BRONX, NY — On Tuesday afternoon, the New York Yankees went above and beyond in hosting the organization’s second annual Hispanic Heritage Media Day — a yearly celebration in which the Yankees honor and recognize their gratitude for Spanish language media and their hard work towards uniting fans and the community.
“I feel very much like today, an event like today, is a sign of excellence,” stated Yankees’ Vice President of Communications and Media Relations Jason Zillo during the opening remarks.
The vibrant day was full of surprises as Yankees’ Senior Vice President and GM Brian Cashman, Dominican star-studded rookie Jasson Domínguez, reigning American League Cy Young award winner Gerrit Cole, Juan Soto (2021 NL LatinoMVP), and Vice President of Player Development Kevin Reese, each took part in individual Q&A sessions with Latino/Hispanic media members.
Marlon Abreu, Brian Cashman, and Jason Zillo during Tuesday’s introductory remarks and opening of Hispanic Heritage Media Day at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Latino Sports
“It’s vitally important. Our facility in Boca Chica (Dominican Republic) has served us extremely well in terms of our Dominican Summer League teams for the players we sign as well as our home base for our international scouting. We obviously filter all the players that we sign internationally through that hub and we rely extensively on it.” – Brian Cashman on the importance of the Yankees’ academy based in the Dominican Republic, knowing how much Major League talent comes from the D.R.
“I like to think wherever the situation is, wherever the game is, whatever the game is, in the end, it’s ball. The game does not change. Obviously the elements are more fanatic, and there may be more pressure from it, but in the end, I understand that it is the same game of baseball and this is what I have always done.” – Jasson Domínguez on playing in his hometown of Esperanza, D.R. to now playing at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx
Jasson Domínguez arrives to the Yankees’ press conference room for Hispanic Heritage Media Day – Image Credit: Latino Sports
“What happens here is a little bit different than the minor leagues. We all had to go through that. For this rookie process, of being a rookie, to know how to handle when those moments and situations come — how things move here in the big leagues and how it should behave. Tremendous learning knows. Sometimes I try to help him but sometimes already, he has the answer to what I’m going to tell him alone. I think he is as mature as he is in what he does and what he wants. I think he will be fine.” – Juan Soto on the advice he’d give to Jasson Domínguez since Soto was in a very similar position during his early MLB days as a Washington National
Juan Soto meets with the Latino press on Tuesday during Hispanic Heritage Media Day – Image Credit: Latino Sports
As you can tell, this was not just some ordinary press conference, but one where several members of the media had the opportunity to ask an assortment of questions to high-profiled Yankees and front office personnel compared to the normal media scrum where dozens of beat writers, reporters from national outlets and more, usually take up the time.
Following the special Q&A held by Zillo, and the team’s Spanish interpreter and Media Relations Coordinator Marlon Abreu, who both along with the Yankees’ media staff, did a tremendous job in keeping the day organized, as well as a brief intermission that included going out to witness batting practice — the fiesta resumed in the Yankees’ press conference room with a touching tribute to Armando Talavera — a longtime staple in the Spanish-language broadcasting community, who unfortunately passed away this past May.
YES joins the Yankees in mourning the passing of Armando Talavera, a Spanish-language broadcaster for the team from 1997-2004. pic.twitter.com/yulN0FCbPx
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 29, 2024
Talavera, hired by WADO Radio (1280 AM) in 1993, was an integral part of the station for decades, calling Yankees games on WADO Radio from 1997-2004, while being one of the pioneers of Spanish sports radio with his four-hour talk show, “WADO Deportivo.” He was also one of the early commentators hired by ESPN Deportes, and helped establish + inaugurate the Latino Sports Writers and Broadcasters Association (LSWBA) in 2004 with president and founder of Latino Sports Julio Pabón.
“That same year (2004), his advocacy contributed to the Yankees’ establishment of a monthly Spanish language press conference geared to meet the needs of the Spanish language media, and that monthly tradition remains in place to this day,” stated by the Yankees per release announcing the Armando Talavera Summer Internship — click here for more information available at Latino Sports.
Members of the Talavera family pose for a photo on Tuesday afternoon after the Yankees announced the Armando Talavera Summer Internship during Hispanic Heritage Media Day – Image Credit: Latino Sports
“Additionally in 2011, Latino Sports, the LSWBA and the Yankees presented Talavera with the Buck Canel Award for his work with ESPN Deportes.”
Roundtable with Rickie Ricardo, Joel Lithgow, Mario Garza, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Rainiero Coa
To conclude the exciting afternoon, Rickie Ricardo (WADO play-by-play announcer), Joel Lithgow (Executive Director of the Yankees Latin Baseball Academy), Mario Garza (Director of Baseball Development), Oswaldo Cabrera (Infielder/Outfielder), and Rainiero Coa (Bullpen Catcher), all participated in a roundtable chat to discuss a variety of topics that featured an additional Q&A.
Roundtable with Rainiero Coa, Oswaldo Cabrera, Joel Lithgow, Mario Garza, and Rickie Ricardo – Image Credit: Latino Sports
Ricardo, the host of the roundtable, led the way in the 30 minute session, where Lithgow, currently in his 14th season with the Yankees (first as executive director of the Latin Baseball Academy), and Garza, who is also in his 14th season with the organization (first as director of Baseball Development), revealed the key components in what scouts and evaluators look for in a prospective ballplayer of their interest other than numbers and the generic production on film. Which are the fundamental and awareness aspects in one’s game — things you don’t see in the box score — such as, and here are just a few examples: backing up bases, setting up in the correct position on cut-off/relay throws, moving where the ball is hit (sometimes before it is hit), one’s progress towards identifying + establishing a legitimate comfort zone in the batter’s box, and lastly, how an individual handles failure right there in the moment.
In other words, skills that are not coachable. You either have it or you don’t. It’s what makes a Pro, a Pro.
When watching Oswaldo Cabrera day in and day out, you could tell the Venezuela native has the instincts of a Major League Baseball player – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Put A Bow On It!
Before the Yankees went on to drop Tuesday night’s game to the Kansas City Royals by a final of 5-0, Hispanic Heritage Media Day got wrapped up with a top-notch dinner in the suite levels of Yankee Stadium for all Latino/Hispanic press.
An overwhelming success for the Yankees, and for all who attended. Hopefully, more Major League Baseball organizations see this initiative and follow the Yankees’ footsteps by recognizing and honoring the contributions and efforts made by Spanish language media across our beautiful game.
Today, we held the second annual Hispanic Heritage Media Day at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees recognize and have immense gratitude for our Spanish language media in their service to our fans and the community 👏#NYYHispanicMediaDay pic.twitter.com/7Z5M3TFMn6
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 10, 2024
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