Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month and #NuestroBaseball in Springfield, MA

Since 1989, September 15th through October 15th has illuminated the beauty across the Hispanic and Latinx diaspora by way of Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month. This particular Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and fully acknowledge the history, culture, and achievements of those who identify as Latinx and Hispanic in the United States. Additionally, this time frame honors the multiple independence days of different Latin countries such as Costa Rica, Honduras, and El Salvador.

For decades, the field of baseball has been transformed and reinvented by Hispanic and Latinx players globally. This is especially true within the city of Springfield where we have a rich legacy of unsung players who have changed the game for the better. To further commemorate this time and in conjunction with the Smithsonian’s #NuestroBaseball,we are sharing stories about a few of these local Baseball trailblazers that will make you say “who knew?”

In 1959, the Springfield Giants won the Eastern League pennant and playoff championship with a core of young Latino stars. In this picture, Marichal, Alou, and Mota all went on to stardom in the major leagues. “Ray” Alomar never made the majors, however, Sandy Alomar had an extensive career in the majors. Ray would also be the uncle of two more Alomar big leaguers, Roberto & Sandy Alomar, Jr. Juan Marichal became the first native of the Dominican Republic to earn election to the Hall of Fame.

Isan Xavier Diaz, born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, is Baseball history in the making! A graduate of Springfield Central High School, he was recruited to play for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second round, with the 70th overall selection, of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. In 2016, Diaz was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers where he won the Minor League Player of the Year Award on behalf of the organization and was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League. Currently, Isan is a second baseman for the Miami Marlins. In 2019, the Marlins promoted him to the Major Leagues after being added to their 40 man roster and named as a part of the 2019 All -Star Futures Game. This year, he achieved his first career grand slam which is no doubt the first of many! 

Here is a clip of Diaz’s major league debut which commenced with his first home run again the New York Mets in 2019.

As we continue to work to reflect our diverse museum community, we are equally excited to indulge in the stories of Hispanic and Latinx folks in our area who were trailblazers in the field of Baseball and beyond.

Savannah Taylor is a member of the Marketing Team at the Springfield Museums. A recent graduate of Syracuse University, Taylor studied African American history and communications. She is a life-long Springfield resident.