Celebrating Dominican Independence Day and more
By César Augusto Márquez
It was a week of celebrations. The Dominican Republic observed 174 years of independence on Feb. 27, while La Vida Baseball reveled in its first anniversary on Mar. 1. Can you believe it’s been a full year since we started telling stories about Latino baseball and players? Time flies faster than a Gary Sánchez line drive.
The Dominican Republic’s birthday cake was bigger than ours, rightly so. Quisqueya is the largest producer of major leaguers outside of the United States. Last year, the country saw 152 Dominican-born players in the Big Show, and that’s not counting U.S.-born children of immigrants like Yankees reliever Dellin Betances.
Which is why Dominican Independence Day seems like an unofficial Major League Baseball holiday. Robinson Canó, the Mariners’ All-Star second baseman, posted a message on Instagram starting with his country’s motto, Dios, patria y libertad — God, country and freedom.
“I’m blessed to have been born in a country as beautiful as the Dominican Republic. Happy Dominican Independence Day,” Canó wrote.
Two legends, David Ortiz and Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez, openly showed their national pride.
“To represent your country means much more than being an athlete,” Martínez wrote. “It’s about commitment, passion, discipline and pride. Happy Dominican Independence Day! #yeahh.”
Betances, who was born in the Bronx in New York City, posted a picture of Team Dominican Republic from last year’s World Baseball Classic.
Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, who was born in Hialeah, Fla., did something very similar, looking sharp in home whites.
“Long live the Dominican Republic,” Machado wrote.
If looks could kill
Hall of Famer Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez posted a TBT picture of his days with the Rangers, in which he was wearing eye black and staring back at the camera with a piercing look.
“Not sure why I was so mad? Haha,” Pudge joked.
Nonetheless, every great ballplayer has a serious side. Pudge, inducted into Cooperstown last year, played with laser-focus intensity. Over 21 seasons, he hit .296 and collected 2,844 hits. So whatever that look was, it worked.
Miggy’s big heart
After a rough 2017 in which he hit for a career-low .249, Miguel “Miggy” Cabrera is looking to bounce back on all fronts. He took a break from spring training at the Tigers’ facility in Lakeland, Fla., to hang with fans and sign autographs. At least one kid’s day was made. As he chatted with 11-year-old Joey Erace, who plays on an elite amateur travel team, Miggy took off his batting gloves, signed them, gave them to Joey—and then walked into the dugout and brought out a bat for the young ballplayer.
“You have a great talent, God bless you,” Miggy wrote.
True sibling rivalry
It was brother against brother this week when the Pirates faced the Red Sox in a Grapefruit League game on Wednesday. After some pregame niceties, Álex Cora, the Red Sox’s new skipper, took on the team of his older brother, Joey Cora, the Pirates’ third base coach.
Coaching is a family affair. Álex, who played 14 seasons in the major leagues, was the Astros’ bench coach the past two seasons, while Joey has coached with the White Sox and Marlins.
The Red Sox won, 4-3. Score one for Álex.
JD is official
After a week of uncertainty over medical issues, slugger J.D. Martínez was officially introduced as the newest member of the Red Sox. Martínez, who slammed 45 home runs last season with the Tigers and Diamondbacks, was one of the most coveted free agents in the market. With a career 13.7 WAR and .857 OPS, he adds a powerful bat to the lineup, giving Boston needed muscle in the battle for the A.L. East against Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and the Yankees.
Good luck, J.D.!
Featured Image: Jean Fruth / La Vida Baseball