Joel Peralta is immortalized: Gigantes del Cibao retire number 62
A night filled with nostalgia and glory was experienced at the Julián Javier Stadium in San Francisco de Macorís, where the Gigantes del Cibao paid a historic tribute to former pitcher Joel Peralta. In an emotional ceremony prior to the matchup against the Águilas Cibaeñas, the organization proceeded with the official retirement of number 62, worn by the man remembered by the fans as “El Guapo de Bonao”.
The event began with the screening of an emotional documentary that reviewed Peralta’s impeccable career in winter baseball. The audiovisual piece featured testimonies from prominent figures of the diamond such as Luis Arráez, Moisés Sierra, Brayan Peña, and the star Nelson Cruz, who highlighted the importance and impact of the relief pitcher on the San Francisco de Macorís franchise.
An indelible legacy in San Francisco
The Gigantes del Cibao board of directors was present to lead the honors. Alfredo Acebal, the team’s president, presented a commemorative plaque with the retired number, while Rafael Almánzar, marketing manager, gifted a painting with the pitcher’s image, immortalizing his time with the institution.
With this recognition, Peralta’s 62 joins a select group of retired numbers that already adorn the stadium’s presidential box, such as:
- Number 7: Fausto Cruz and Pedro Feliz
- Number 18: Nelson Cruz
- Number 13: Erick Almonte
- Number 34: Efraín Valdez
Thanks for everything to the Gigantes del Cibao, always grateful first to God for a long career in San Francisco de Macorís, where it served as experience for me to perform well in the Major Leagues. From today on there will be no “Guapo de Bonao” but “Guapo de San Francisco”, because the present and future generations will forever remember that number 62 jersey that gave the team so much glory.
Joel Peralta
Peralta, visibly moved, thanked the franchise for valuing his 13 seasons of dedication and professionalism in Dominican baseball. The ceremony concluded with a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the San Francisco sky, closing an unforgettable evening for Dominican sports with a flourish.
