Baseball meets Cultura in Bronx with Yankees

NEW YORK – As Juan Luis Guerra 4.40’s El Farolito rang out over the speakers, there was a clear touch of sazón in the air at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday afternoon as the Yankees welcomed media, players and fans for Hispanic Heritage media day.

The Yankees’ celebration underscored the essential role Spanish-language voices play in baseball, both on the field and in the press box.

For more than two decades, the Yankees have been leaders in providing access to Spanish-language media. They hold monthly bilingual press conferences to ensure Latino journalists and fans hear directly from players and decision-makers.

This year’s event carried that legacy forward, featuring exclusive player and manager availability, a roundtable with some of the game’s most influential Latino media members, and cultural programming that highlighted the deep ties between baseball and the Latino community.

Growing the game

Yankees manager Aaron Boone, a third-generation major leaguer who grew up immersed in the sport, was exposed to countless Latino big leaguers throughout his life. 

He pointed to current stars like the Houston Astros’ Yordan Álvarez and the Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as examples of how Latino players have elevated the level of competition across the league.

Boone referred to Alvarez and Guerrero as some of the toughest opponents he’s faced from the dugout. 

Boone emphasized that events like Hispanic Heritage media day not only deepen the game’s connection with Latino fans but also drive growth across Asia, the Caribbean and beyond.

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“It grows our game,” Boone said. “Baseball is very much a global game. And that makes days like this that much more important.”

Although this marks only the third year of Hispanic Heritage media day at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees have long laid the groundwork for inclusivity, building a strong connection with their passionate Latino community.

’Latin culture everywhere’

Now, with Marlon Abreu at the forefront, the initiative has taken on new energy.

Abreu, the team’s Spanish Interpreter and media relations coordinator, has become a vital bridge between the Yankees and Spanish-speaking audiences. A proud Dominican, he’s seen firsthand how the culture inside the clubhouse has evolved since his arrival. 

“From the first day that I got here, you could see Latin culture everywhere,” Abreu said. “It hasn’t changed, but it’s continued forward from where it was. The media has changed. There are a lot more social media creators now, and that brings new faces to the stadium. We’re just building off of what was already a strong presence.”

For Abreu, the vision goes beyond a single afternoon at the ballpark. His hope is for Hispanic Heritage media day to grow into a true destination, the kind of event the wider sports world circles on its calendar each year.

That sense of pride and momentum was echoed by former Yankees All-Star reliever Dellin Betances, who was in attendance Wednesday night as New York hosted the Detroit Tigers. 

Betances, a Dominican-American who understands both the players’ and the fans’ perspectives, spoke about how Latinos have shaped baseball’s energy, flair and competitiveness. 

Adding ‘sazón’

Betances noted that Latinos “have arguably the best players in Major League Baseball.” It’s more than just about the play on the field, though.

“We represent the game in a good way,” he said. “We bring the sazón to the game.”

For him, initiatives like Hispanic Heritage media day not only honor those contributions but also inspire the next generation of fans, players and professionals who see themselves reflected in the sport.

The day extended beyond the clubhouse as well. Guests took part in a roundtable with prominent journalists. Rickie Ricardo, Enrique Rojas, Yonder Alonso, Jon Morosi and Verónica Contreras shared their perspectives on representation in baseball storytelling.

By the end of the evening, it was clear that Hispanic Heritage media day had become more than an event. It was a statement.

The Yankees aren’t just honoring their history. They’re laying the groundwork for a future where Latino voices remain central to the game, on the field in the press box and beyond.