Yankees celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

The Yankees announced Friday the organization’s continued celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. As part of this year’s initiative, the Yankees have published the first Spanish-language issue of Yankees Magazine, the club’s flagship publication. Also, nine-time Grammy Award-winner Jose Feliciano and Grammy-nominated salsa singer Frankie Negron will each take part in activities celebrating the month during the Yankees’ final regular season homestand.

Yankees Magazine has been the team’s game-day program since its inception in 1980 and has strived to exceed the expectations normally associated with a team-based periodical. In August of 2011, the magazine was the first official team publication in American professional sports to dedicate an issue to women. This month’s inaugural Spanish-language issue continues the publication’s dedication to serve its loyal readers in new and engaging ways. The magazine may be purchased online at http://www.yankees.com/publications and http://www.yankeesbeisbol.com or by phone at (800) GO-YANKS (800-469-2657).

“As part of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, we are thrilled to publish the first ever Spanish-language edition of Yankees Magazine,” Yankees Director of Latino Affairs Manuel Garcia said. “Our talented publications department did a phenomenal job on this historic initiative. I am truly proud of their work – and I know our fans will be as well. The Yankees always strive to be at the forefront, and this is yet another example of that tradition.”

Feliciano will sing “God Bless America” at Yankee Stadium Wednesday, Sept. 19, during the seventh-inning stretch of the Yankees’ 7:05 p.m. game against the Blue Jays. Feliciano, a veteran recording artist of nearly 50 years, has earned Grammy Awards in several categories, including Best New Artist (1969), Contemporary Pop Male Vocalist (1969) and Best Tropical Latin Album for Señor Bachata (2009).

Negron will perform the national anthem prior to the Yankees-Blue Jays game Thursday, Sept. 20, also scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The New Jersey-born and raised singer has released nine critically-acclaimed albums since 1997, earning him several Billboard Award nominations as well as being described by online music service AllMusic as the salsa genre’s “next definitive voice.” In addition, Negron is heavily involved in his community through organizations such as the American Diabetes Association and the American Red Cross.

“Having a music legend such as Jose Feliciano, as well as Grammy-nominated artist Frankie Negron, join us for this year’s celebration is very exciting,” Garcia said. “I am sure our fans will truly enjoy their performances.”

The Yankees will also commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month with several on-field ceremonies at the Stadium by highlighting a variety of important platforms. Among them is the fifth annual Hispanic Heritage Month Community Achievement Awards Friday, Sept. 14, which recognize those who proudly serve the residents of the Bronx in the areas of the arts (El Museo del Barrio), athletics (Bronx YMCA), business (White Rose) and education (RMHC/HACER Scholarship Program).

Winning players from the Mariano Rivera and Robinson Cano Youth Baseball Tournaments, which are hosted by the Dominican Sports Foundation of New York, will be honored Tuesday, Sept. 18, and five students from the League of Puerto Rican Women who received scholarships from the Yankees Foundation will be recognized Wednesday, Sept. 19. The celebration will be capped off Saturday, Sept. 22, when http://www.latinobaseball.com presents the 2012 Yankees Latino MVP Award to Rafael Soriano.

Fans can learn more about these events by visiting the team’s official Spanish-language website, http://www.yankeesbeisbol.com, and clicking on the special Hispanic Heritage Month section. While there, fans can also participate in an online sweepstakes for the opportunity to win tickets to the final regular season home game at the Stadium Wednesday, Oct. 3, against the Red Sox.