Latino Day with the Toledo Mud Hens on July 23

By Carla Soto, La Prensa Entertainment Editor 

The 4^th Annual Latino Scholarship Day with the Toledo Mud Hens is this Sunday, July 23 according to Bob Salazar, a member of the Spanish American Organization (SAO), that is promoting the event in collaboration with La Prensa.
 

“Last year 464 tickets were sold and this year we expect sales to exceed 550,” said Salazar.

“Tickets are $10, with $8 going to the Toledo Mud Hens and $2 being retained for Latino Scholarships to Owens Community College.”  $500 will also be awarded to a senior of St. Francis de De Sales High School, who is a member of LASSO and plans on attending college.

Seating for the purchased tickets are in sections 117 and 118.

Festivities begin at 5:30PM, with mariachi at the home plate entrance and the folkloric dance group, Imagenes Mexicanas, at the third plate entrance. Entertainment is being provided by the Toledo Mud Hens and El Camino Real restaurant.

Toledo Councilperson Lourdes Santiago will be presenting resolutions concerning the event at approximately 6:10PM, with the National Anthem being sung by Toledo diva Yvonne Ramos.

Scholarships will be awarded to: Audrey Erard and Ann Pasquinelly of Lourdes College and Stephanie Smith and Ashley Smith of Owens Community College. Also, two to-be-announced LASSO students.  

Game time is 6:30PM, with the Mud Hens playing the Durham Bulls.

This year the Toledo Mud Hens has two active Latinos on its roster—Humberto Sánchez and David Espinosa.

Sánchez, 23, is a right-handed pitcher and hails from the Dominican Republic. He was originally drafted by Los Angeles in 2000, and went 8-1 with an ERA of 1.17 in 12 games to earn the NJCAA Region II Pitcher of the Year in 2002. 

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This is his first year with the Mud Hens.

In an interview with Carla Soto of La Prensa, Sánchez stated, “I would like to be like Pedro Martínez and my dream is to play with the Detroit Tigers.

“I hope that Latinos stay together and accomplish their goals and always go forward.”

Espinosa, 24, hails from Caracas, Venezuela, and played outfield for the Mud Hens for one month last year, after being acquired by the Tigers from Cincinnati.

Both Sánchez and Espinosa will be on hand to sign autographs, scheduled for 5:30PM. Fireworks are on the agenda for the evening.