RIP Juan Alicea, 1937-2022

[G-Fafif]

Longtime Mets Spanish-language announcer Juan Alicea has died.

Longtime Mets Spanish radio broadcaster and pioneer Juan Alicea passed away this morning peacefully in his sleep at his home in Florida. He was 85. Alicea joined the organization in April of 1969 and served in a variety of capacities including scouting and community relations before finding his home in the Spanish broadcasting booth in 1982, where he remained through 2019. Alicea was behind the mic for over 4,000 Mets games, including being the leading voice on the International Spanish Network during the 1986 postseason which aired throughout the United States and Latin America. Last year, the Mets named the Spanish Radio Booth at Citi Field in his honor. “Juan was an innovator and pioneer in the Spanish broadcasting field as well as renowned and respected throughout the industry as an extraordinary broadcaster,” said Mets President Sandy Alderson. “He was instrumental in the creation of Hispanic Marketing, Promotions and Community Events. His 50 years of service made him a highly regarded member of the Mets family. He will be greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his son John and granddaughter Damiana.” “Juan was a legendary figure on the Spanish Mets broadcasts,” said Tim Scheld, Brand Manager, WCBS 880. “We've been proud and honored to have worked alongside someone of such character, kindness and talent.” “Juan was not only my role model, but a father figure as well,” said Mets Spanish radio broadcaster Max Perez Jimenez. “We have all lost a true master professor of baseball and all his teachings and wisdom will remain with me forever.”

Edited July 18, 2022 by Guest

[kcmets]

Legendary! Reposar en paz.

[Edgy MD]

As far as I had known, Juan was still doing occasional appearances on the air.



I know he did some significant work as a scout as well. Most of the names elude me now, but Lee Mazzilli and Nino Espinosa were two of the players he championed.

[MFS62]

RIP.



Later

[seawolf17]

As much a Voice Of The Mets as Bob or Ralph or Gary. When I decided to add some non-players to my autograph collection, he was one of the first guys I wrote a letter to.