The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Rebels hire one of their all-time best as coach
When Brian Pellegrini retired from professional baseball in 2011 because of nagging injuries, the 2003 Willoughby South graduate said it was one of the most difficult decisions of his life.
“Mostly because I thought I had a shot (at the majors), and that was because of my power,” said Pellegrini. “But it got to a point where it was hard to take (the injuries) any more.”
A lot of good things have happened for Pellegrini since that disappointment. REBELS » PAGE 5
Of the 50 players in uniform on July 22 as the Captains hosted the Burlington (Iowa) Bees, 25 hail from countries outside the United States and have Spanish as their first language.
That seemed appropriate on Latino Heritage Night at Classic Park, where the Bees prevailed, 5-1.
The high percentage of Hispanic players on the field came as no surprise to Bishop Nelson Jesus Perez, the prelate who has headed the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland since his installation on Sept. 7, 2017.
Perez was at the game at the guest of Captains majority owner Peter Carfagna and his wife, Rita Murphy Carfagna..
Although his duties don’t leave much time for following baseball or the other professional sports, Perez said he’s a baseball fan who “watches all the big games.” The 57-year-old Florida native is aware that upward of 30 percent of major-league players this season are Hispanic.
“I believe the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and these players are some of the most talented in the world,” Perez said.
Throughout a ministry that began with his ordination in 1989, Perez has advocated for people coming to this country from outside its borders. As auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Center, New York, he was Episcopal Vicar for Hispanic Ministry and chair of the Diocesan Advisory Committee for Hispanic Ministry.
Along with other members of the U.S. Conference of Bishops, he has publicly expressed disapproval of recent developments in
U.S. immigration policy enforcement aimed at Spanish-speaking people.
“The bishops have been calling for immigration reform for the last 15 years. The system is broken,” Perez said. “As bishops, we know every sovereign country has the right and obligation to protect its borders. But there needs to be compassion and respect for the dignity of individuals in those policies.”
Perez pointed to the influx of Spanish-speaking players at every level of professional baseball as positive examples of how immigrants enrich this country.
“We all come from somewhere else unless we’re native American,” Perez said. “Immigrants embody the American dream.”
In baseball, Perez sees a unifying element in an increasing polarized society.
“Baseball is family and friends coming together and letting their hair down,” Perez said. “It’s the national pastime and a uniquely American sport.
“It’s hot dogs, apple pie and going to church on Sunday,” he added with a smile.
Against the Bees in the middle game of a threegame series, the Captains mustered only seven hits against Burlington starter and eventual winner Danny Brady (1-3, 5.82 ERA) and two relievers.
Lake County starter Francisco Perez (7-7, 4.08 ERA) absorbed the loss but pitched well. He surrendered three runs on seven hits with nine strikeouts in six innings.