Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum

Former San Francisco Giant first baseman Orlando Cepeda was one of the many Hispanic players in the National League in the 1960s. Cepeda is a member of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum. (New York Times file photo)

Major League Baseball Leader in Hispanic Heritage

That’s Amauiry News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The US government designated National Hispanic Heritage Month as a one-month celebration, starting on September 15 and ending on October 15, in 1989 under President George H.W. Bush. Some of the earliest documented celebrations among all US professional sports leagues, like MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLS, originated from Major League Baseball organizations, given the league’s long history with Hispanic/Latino players.

The National League of professional baseball clubs is the oldest professional sports league in the United States, founded in 1876. Major League Baseball (MLB) has the highest percentage of Hispanic/Latino players among the major professional sports leagues in the U.S.

With over 30% of players identified as Latino, and a rich history of talent from countries such as, (in alphabetical order) Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, México, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Panamá, Venezuela and other smaller countries like Aruba, Bahamas, Honduras and Curacao.

Here in the Bay Area, the San Francisco Giants have been leaders in recognizing Hispanic/Latino communities as well as one of the leaders nationwide. These celebrations are conducted by the team(s) not only because of the Hispanic talent on their rosters, but also for the Hispanic/Latino communities in which they play and the many Hispanics who are fans and support their teams.

Of the three most populous cities in the Bay Area, San José, Oakland, and San Francisco, San José is the largest, with at least 33% of its population being Hispanic, followed by Oakland at 29% and San Francisco at 16%. According to the latest 2020 US Census.

The Bay Area is one of the most diverse areas in the US and the world, and teams draw a great number of fans of Hispanic Heritage. Since the Oakland Athletics left the Bay Area after the 2024 season, the Giants have become the “only Major League” baseball team that plays within the nine-county Bay Area, with a total population of approximately 8 million people.

Overall, at the time of the 2020 Census, there were 65.3 million Americans who were Hispanic or Latino. Only México, with 130 million, has more Spanish speakers than the United States of America. The importance of Sports teams’ marketing to the largest minority in the country is just good business Down in LA.

There is no precise figure for the number of Hispanic/Latino fans of the LA Dodgers who attended Dodger Stadium. this season. However, considering the Dodgers’ attendance was over four million fans, and Los Angeles is 50% Hispanic(some say more), you do not need to be Isaac Newton or Archimedes to figure out that 1 million Spanish-speaking fans is a very possible figure for the Dodgers, the team leading the Hispanic market in all US professional leagues.

However, this is nothing new for the Dodgers; they have long recognized the importance of their Hispanic community. The relationship between a team and its fans is frequently viewed as symbiotic. Success is seen as something achieved together, lifted by those around you.

Recognition plays a role in this relationship, reinforcing positive connections. Teams that fail to recognize their own market are bound to fail. Hispanics are the largest consumer group in the US, representing a significant and fast-growing segment of the market with trillions of dollars in buying power that is projected to continue increasing.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Willy Adames of the San Francisco Giants will be celebrated by Gigantes Fiesta sponsored the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

The San Francisco Giants, the Houston Astros, the Pittsburgh Pirates, five or six teams that are friendly towards Hispanic players. The Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum is exhibited here in San Francisco and over at the Oakland Coliseum when the A’s used to play there and the A’s always had a great connection with the Giants.

It’s great day to celebrate the Hispanic players. Celebrating guys like Roberto Clemente more than 33% of the players are Hispanic players and it’s a great day to be at the ballpark. The Museum ended up picking last year’s Hispanic player of the Year. The Giants Willy Adames has had a great season hitting .231, 28 homers, and 67 RBIs.