The Reds celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with activities from Tuesday-Friday, capped off by their annual Fiesta Rojos on Friday.

The day full of events kicked off with over 100 students from the Academy of Multilingual Immersion Studies (AMIS), Roberts Academy, and the Academy of World Languages -- who were visiting the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy. Local Latin radio station La Mega started the activities with some music, which allowed the kids to let out some energy on a warm Friday morning in Cincinnati.

The excitement level in the building hit a fever pitch when Reds players Fernando Cruz, Elly De La Cruz, Alexis Díaz, Santiago Espinal, Noelvi Marte and Tony Santillan walked in.

“If I was them right now, I’d be doing the same thing -- running around getting autographs and asking every question I could think of,” Espinal said. “The position that they are in right now, I was in the same position at their age. For me to be able to share the moment with them during the season is more than a blessing.”

Once the special guests settled in, Reds Spanish translator and media relations assistant Jorge Merlos facilitated a Q&A session between the eager students and players. The topics the players were asked about ranged from when the players first took a liking to baseball and when they came to Cincinnati to what their favorite food was and, the highlight of the day, how old they were.

“They thought Cruz was the youngest one, and he’s 34 years old,” Espinal laughed. “He’s the oldest one.”

After the Q&A, the kids broke off into groups, where they had the opportunity to work with the big leaguers on their pitching, hitting and fielding skills. The fun extended beyond baseball, with one of the stations including an introductory lesson to salsa dancing. The field trip concluded with a lunch courtesy of Hot Head Burritos.

That evening, the festivities continued with Hispanic Community Night at the ballpark during the Reds’ annual Fiesta Rojos celebration. Activities included a DJ from La Mega outside the ballpark on Crosley Terrace, Son Del Caribe in the First Star Fan Zone, pregame ceremonies, and in-game activation.

Many of the ceremonies featured members of Cincinnati’s Hispanic community, including the national anthem singer, altafiber Hometown Hero and Kroger First Responder of the Game. Nicholas Castro, assistant dean of inclusive excellence in the Lindner College of Business at the University of Cincinnati, received the Hispanic Heritage Community Advocate Award presented by PNC. In addition, the Reds held their traditional “Parade of Colors” presentation of the flags. Students from AMIS, Roberts Academy, and AWL displayed flags representing the 22 countries in Europe, the Caribbean and North, Central and South America that are honored each year during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Friday was also the fourth and final game of the season attended by guests of the “Amigos de los Rojos” program, sponsored by Reds players Jeimer Candelario, Cruz, Díaz, Espinal and Nick Martinez, along with former Red Frankie Montas. The players’ contributions go toward providing game tickets, concession vouchers, Rojos hats and transportation to nearly 400 fans from local Hispanic and Latino organizations for select games throughout the season.

The day was packed full of events and activities, but the Reds’ Hispanic Heritage Month celebration had already started days prior.

On Wednesday, Reds pitcher Brent Suter was recognized on the field as the team’s nominee for Major League Baseball’s annual Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Capital One. The Clemente Award is given annually to a player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. The team was out of town during MLB’s annual Clemente Day, which took place in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month beginning on Sept. 15, so the Reds honored the Pirates legend and humanitarian when the team returned to town.

Since joining the Reds in January, Suter, an Archbishop Moeller High School graduate, has been a mainstay in the community. Suter is a frequent visitor to both the Reds Youth Academy -- where he works with young athletes -- and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where he visits patients. In April, he partnered with La Soupe, a local organization that rescues food and uses it to make soup and meals for the less fortunate around the city. This summer, Suter participated in a Players for the Planet initiative in the Bond Hill neighborhood, the location of the 2024 RCF Community Makeover. And in conjunction with the Makeover, he helped underwrite the purchase and delivery of 30 beds through his connection to local nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Suter selected the Sam Hubbard Foundation to be the recipient of the $7,500 donation that is associated with each nominee of the Roberto Clemente Award. He previously partnered with the foundation by sponsoring Hubbard’s Cupboard through Crayons to Computers. Matt Kittell, executive director of the Sam Hubbard Foundation, accepted the check on the foundation’s behalf. The foundation was created by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Hubbard, who -- like Suter -- is also a Moeller graduate.

“To be nominated for an award as prestigious as this, Roberto Clemente meant so much to the game on and off the field … it’s an absolute dream come true,” Suter told SiriusXM’s MLB Radio.

Then, on Thursday, Díaz and De La Cruz were each presented with a 2023 LatinoMVP Award. Díaz received the 2023 National League Reliever/Closer of the Year honors, while De La Cruz earned 2023 NL Rookie of the Year recognition. Established in 1990, the LatinoMVP is the oldest and most prestigious award given to Latin MLB athletes. This marks the first time that two of the award winners are from the same team.

Read more about Fiesta Rojos and the Reds’ Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at reds.com/fiestarojos.