The team is honoring the Dominican, Mexican, Central America and Puerto Rican communities
For three more nights this June, the Trenton baseball team will have a new moniker.
El Trueno de Trenton will take the field on three Saturday nights, to honor the Dominican Republic (against Harrisburg June 1), Mexico and Central America (against Erie June 8), and Puerto Rico (against New Hampshire June 29). The last two of those nights will follow Friday night contests in which the team will be the Thunder Pork Roll.
"We are pleased to announce that during three games in the month of June, we will rebrand ourselves as El Trueno de Trenton," Thunder General Manager Jeff Hurley said. "Trueno is a direct Spanish translation of the Thunder name that has been with us since our inaugural season in 1994. The vibrant Trueno moniker aims to represent the city of Trenton, and its Latino community, within our ballpark.
The team will wear specially designed uniforms and hats for the three games, with teal the primary color and lemon yellow for the sleeves and brim of the hat. The pants will remain the iconic white pinstripes that have come to symbolize the Yankees' organization throughout the world.
It is all part of the Copa de la Diversion, or "Fun Cup", initiative that was started two years ago by Minor League Baseball.
"We are excited to unveil the Thunder's participation in Minor League Baseball's Copa de la Diversion," Thunder Broadcast and Media Relations Assistant Spenser Smith said. "Copa de la Diversion is a season long event series, designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with participating team's local U.S. Hispanic and Latino communities."
Hurley, the reigning Eastern League General Manager GM of the Year, is excited to have another opportunity to honor an important part of the local community.
"Copa de la Diversion started in 2017 with four teams, and will grow to over 72 this season," Hurley said. "We are looking forward to hopefully seeing this grow to every minor league team in the future.
"The Latin community has a significant impact, both on the game of baseball, and the capital city. Trenton is home to approximately 30,000 Hispanic and Latino residents, which accounts for about 35 percent of the city's population. In addition, about 30 percent of Trenton's population are native Spanish speakers.
"I am thrilled to welcome and celebrate all Hispanic and Latino community members this summer at Arm & Hammer Park."
The press conference, which was held in both English and Spanish, was translated by Carlos Avila, who is a member of the Mercer County Council for Young Children. There will be a kickoff event for the community Monday night at 6:30 p.m., at the Boys and Girls Club in Trenton.
"Today's events do not end after this press conference," Hurley said. "Starting at 6:30 at the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton, we will have a kickoff party to introduce the Trueno de Trenton into the community. Staff members and Boomer, among others, will be in attendance to celebrate this initiative.
"We are really looking forward to not only the 2019 season, our 26th, but the Copa de la Diversion initiative. with El Trueno de Trenton. It is going to be an exciting year."
Contact Sean Miller at seanmillertrentontimes@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheProdigalSean
