Beginning this weekend, the Detroit Tigers will highlight the important contributions of Hispanic and Latino players, as well as Detroit-based community organizations. The effort is part of “Somos MLB,” a league-wide recognition of Latino baseball stars and their contributions to the game.

The celebration kicks off on Friday, September 18, when Detroit Tigers radio announcer Dan Dickerson virtually interviews Tigers icons Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, Placido Polanco, Ramon Santiago and Juan Berenguer, who played for the team during their 1984 World Series win. 

Throughout the coming weeks on social media, the Tigers will share stories and content celebrating the accomplishments of other Hispanic and Latino players who have made an impact on the team.

Additionally, the Tigers will highlight community organizations such as Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development, Inc. (LA SED), a non-profit agency that serves Hispanics and residents of Southwest Detroit. The Tigers have a long-standing relationship with LA SED, and the organization’s Ago Benavides will throw out the Virtual First Pitch prior to Saturday’s Tigers game.

As part of its programming, LA SED’s Youth Center provides invaluable resources for Hispanic and Latino children in the Detroit community. The bilingual volunteer staff of the Youth Center is dedicated to serving young people in need through advocacy, tutoring, summer employment programs and more. 

Learn more from LA SED’s Jane Garcia, who this week sat down for an interview for the Word on Woodward to talk about the importance of resources such as the Youth Center.

To learn more about “Somos Tigres,” Hispanic and Latino Detroit Tigers players, past and present, and the ongoing “Fiesta Tigres” event, which has been held at Comerica Park since 2008, visit here:  https://www.mlb.com/tigers/community/hispanic-heritage/

You can follow the Detroit Tigers Spanish-language Twitter and Instagram pages here.