Giants pitcher Sean Manaea’s ethnicity, confirmed

In the evolving landscape of Major League Baseball, Sean Manaea of the San Francisco Giants stands out not only for his impressive left-handed pitching but also as one of the few players of Samoan descent in the sport.

Manaea was born to Faaloloi, who comes from American Samoa, and Opal, whom his father met while stationed in Indiana after serving in Vietnam. Growing up in Wanatah, Indiana—a small town with a population of about 1,000—Manaea felt a disconnect from his Samoan roots. He remarked, “Not too many Polynesians in Indiana. I never really experienced the culture. But I always wanted to get to know that part of me.”

His journey to reconnect with his heritage took a significant turn in 2013 when he received a $3.55 million signing bonus from the Kansas City Royals. His first priority was to book a trip to American Samoa with his parents. The trip involved a challenging travel schedule—five hours to Honolulu and then another seven hours across the Pacific—but it was a meaningful experience. During this visit, Manaea connected with distant relatives for the first time and savored traditional Samoan cuisine in his father’s childhood home in Lauli’i.

This season, Manaea found a connection in the Giants’ clubhouse with catcher Blake Sabol, who also shares Samoan heritage. Their bond deepened when Sabol’s mother, Carmalita Brown-Sabol, prepared an authentic Samoan feast for the two during spring training, featuring traditional dishes like sapasuey and fa’alifu talo. The potential of forming the first Samoan battery in Major League history has both players excited and eager to represent their culture on the field.

The representation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in professional sports is increasing. In the NFL, Taylor Rapp of the Buffalo Bills showcases his Chinese American heritage through tattoos and his role as a role model for young Asian Americans. Similarly, in golf, Hideki Matsuyama has become a trailblazer for Japanese athletes, earning accolades like his historic Masters Tournament victory in 2021.

For Manaea, now 31 and firmly established in the Giants’ pitching rotation, his connection to his culture continues to deepen. His brother Dane’s military service mirrors their father’s legacy and adds another layer to their family’s American Samoan story. A poignant moment came last season when Dane, in his Navy whites, handed Sean a baseball during Military Appreciation Night in San Diego, bringing the pitcher to tears.

Ultimately, Manaea and Sabol’s presence in the Major League Baseball landscape symbolizes more than athletic achievement. Their shared heritage and the prospect of a history-making battery reflect the growing inclusivity in America’s pastime, making strides toward representation and connection within the sport.