Juan Marichal, the 2006 Hispanic Heritage Honoree for Sports, is one of the most celebrated pitchers in Major League Baseball history.  His 16-year career  led him to become the first Dominican National Baseball Hall of Famer.  

Born in Laguna Verde, Dominican Republic, Mr. Marichal  began his professional baseball career with the Escogido Leones of the Dominican Baseball League and was later signed by the San Francisco Giants.  Known for his high-kick delivery and spectacular control, Mr. Marichal won 243 games and lost only 142 with a 2.89 ERA and 2,303 strikeouts. His impressive career included six 20-win seasons, a no-hitter in 1963, and nine All-Star appearances.  Mr. Marichal led the league in fewest walks allowed per nine innings four times, and over his entire career he walked less than two batters per nine innings. Mr. Marichal earned a well-deserved place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, and his uniform No. 27 has been retired by the Giants.   

Long recognized for his civic involvement, Mr. Marichal founded the Juan Marichal Little League team in Washington Heights, NY, in 1997 with assistance from the Dominican Consulate.  He was also appointed by Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez as liaison between the Dominican government and the major leagues in 2004 and served as the Dominican Republic’s sports minister from 1996-2000.  Mr. Marichal currently serves as a commentator for ESPN Deportes with the network’s telecasts of the Dominican Baseball League.