NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – The New York Mets announced on Thursday that it’s celebrating the history of their Latino members by opening up the Mets Latin American Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame seeks to honor contributions made by Latinos to the Mets organization over the past seven decades, the statement read.
“We are thrilled to establish the Mets Latin American Hall of Fame,” shared Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen said. “It’s a pivotal move to honor the Latin culture within our organization and the individuals who have significantly impacted our franchise. We want our young players and staff in the Dominican Republic to walk by this Hall of Fame each day and feel a profound sense of pride and representation.”
The class features coach and advisor Osvaldo José “Ozzie” Virgil Pichardo and renowned Mets Spanish broadcaster Juan José Alicea.
The Hall of Fame will be at the Mets Academy in the Dominican Republic in Boca Chica.
Virgil, 91, was the first Dominican-born player in Major League Baseball when he debuted with the New York Giants on Sept. 23, 1956. His career spanned nine seasons coupled with an extensive stint in the Dominican Winter League from 1955 to 1970.
Virgil later joined the Mets as a coach and advisor from 2009 to 2021.
Alicea, who passed away at the age of 85 last year, will also be honored. His time with the Mets began in 1969 and he took on many roles including scouting and community relations, before finding his calling in the Spanish broadcasting booth in 1982.
Alicea lent his voice to over 4,000 Mets games and played an important role during the 1986 postseason, broadcasting to audiences across the United States and Latin America. In recognition of his contributions, the Mets named the Spanish Radio Booth at Citi Field in his honor.
“Ozzie and Juan were true trailblazers in their respective fields, and their impact on our organization has been profound,” the Cohens said. “They are fitting representatives for the inaugural class of the Hall of Fame.”
For future Hall of Fame classes will be determined by an established committee, responsible for nominating players, coaches, broadcasters, or executives based on criteria outlined in the Hall of Fame’s bylaws.