Iconic radio broadcaster Rafael “Felo” Ramirez, long recognized as the Spanish “Voice of the Marlins” and for connecting generations of Spanish-speaking radio listeners to the sport of baseball in his 70-plus years on air, now has a Miami-Dade baseball field named after him.
The field naming is the result of a Miami-Dade County resolution sponsored by Miami-Dade County District 10 Commissioner Javier D. Souto and approved by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) in September.
On Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 5 p.m., Ramirez joined baseball-loving fans, representatives from the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and Commissioner Souto at Tropical Park’s baseball field No. 3, 7900 SW 40 St., to officially dedicate the newly named “Rafael ‘Felo’ Ramirez Baseball Field.”
“It is an honor to be able to name this field for ‘Felo.’ This highly regarded radio journalist is most beloved amongst Hispanic baseball fans in our community,” Souto said. “I am fortunate to have been part of his radio listening audience over the years.
“His play-by-play commentary for Marlins games is truly a virtual experience. It makes you feel like you are right there at the ballpark. And his persona behind the microphone is equally awe-inspiring,” Souto added.
“Miami-Dade Parks is proud to be part of the county’s rich history and to be able to honor one of its history makers in this way,” said George Navarrete, Miami-Dade Parks director. “Rafael Felo Ramirez Baseball Field at Tropical Park will be a living tribute to the legendary sportscaster who has touched so many lives and will continue to inspire the love of baseball.”
The Cuban-born 93-year-old Ramirez, affectionately known by radio fans and colleagues as “El Orgullo de Bayamo” (“The Pride of Bayamo,” his hometown), remains the principal Spanish broadcaster for every Miami Marlins baseball game (since 1993) on Radio Mambi (710 AM).
A true pioneer of baseball broadcasting, Ramirez began his announcing career at Radio Salas in Havana (1945). From there he went on to Puerto Rico and Venezuela, calling action for such illustrious baseball teams as the Cagua Natives, Santurce Crabs, San Juan Senators, and Magallanes.
For decades to follow, Ramirez shared his microphone with his personal idol and fellow Hall of Fame broadcaster Buck Canel on the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports, a show which aired on more than 200 Spanish radio stations.
Among his accolades, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the Ford C. Frick Award recipient (2001), for his “major contributions to the game of baseball.” In his milestones, Ramirez lent his voice to more than 40 Caribbean World Series games and dozens of World Series and All Star Games broadcasts throughout Latin America. His many baseball moments include Hank Aaron’s 715th home run, Roberto Clemente’s 3,000th career hit, Don Larsen’s perfect World Series game, and the Marlins 1997 and 2003 World Series.
