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One of the Six 2020 LatinoMVP Winners Reliever, Raisel Iglesias Finally Gets his Award

Raisel Iglesias receiving his 2020 Relief/Closer LatinoMVP award. (Photo Latino Sports)

Tempe, AZ: It took two years, but the wait was well worth it for pitcher, Raisel Iglesias. In 2020 Raisel pitching for his former team, the Cincinnati Reds had won the LatinoMVP National League Relief/Closer pitching award. He had appeared in 22 games won 4 and saved 8 games for a 2.74 ERA. However, since the LatinoMVP awards are given the following year during Hispanic Heritage Month which is from September 15th to October 15 it was difficult to award but two of the eight LatinoMVP’s. The Pandemic and the COVID mandates and restrictions made it too difficult to get the awards to Raisel and the remaining five awardee’s all pitchers and Rookies before the end of the 2021 season.

The only two awards given during Hispanic Heritage Month 2021 was for both the National League LatinoMVP, Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres awarded the last homestand of the 2021 season and the American League LatinoMVP to, José Abreu of the Chicago White Sox given during the last home game of the season. The remaining six awards for Pitchers, Relievers/Closers and Rookies could not be given. This was disappointing, but as they say on Broadway “The Show Must Go On.”

Latino Sports and the voting organization, the Latino Sports Writers & Broadcasters Association (LSWBA) are very proud of this award which is the oldest and most prestigious award given to Latino baseball players. They both wanted to make sure that each of the players that were not able to receive their awards would get them during this 2022 Spring Training season. We spoke to our sponsor and thanks to Pat Courtney, Chief Communications Officer for MLB who understood the importance of the award we worked to make it happen.

The players to receive their awards are:

Carlos Carrasco, AL Pitcher when he was with Cleveland

Alex Colomé, AL Relief Pitcher when he was with the White Sox

Randy Arozarena, AL Rookie Tampa Bay

Luis Castillo, NL Pitcher Cincinnati Reds

Raisel Iglesias, NL Relief Pitcher when he was with the Cincinnati Reds

Sixto Sánchez, NL Rookie Miami Marlins

Today when we explained the award and its delay to Raisel Iglesias he was as happy as if he was getting the award before a packed stadium. His smile and enthusiasm were contagious (a full interview with him on receiving the award will appear soon).

Today I can say that baseball is back. The sun, the crowds and the smiles coming from this young Cuban pitcher in his new home with the LA Angels said it all.

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