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Hispanic Heritage
Hispanic Heritage
Hispanic Heritage The players for the Detroit Tigers are from many countries, united by a passion for baseball. For decades, baseball marveled at the skills and talent of players in Cuba, Mexico and Puerto Rico, but systematically barred them from participation. When Ozzie Virgil stepped on the field at Briggs Stadium in 1958, the Tigers took the first step in becoming a global team. Thanks to talented, proud men like Aurelio Lopez, Guillermo Hernandez, Magglio Ordoñez, Carlos Guillen, Placido Polanco and many more, the impact of Latino players on Tigers baseball history is significant.

HISPANIC TIGERS PLAYERS IN THE NEWS
Miguel Cabrera Wins AL Home Run Title
Cabrera became the first Tigers player to lead the league in home runs since Cecil Fielder in 1990, and the third Venezuelan-born player to earn the honor. Full story »

Ordoñez receives Clemente Award
Magglio Ordoñez was named the Detroit Tigers' recipient of the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevy.
Full story »

Ordoñez Scholarship
The reigning American League batting champion and Tigers team MVP officially announced the Ordonez Family Scholarship.
Full story »

Cabrera honored as Tiger of the Year
After becoming Detroit's first home run champion in 17 years, Cabrera was the overwhelming choice for the annual Tiger of the Year Award. Full story »

Polanco wins first Gold Glove
Polanco's first Gold Glove was a product of statistically flawless play at second base. He went the entire 2007 season without being charged a single error. Full story »

Silver Sluggers
Another first-time honor to the list for Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco, and another honor to a growing list for outfielder Magglio Ordoñez. Full story »

World Baseball Classic - Dodger Stadium will host the semifinals and finals of 2009's second World Baseball Classic on March 21 and 23. Full story »

VIDEO
Carlos Guillen
Tiger Carlos Guillen hits for the cycle August 1, 2006, collecting a single, double, triple, and home run. Watch »

Magglio Ordoñez
Watch as Maggs hits two home runs in one exciting inning on August 12, 2007. Watch »

Ordoñez' pennant winning HR October 2006 »

Cabrera's walk-off HR June 12, 2007 »

Polanco's 5-for-5 night in Anaheim, 2007 »

DOWNLOADS
Download the ¡Fiesta Tigres! poster »

Download the 2008 Spanish pocket schedule »

( Adobe Reader Required. Download now »)

PHOTO GALLERIES
2008 ¡Fiesta Tigres!
Tigers players and fans enjoy this annual celebration of hispanic heritage at Comerica Park.
Launch Gallery »

2007 ¡Fiesta Tigres!
See how fans and the Tigers joined in the celebration during the 2007 baseball season.
Launch Gallery »

PAST TIGERS PLAYERS
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  
OZZIE VIRGIL
The first Tigers player from a Spanish-speaking country, Ozzie Virgil made an immediate impact, going 5-for-5 in his Briggs Stadium debut.
MEXICO  
HANK AGUIRRE
Hank Aguirre's Tigers career included an All-Star appearance and league ERA title in 1962, but his establishment of Mexican Industries in Southwest Detroit made him a civic leader in the City. Aguirre's company provided employment for over 900 people for over two decades.
MEXICO  
AURELIO RODRIGUEZ
The sure-handed Rodriguez anchored the left side of the Tigers infield throughout the 1970's. Rodriguez led the American League in fielding percentage twice and won a gold glove in 1976.
PANAMA  
JUAN BERENGUER
The right-handed pitcher from Panama won 25 games for the Tigers during his four-year stint in Detroit. His best year was the World Championship year of 1984 when he went 11-10 with a 3.48 ERA.
MEXICO  
AURELIO LOPEZ
A member of the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame, Señor Smoke was a fixture in the Tigers bullpen from 1979 to 1985. In 1984, Lopez posted a 10-1 record for the World Champion Detroit Tigers.
PUERTO RICO  
GUILLERMO HERNANDEZ
Arriving in Detroit shortly before the start of the 1984 season, Guillermo Hernandez was a dominant closer for the Tigers. With 32 saves and a 1.94 ERA, Hernandez won the 1984 Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Awards.

