Plakata Nation joins Our Esquina Podcast Network

Former All-Star Carlos Peña and his primo Rodney Peña are moving the Plakata Nation Podcast to the Our Esquina Podcast Network. Carlos, an Emmy Award winner, and Rodney Peña launched Plakata Nation in November 2022.

Plakata Nation will make its debut on Our Esquina next week.

“At the heart of our community, platforms like ‘Our Esquina’ are absolutely vital, amplifying the voices of American Latinos far and wide,” Rodney Peña said. “When combined with the Plakata Nation Podcast, it creates a dynamic duo that invites listeners from all backgrounds to join the conversation.

“Get ready for an entertaining experience. Grab your popcorn because this is going to be an unforgettable show!”

Carlos Peña was a feared slugger over his 14-year career in the majors. Peña could do it all on the baseball diamond. He won a Rawlings Gold Glove for defensive excellence. He also won a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award for his offense.

Plakata Nation resonates

“We are excited to have Plakata Nation join the Our Esquina Podcast network,” podcast director Lorenzo Delgado said. “Carlos and Rodney Peña are an exciting duo. You can hear the passion and love for the game of baseball in their voices.

“Plakata Nation continues to bring stories to life and inspire the next generation, just like what we’re doing at Our Esquina.”

The 2009 All-Star with the Tampa Bay Rays transitioned smoothly into broadcasting in 2014.

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Carlos Peña joined MLB Network as a studio analyst in 2014. He has won four Emmy Awards over the last decade. Carlos has also worked for New England Sports Network on Red Sox broadcasts and the Marquee Network on the Cubs’ postgame show. He also worked with Bally Sports Detroit on Tigers’ broadcasts this year. 

Carlos Peña is a native of the Dominican Republic. He attended high school in Massachusetts. Carlos was picked by the Texas Rangers with the 10th overall pick of the 1998 MLB Draft out of Northeastern University.

“Carlos and Rodney Peña represent what is best about Latino culture in America,” Our Esquina founder Jose de Jesus Ortiz said. “They are bright, bilingual and full of passion for representing our gente well.”

Amplifying Latino voices, stories

Ortiz, the first Latino president of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, will join the podcast as a co-host.

Ortiz has covered MLB as a beat writer or sports columnist since 1997 at major American newspapers with stints on the Tampa Bay Devil Rays beat, New York Mets beat and Houston Astros beat. He was also a backup beat writer on the Dodgers and Yankees early in his career. Ortiz was a lead sports columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch before founding Our Esquina.

“I covered Carlos when he played for the Astros in 2013,” said Ortiz, who spent 15 years at the Houston Chronicle. “He was one of the most charismatic and thoughtful players I’ve covered.

“Carlos can do it all in two languages, Spanish and English. And his baseball resume speaks for itself. It’s a major coup for Our Esquina to land Plakata Nation.”

Primo Rod promises to deliver an exciting podcast.

“Get ready for electrifying conversations that spark inspiration and motivation, all centered around the thrilling world of MLB and its incredible players,” Rodney Peña says.