Palestinian you should know: Tariq Suboh

The following is from the special “Baseball Edition” of Palestine in America. The print edition of this magazine is exclusively for our subscribers. The digital version is available to the public for $2.

Tariq Suboh joined the national team a few weeks before it traveled to Islamabad, Pakistan for the team’s first international tournament, and he quickly became a cornerstone of the team.

The catcher hit the first international home run in Team Palestine’s history in the stage-clinching game against Sri Lanka.

Suboh most recently played professionally for Nebraska’s Lincoln SaltDogs. His leadership, experience and execution on the field has brought legitimacy to the team.

Palestine in America spoke with Suboh about his introduction to baseball, representing Palestine and his expectations for the team.

Palestine in America [PiA]: Who introduced you to baseball?

Tariq Suboh [TS]: When my father first moved to the USA, he had no idea what baseball was, but he loved sports. He had limited TV channels, and one of them was WGN, so he’d watch the [Chicago] Cubs all the time and became a fan and passed down that passion to me. 

PiA: What’s the highest level you've competed at?

TS: I’ve competed in college and professionally, most recently for the Lincoln SaltDogs. 

PiA: How would you compare that to playing internationally and representing Palestine?

TS: It’s hard to compare, because playing for Team Palestine is more than baseball. 

PiA: What are your expectations for the team the rest of this calendar year?

TS: My expectations for Team Palestine this year is to hopefully improve our roster, compete and represent Palestine in the Asian Baseball Championship, to join more tournaments in friendlies against different nations, and to start growing the game in Palestine. 

PiA: Where do you see the Palestinian national team in five years?

TS: In 5 years, I’d like to see Team Palestine compete with the best teams in the world, with the team comprised of players from the Palestinian diaspora all over the world, along with Palestinian citizens, and to qualify to the WBC [World Baseball Classic]. 

PiA: What is your favorite team, and who is your favorite player?

TS: Favorite team is the Chicago Cubs. Favorite player is Shohei Ohtani [of the Los Angeles Angels].