The gardener’s mother Giancarlo stanton born in Puerto Rico, this one does not have Dominican origin, but from PR, even one of his old nicknames of “Stanton Cruz” has a nice story in the MLB.
Jacinta Garay, the mother of the New York Yankees outfielder, Giancarlo stanton, He tried until he could not incorporate the Latin culture in his daily life. Even his son’s name was influenced by Latinity.
In fact, her middle name, Cruz, was her mother’s way of paying tribute to her favorite singer Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa.
As such, on Roberto Clemente Day, Stanton paid tribute to his mother’s Puerto Rican roots. The Yankees slugger proudly sported the old Big One number 21 on the back of his Yankees jersey.
“What (Clemente) represented for the country, the sport and for Latino players in general, it is an honor to be able to wear his number and go out,” he said. Giancarlo stanton.
Clemente has been an important part of Stanton’s life for as long as he can remember. Although her mother was not into sports very much, she had a photo of “El Grande” at her home in Los Angeles.
For Stanton’s mother, Clemente was a Puerto Rican icon. He was the first Boriqua athlete of his time.
Little did she know, this photo informed a lot of what her son became in life.
“It was always very good to see that every day and to become the player that I am and the goals that I wanted to achieve,” he said. “How to play in the Major Leagues.”
Giancarlo Stanton getting in touch with his roots
Although Stanton wishes he could identify more with his culture, he says he does not speak Spanish, fondly recalls playing in the second major league series in Puerto Rico. He had only been in the majors for two weeks and wanted to make a good impression.
As such, in his last at-bat of the first game, he hit a deep home run to left field.
Giancarlo stanton He also proudly remembers growing up in a Latino neighborhood in Los Angeles, going to Latino festivals and listening to Latin music. Now, in its fourth season in New York, where the largest population of Caribbean immigrants resides, it has become more in tune with its roots.
“I think that helped me learn more about the culture,” he said. “And obviously being in a clubhouse that plays a lot of music, the food, I’m getting more used to that.”
It has all been an incredible experience for Stanton.
It’s even more amazing to see Stanton and players like him, nearly 50 years after Roberto Clemente’s untimely death, wearing No. 21 alongside current Clemente Award nominees, past winners and other Puerto Rican players.
Via Manuel Gomez.
Giancarlo Stanton Honors Puerto Rican Roots with 21
“What (Clemente) represented to the country, the sport, and to Latin players in general, it’s an honor to be able to wear his number and go out there,” Stanton said.#RobertoClementeDay #Puerto Rico
https://t.co/h4c8JBi2h0– Our Esquina (@OurEsquina) September 16, 2021