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All the players in Thursday afternoon’s lineup were sporting the number 21 in honor of baseball legend Roberto Clemente, but for the first time in history, they also had something else in common. The Rays’ lineup against the Jays was entirely made of Latino players, something that has inexplicably never occurred in an MLB game before Thursday.
The men on the field: Yandy Diaz, Randy Arozarena, Wander Franco, Manuel Margot, Jose Siri, Harold Ramirez, David Peralta, René Pinto, and Isaac Paredes, represented several countries including Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico, and most of them didn’t even recognize what was special about the lineup until after the game.
A look at history.
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) September 15, 2022
All 9 Latino players in the starting line up posing for a pic after the game.
The first time in Major League Baseball history all 9 hitters in starting line up were Latinos.
And on Roberto Clemente day at that. So cool. So inspiring. pic.twitter.com/Zy9GD9wwjv
History on Roberto Clemente Day!
— MLB (@MLB) September 15, 2022
The Rays starting lineup featured all Latin American-born players, the first time in MLB history. pic.twitter.com/bM4dHdHX65
Proud to wear 2️⃣1️⃣
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 15, 2022
For the first time in @MLB history, all hitters in today's starting lineup are Latin American. pic.twitter.com/L7VDbI6KwG
When the players were interviewed following the 11-0 blowout against the Blue Jays, they collectively spoke about how wonderful it was for it to have happened on the day baseball commemorated Roberto Clemente. José Ramirez told the press, “[It’s] very good for the team and for every Latin player, and on this day it’s more special because it’s Roberto Clemente Day... That happened on the right day. Everyone enjoyed it right after the game, because nobody knew.”
In fact, even Kevin Cash didn’t realize what he’d done until the game was in progress. “It’s pretty cool. I didn’t know that ‘til halfway through the game; somebody mentioned it to me,” he told reporters later.
Roberto Clemente Day is an annual tradition in baseball that celebrates the humanitarian legacy of Clemente — who became the first Latino player to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Now every year his history of service and dedication to others is recognized as a Roberto Clemente Award nominee from every club is recognized for their charitable and humanitarian efforts off the field.
The lingering impact of Clemente is felt around baseball, because he was so much more than just a player, he was the kind of generous soul who could inspire greatness in others.
And for the nine Latino players who took the field tonight and made history, one can only hope that this lineup is the first of many just like it.
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