Using the Finley comment. I did think of a interesting background for this kid, provided you change country of origin and the era.
Dinh-Hy Tra escaped with his family from the war torn country of Vietnam in the early 70s. They came to America to restart their lives. Little Dinh-Hy, a teenager got talked into trying out for baseball by one of his new friends at school. Well, he couldnt hit so well. But, he did have some speed. So, the coach used him as
PR that year, in what would be his junior year. His senior year he started in CF (most of the seniors graduated, and this was a shell of a team.) Nevertheless, he did overachieve, and became the team's "inspirational leader" given his turmoiled childhood. Just so happens, one of the A's scouts happened to see him play. And Finley, figured with the kid's speed, background, and wacky name (all he needed was some wierd facial hair
) that he'd be perfect to take as the final pick of their drafting phase. And so begins the career of a most unusual player.......
(Note: COurse, i suppose you could use Cambodia and the killing fields and use the World Champion Yankees. Later in the decade. I know most of you would like to make all Yankees have these ratings.
)