Tag Archives: Orlando Cepeda

Adrian Beltre Officially Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame

Posted on by
Reply

Adrian Beltre is officially a Hall of Famer…

The 45-year-old Dominican former professional baseball third baseman and Texas Rangers great was officially welcomed into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday during the annual induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center.

Adrian BeltreBeltre, who finished his 21-year career with 3,166 hits and five Gold Gloves at third base, was enshrined along with Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer and Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, the latter pair becoming baseball’s newest one-team Hall of Famers. That puts the Hall’s membership at 273 among those who entered as players.

Also inducted was longtime manager Jim Leyland, who piloted four teams, including the 1997 World Series champion Florida Marlins. Leyland represented the Detroit Tigers, whom he managed from 2006 to 2013 and led to a pair of American League pennants.

Beltre struck a playful tone with many of his remarks, which he said were “maybe 25%” improvised. He was perhaps buoyed by Hall of Famer David Ortiz, who approached Beltre on stage and patted him on the head. Beltre is famously averse to having his head touched.

“That never relaxes me,” Beltre said. “But it was a little c,ue to go back to the days when I was playing, and it’s like ‘OK, get ready to go out there and do your best with the speech.'”

Beltre, who played with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Rangers, is one of only two players to have over 3,000 hits, 400 homers and at least five Gold Gloves. The other was Willie Mays, who was recognized before the speeches, along with the other Hall of Famers who died since last year’s induction: Whitey Herzog, Brooks Robinson and Orlando Cepeda.

Beltre is the fifth player born in the Dominican Republic to be enshrined, the last being Ortiz — a member of the 2022 Hall class. As with Ortiz, there was a sizable contingent of Dominican fans on hand, along with a strong turnout of Texas fans.

While acknowledging some of his former teammates, Beltre cited retired ace “King Felix” Hernandez, whom he played with in Seattle.

“To that guy who call himself ‘King,'” Beltre said. “I loved [playing] with you. But I loved hitting against you even more.”

The 2½-hour event unfolded under pleasant skies in Cooperstown, a welcome respite for an event that has often taken place in broiling conditions.

Myke Towers Signs Management Deal with Brandon Silverstein’s S10 Entertainment

Posted on by
Reply

Myke Towers is under new management…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, singer and songwriter has signed a management deal with Brandon Silverstein’s S10 Entertainment.

Myke Towers, Brandon Silverstein, S10 EntertainmentThe signing — in partnership with Orlando “Jova” Cepeda of One World Music and Jose “Tito” Reyes  of Casablanca Records — comes on the heels of Towers’ viral hit song “LALA,” which topped Spotify’s Top 50 Global chart and entered at No. 50 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart dated July 15.

“Very excited to be joining Brandon and the S10 family,” Myke said in a statement. “Our visions are aligned and I think Brandon having a clear understanding of my artistic vision and the culture is a win. I am looking forward to continuing to expand globally and the success we have had with ‘LALA’ going #1 is just proof that there is no limit.”

With his latest album, La Vida Es Una, Towers captured his third straight top 10 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart when it debuted at No. 9 on the ranking dated April 8. La Vida Es Una is preceded by Towers’ Easy Money Baby, which peaked at No. 1 on the tally in 2020, and Lyke Mike, his 2021 set that landed a No. 3 spot on the chart.

Myke joins an S10 roster that includes Normani, among other artists.

“S10 has enjoyed incredible success over the past few years and as proud as I am about that, I’m more excited about what we’re working on next,” added Silverstein, CEO and founder of S10. “With notable work in the pipeline for management and publishing, and new projects coming from records and film, I feel like we’re entering a creative renaissance. I’m thrilled to welcome Myke Towers and we’re excited to continue his expansion to new audiences globally.”

Cepeda to Have Street Named After Him in San Francisco

Posted on by
Reply

Orlando Cepeda will see his name on a street sign soon…

The 79-year-old Puerto Rican retired first baseman, who made his Major League Baseball debut with the San Francisco Giants in April 1958, will receive a ceremonial sign for a street that will be named in his honor in the Bay City.

Orlando Cepeda

It’s all part of the redevelopment of the old Candlestick Park site.

Cepeda, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, played for the Giants from 1958 until 1966.

During a career that lasted sixteen years, he also played with the St. Louis Cardinals, helping the team win the World Series in 1967, as well as the Atlanta Braves (1969–72), Oakland Athletics (1972), Boston Red Sox (1973), and Kansas City Royals.

Other San Francisco iconic athletes to have a name after them include San Francisco 49ers legends Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and coach Bill Walsh, as well as former Giants players Willie Mays and Barry Bonds.

Gonzalez Sets MLB Record By Hitting Five home runs in the Dodgers’ First Three Games

Posted on by
Reply

Adrian Gonzalez is batting his way into the history books…

The 32-year-old Mexican-American baseball player, known by his nicknames A-Gon and Gonzo, set a Major League Baseball (MLB) record by clubbing five home runs in the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ first three games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Adrian Gonzalez

Gonzalez, who had gone 3-for-5 with a home run in each of the Dodgers’ first two games against the San Diego Padres, homered in his first three at-bats against Andrew Cashner on Wednesday night in the series finale, a 7-4 win for Los Angeles.

“I was able to run into three fastballs and I thank God they were able to go over the fence. It’s definitely right up there as a personal feat,” Gonzalez said.

He homered in the first and led off the third with another homer, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 5-2. He led off the fifth with his third homer and took a curtain call from the dugout steps.

It’s the first three-homer game of the first baseman’s career. Gonzalez homered in four consecutive at-bats dating to Tuesday before his RBI single in the sixth.

Fittingly, Gonzalez received his Silver Slugger award from last season before the game. Then he went out and had a four-hit game to go with consecutive three-hit games Monday and Tuesday, becoming the first National League player with three hits in each of his first three games since Orlando Cepeda had three straight three-hit games in 1963.

Asked whether he felt locked in coming out of spring training, Gonzalez said, “I didn’t feel good at all, but I didn’t game plan, either, and I wasn’t mentally involved, either.”

Each of Gonzalez’s home runs Wednesday was a solo shot.

He led the major leagues with 116 RBIs in 2014.

Gonzalez is the first Dodger to hit three in a game since teammate Juan Uribe did so against Arizona on Sept. 9, 2013. He’s the third player in franchise history to homer in his first three games, joining Jimmy Wynn in 1974 and Carl Furillo in 1955.