PAST TIGERS PLAYERS

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC


Luis de los Santos 1991
Fausto Cruz 1996
Rudy Pemberton 1995
Jose Capellan 2007
Luis Garcia 1999
Ramon Peña 1989
Marino Santana 1998
Eulogio De La Cruz 2007
Francis Beltran 2008
Mel Rojas 1999
Pedro Santana 2001
Deivi Cruz 1997-2001
Juan Encarnacion 1997-2001
Carlos Peña 2002-2005
Luis Polonia 1999-2000
Danny Bautista 1993-1996
Juan Samuel 1994-1995
Franklyn German 2002-2005
Jose Lima 1994-2002
Junior Felix 1994
Alexis Gomez 2005-2006
Alejandro Sanchez 1985
Esteban Yan 2004
Nelson Cruz 1999-2000
Neifi Perez 2006-2007
Fernando Hernandez 1997
Beiker Graterol 1999
Geronimo Berroa 1998
Andujar Cedeño 1996
Jose Paniagua 2002
Julio Santana 2002
Elias Sosa 1982
Victor Santos 2001
Roman Colon 2005-2006
Roberto Duran 1997-1998
Timo Perez 2007
Jose Bautista 1997
Francisco Cordero 1999
Denny Bautista 2008
Jose Mesa 2007
Roberto Novoa 2004
Luis Piñeda 2001
Willis Roberts 1999
Aquilino Lopez 2007-2008
MEXICO
Aurelio Rodriguez 1971-1979
Aurelio Lopez 1979-1985
Karim Garcia 1999-2000
Gabe Alvarez 1998-2000
Juan Acevedo 2002
Sid Monge 1984
PUERTO RICO


Edwin Nuñez 1989-1990
Omar Olivares 1996-1997
Luis Alvarado 1977
Guillermo Hernandez 1984-1989
Melvin Nieves 1996-1997
Raul Casanova 1996-1998
Jerry Morales 1979
Juan Gonzalez 2000
Andres Torres 2002-2004
Pedro Garcia 1976
Javier Cardona 2000-2001
Ruben Sierra 1996
Mike Rivera 2001-2002
Julio Navarro 1964-1966
Hiram Bocachica 2002-2003
Ed Romero 1990
Julio Gonzalez 1983
Orlando Mercado 1987
Ivan deJesus 1988
Tony Bernazard 1991
Ivan Rodríguez 2004-2008
Colombia
Edgar Renteria 2008
VENEZUELA
Omar Infante 2002-2007
Cesar Gutierrez 1969-1971
Roger Cedeño 2001
Luis Salazar 1988
Wilfredo Ledezma 2003-2007
Felipe Lira 1995-1999
Lino Urdaneta 2004
Ugueth Urbina 2004-2005
Al Pedrique 1989
Oscar Henriquez 2002
Johnny Paredes 1990-1991
Yorman Bazardo 2007-2008
Urbano Lugo 1990
Oscar Salazar 2002
CUBA
Chico Fernandez 1960-1963
Tony Taylor 1971-1973
Barbaro Garbey 1984-1985
Alex Sanchez 2003-2004
Tito Fuentes 1977
Orlando Peña 1965-1967
Sandy Amoros 1960
Orlando McFarlane 1966
Manny Montejo 1961
Ossie Alvarez 1959
PANAMA
Juan Berenguer 1982-1985
Ben Oglivie 1974-1977
Jose Macias 1999-2002
Orlando Miller 1997

CURRENT TIGERS PLAYERS

Rafael Belliard
Dominican Republic Bio »

Placido Polanco
Dominican Republic Bio »

Fernando Rodney
Dominican Republic Bio »

Ramon Santiago
Dominican Republic Bio »

Joel Zumaya
Mexico Bio »

Freddy Dolsi
Venezuela Bio »

Carlos Guillen
Venezuela Bio »

Miguel Cabrera
Venezuela Bio »

Armando Galarraga
Venezuela Bio »

Magglio Ordoñez
Venezuela Bio »