With the San Francisco Giants’ upcoming Filipino Heritage Night 2 (Tuesday, Sept. 23rd) at AT&T Park, Filipinos will have something more to be cheer about- newly acquired Giants’ relief pitcher and Filipino American, Geno Espineli. On Sunday July 20th, he became the 12th Giant to make his major league debut in 2008. Espineli also becomes one of four rookies in the seven-man bullpen. He also becomes the 15th home-grown player on the 25-man roster. Tonight, Espineli recorded his first major league win, as the Giants beat the Washington Nationals 6-4 at AT&T Park!
Born in Texas, Eugene Macalalag “Geno” Espineli was drafted to the San Francisco Giants in 2004. This year, Espineli has been playing for the Triple-A league Fresno Grizzlies. Prior to his major league debut, Espineli was an All-Star for the Pacific Coast League and has been named to the U.S. Olympic Team! Now that he is on the Giants’ active roster, it is still unclear whether Espineli will be going to Beijing in August. Word is that Giants’ media personality and veteran, Mike Krukow, has complimented Espineli for his “funky” style of pitching and uniform appearance (he sports stirrups ala throwback style).
Though a small handful of Filipinos have played for Major League Baseball, Espineli could possibly be the first American-born Filipino major league pitcher? Either way, welcome to the Bay Area, Geno the “Funky Filipino”! We are totally proud to have you here!
[Sources: Henry Schulman, Chronicle Staff Writer]
ADDENDUM: Speaking of Major League Filipinos, here’s another one thanks to my boy Khalil. From San Jose’s Mercury News [http://www.mercurynews.com/giantsheadlines/ci_10052899]:
“A television station from the Philippines arranged interviews with reliever Geno Espineli, who is believed to be the first full-blooded Filipino in the major leagues, and Tim Lincecum, whose mother is Filipina.”
Word is that our SF Giants’ ace Tim Lincecum is a quarter Filipino?! Anyone out there, please confirm…
UPDATE 8/18/08: Thank you Nana (see Comments) for confirming that Tim Lincecum is HALF Filipino. As for Geno, word is that he has been demoted back to the minors. Unfortunate news and we know that’s the business of pro baseball. Regardless, keep it up Geno and we hope to see you back soon!
Is this history in the making or what? First, Filipino Heritage Night I back in May broke a record by selling over 4,500 tickets for a single special event, and now we have Geno Espineli pitching for the Giants! It doesn’t get any prouder my Pinoy/Pinay kababayans!
BTW, Leroid…Bobby “The Filipino Flyer” Balcena was the first Filipino-American to make it to the Major Leagues as a utility infielder with the Cincinnati Reds in 1956. Robert Rudolph “Bobby” Balcena was born on August 1, 1926 in San Pedro California.
While there are ballplayers who are of part Filipino ancestry, it seems that Geno is the second full-blooded, Filipino-American to play in the Majors!
BTW — SF Giants’ Filipino Heritage Night II will also be a fundraiser for the Manilatown Heritage Foundation, so y’all go out there and support both the Giants and Manilatown!
what about Benny Agbayani, is he Filipino?
Yes, Tim is indeed a quarter Filipino (from his mother’s side) – That story can be found in many local newspapers including this one. http://www.sacbee.com/100/v-print/story/340308.html
sfG, yes sir, Benny “Hawaiian Punch” Agbayani is of Filipino decent. I believe the other half is Samoan. As a Giants fan, how dare you mention Benny Agbayani! haha. Shall we recall his game-winning clutch homer against the Giants in the 2000 NL Division Series?!
Tim Lincecum is HALF Filipino