BOSTON – If you take a look at Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo, you will quickly see the diversity that exists among baseball players making careers in the major leagues.
The reddish hair, the color of her skin, and speaking English as her first language. Growing up in Tucson, Arizona – a city with a high Hispanic population – without the ability to speak Spanish fluently made it difficult for Verdugo to identify with his culture.
“When you don’t speak Spanish, but you’re Mexican, everyone annoys you,” Verdugo said. “They all told me things like, ‘Oh yeah, you’re white,’ and things like that.”
But let no one be confused. Executioner knows very well who he is. And the baseball world is watching it. Its roots are Mexican. His father, Joe, was born in Hermosillo, Sonora, in northern Mexico. Many members of his family still reside there, just a four-hour drive from his native Tucson.
Verdugo is proud to be a Mexican American. He considers playing for Mexico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic to be one of the great achievements of his career. And now that he’s on that big stage of the MLB postseason, which also takes place during Hispanic Heritage Month, he’s using the opportunity to show his pride.
You can see him every time he stands in the batter’s box. In addition to wearing Nike shoes in the colors green, white and red, Verdugo’s right elbow is always pointing towards the mound while at home plate, revealing a white elbow with the Mexican flag in the center.
“For me it means a lot to be here representing,” said Verdugo. “I see how proud my dad is. You can see it in his eyes. It’s a big thing. I am very faithful to my roots and where I am from. It is something special to me. I love the colors. Using them makes me feel a certain way.
At Fenway Park, Verdugo has introduced loyal Boston fans to legendary songs like “Volver Volver” by Vicente Fernández, the iconic singer revered throughout Mexico. The atmosphere at Fenway isn’t as festive as the one Verdugo remembers seeing often at Dodger Stadium during his days with Los Angeles, but he believes the popularity is slowly growing.
“At first they were a little confused,” Verdugo said of the Red Sox supporters. “The answer now is much better. It took some getting used to. Now when I go to bat, I can hear people whistling (the song). Some screaming. There are things going on at Fenway now, so it’s fun to see that evolution. “
Winning over Boston fans is not easy for any player. Only in Verdugo’s case it was even more complicated. Since coming to the Red Sox in the February 2020 Mookie Betts trade, fair or not, Verdugo was immediately seen as the boy called to replace superstar Betts. Thanks to a combination of good production on the ground and great charisma, the 25-year-old patrolman has earned a spot among the fans.
“They love him a lot in Boston,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora of Puerto Rico. “She has a great personality and enjoys being the center of attention.”
On the ground, Verdugo is proving to be someone who can produce at the small hour. After the Patirrojos’ first seven games this postseason, he’s hitting .367 with one home run, three doubles and six RBIs.
“It’s a joy to have him here,” added Cora. “Love this sport. He comes in every day and continues to learn game after game. Offensively, lately, he’s been picking up that production from last year. Being able to wait for his pitches and use the whole field. “
The move to Boston has required adjustments. He’s a long way from Arizona and Los Angeles, the only places he’d lived until 2020. But as fans have come to embrace him, Verdugo is enjoying all that his new home has to offer. However, there is one aspect of Boston that you still haven’t gotten used to.
“In LA, I could finish the game and go outside and there was a taco truck right there,” Verdugo confessed. “I have not found such places in Boston. That has been the worst part of the move ”.
There may be few taco places, but fortunately for Verdugo, Boston offers another option that he is a huge fan of.
“I have given the sea food really hard here,” Verdugo said. “That is the best. Direct from the sea ”.
Now that Verdugo has strengthened those ties with Boston, he is trying to do the same with Mexico, where he is admired by a fan base that constantly supports him via messages and comments on social media. He understands the influence he can have on his father’s homeland, particularly on the next generation. That is why he is trying to improve his Spanish. It is something that could bring you even closer to the country.
“I hope one day to be fluent in Spanish and be completely comfortable speaking it,” Verdugo said. “There are not many Mexicans in the Major Leagues. So when there is one, you know that all of Mexico is watching and supporting it. “
“The kids there are watching us and maybe one day more of them want to play baseball.”
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