the United States produces more major leaguers than the D.R. and for decades it’s been an open secret that some Dominican players have used fraudulent documents to make themselves younger. Dominican players have also been more likely than any other nationality to test positive for performance-enhancing drugs. In an Outside the Lines special report for Hispanic Heritage Month, T.J. Quinn examines a reform initiative launched by Major League Baseball, and the story of a prospect whose big league ambitions crumbled after he was caught for identity fraud.

“It would range from skeptical to outright adversarial. I know the first week that I was there we had a big demonstration outside the hotel.” — Sandy Alderson, former Head of Latin American Oversight for MLB, on local reaction when he arrived in the D.R.

“(Major League) Baseball sells the dream. They sell that dream tremendously well in the Dominican Republic, but I think that baseball owes it to those kids to temper it with the reality that your life is not over simply because you’re not going to have a career in baseball.” — Charles Farrell, Co-founder & Director of Dominican Republic Sports Education Academy

Former NFL Lineman Making a Difference
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 10 a.m. ESPN)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rWdVOg2zeg

Two decades ago, Burt Grossman was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the first round.  Known for being outspoken, the former defensive-end made the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1994 thanks to his “big mouth.” Today, Grossman is still talking, but now his voice is directed to a select group of students at Hoover High School in San Diego’s City Heights. Every day for the last two years, he has been teaching a life skills class to the freshmen the school considers most likely to drop out, changing the lives of at-risk teens. Bob Holtzman reports.

“We try to recreate the kitchen table — your family, you know, you’d all gather around and talk about your day, or what’s your problem, today, or, do you need help with this teacher? Just, basically, you’re their extra advocate on campus.”  — Burt Grossman

“What we saw was magical. Not only did these kids’ attendance improve, not only did their GPAs improve, but these kids – not all of them – were making it through the school year.” – Andy Trakas, vice principal, Hoover High, on Grossman’s influence

Giants’ Victor Cruz Turns Loss into Big Gain
Sunday NFL Countdown (Sunday, 10 a.m., ESPN)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOxQJrbpR4E

New York Giants WR Victor Cruz had no problem avoiding trouble while growing up in Paterson, N.J., but struggled to maintain his grades to play football, an issue that continued at the University of Massachusetts where he would lose his scholarship. But, the death of his father, Michael Walker, by an apparent suicide, changed Cruz’s life. He used the loss to get focused, earning back his UMass scholarship, signing with the Giants as an undrafted free agent last season, and emerging as a target in the Giants’ offense. Josina Anderson files this report as ESPN recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month

Zack Greinke’s Future is Now / Cliff Lee’s Special Delivery
ESPN.com

• Former Kansas City Royals standout Zack Greinke is getting his first taste of the MLB postseason spotlight in his first season with the Milwaukee Brewers. Liz Merrill reports.
• After their son’s cancer treatment, Cliff and Kristen Lee made a $1 million donation to endow a chair in the doctor’s specialty, providing support for research, education and training. Bonnie Ford reports.

Bryan Leyva: Developing Talent for Which National Team?
ESPN Deportes SportsCenter (Sunday, 11 p.m. ET)
Reportajes Especiales piece on ESPNDeportes.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S_B_fv5mo4

Midfielder Bryan Leyva, raised in Dallas, Texas, was the first “homegrown” player to make the MLS’ FC Dallas’ roster. The Chihuahua, Mexico native could have chosen to play in his native Mexico, where he received offers from some of the top Mexican League clubs, or in Europe, where he trained with Lille and Racing de Santander, but stayed in the United States. However, the stellar youth league player has yet to fulfill expectations at the professional level, and has yet to decide, — given the opportunity — whether to play for the Mexican or United States National team.