Santo Domingo, DR. The renowned former Major League Baseball slugger, Edwin Encarnación, will be honored with the highest sporting recognition by being elected to the Dominican Republic Sports Hall of Fame, being inducted into immortality in the Class of 2025. Originally from La Romana, Encarnación becomes the fourth athlete selected this year to enter the national sports hall of fame. The induction ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, November 16, in the auditorium of the Hall of Fame, located in the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center.
Dr. Dionisio Guzmán, president of the Hall of Fame’s Permanent Committee, highlighted that the former player’s election was the result of the electronic vote carried out by national sports reporters. So far, Edwin joins Gonzalo Mejía (table tennis) and Beato Miguel “Miguelo” Cruz (volleyball), as well as former player José Offerman, who were also elected for the Class of 2025. During his 16 seasons in the Major Leagues, Encarnación established himself as one of the most outstanding Dominican hitters. He accumulated 424 home runs, drove in 1,261 runs, scored 1,099 runs and maintained a .260 average in 1,969 games. In addition, he hit 370 doubles and recorded an OPS of .846, with an OPS+ of 123. He lived his best years with the Toronto Blue Jays between 2010 and 2016, although he also played for the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and finished with the New York Yankees. He was originally selected by the Texas Rangers in the 2000 Draft. Encarnación participated in three All-Star Games and ranks 54th on the MLB’s all-time home run list. In eight consecutive seasons (2012-2019) he surpassed 30 home runs, including two seasons of 42. His most outstanding year was 2016, when he led the American League in RBIs with 127. In the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM), he left his mark playing with the Águilas Cibaeñas. The 59th Exaltation Ceremony will have as Honorary President the businessman and sportsman Manuel Estrella, president of Grupo Estrella and Cibao Fútbol Club.We appreciate and value the contribution of sports communicators in this process that began on July 22nd and concluded on the 24th of this month.
Dionisio Guzmán, president of the Permanent Committee of the Hall of Fame
