The biggest headline at Citi Field on November 15 might not be a former Major Leaguer, but an icon who is turning a different direction in the media landscape in Latin America.
Dominican media entrepreneur Santiago Matías “Alofoke” will throw out the first pitch at Citi Field prior to the historic showdown with the DR vs. PR All-Star Game this Saturday.
The 43-year-old from Ensanche Capotillo, Dominican Republic — a neighborhood in Santo Domingo — has been in the media landscape for 25 years, since he toured as a backing vocalist for Dominican rapper Vakero in the early 2000s.
Matías recognized the lack of coverage of Latin urban music in Dominican media, and the enthusiasm of certain artists wherever their events were gave him the confidence in 2006 to start AlofokeMusic, a media group dedicated to covering Urbano artists in the Dominican Republic.
Matías’s company started with the AlofokeMusic website, where he uploaded exclusive content about the underground urban rap movement and rap battles between artists in Latin America. Within months of its launch, the website had thousands of daily visitors, which made him stop his rapping career and dedicate his time to interviewing and writing about other artists in the dembow and reggaeton stratosphere.
During 2013, Matías started Alofoke Radio Show, a radio talk show that interviews urban music celebrities, broadcast on Power 103.7 FM and later on KQ 94.5 FM.
In the same year, Matías started the Fuse Music record label and signed Dominican-American rapper Mark B, positioning him internationally through project collaborations with artists Bad Bunny and Maluma in later years.
In 2021, Matías and reggaeton artist Ozuna bought Sonido Suave, a Spanish-language bolero and ballad radio station serving the nation’s capital. Later that year the media subsidiary was rebranded as Alofoke FM, and its format changed to urban contemporary, which Alofoke Music Group now operates.
Matías also hosts and produces Alofoke Sin Censura, a segment of the Alofoke Radio Show broadcast on KQ 94.5 FM, where he asks special guests personal questions and their opinions on social issues.
Matías’s portfolio has built into an enterprise with interviews on his platform featuring music artists Anuel AA, El Alfa, J Balvin, Natti Natasha, Arcangel, and many more, including political figures such as Dominican Republic vice president Margarita Cedeño de Fernández, former Dominican president Hipólito Mejía, and Dominican presidential candidate Gonzalo Castillo.
Casa Alofoke 2 Takes Center Stage In The Streaming World
All 20 participants that were or are still on Casa Alofoke 2 have their backgrounds listed here.
The 20 participants that are or were (due to cuts) on the Casa Alofoke 2 show are:
Colombian model, TikToker and singer Valeria García
Venezuelan showgirl Diosa Canales
Dominican cook and content creator Mami Nolas, also known as Cara e Pepita
Dominican stylist Luis Santana
Panamanian plus-size model Gracie Bon
Cuban influencer Randy Álvarez, also known as Pollito Tropical
Dominican dembow artist La Perversa
Urban artist Shadow Blow
Comedian Juan Carlos Pichardo Jr.
Influencer Melina Rodriguez
Former MLB player Luis Polonia
Dominican model Dianabel Gómez
Instagram influencer José Manuel de la Cruz, also known as “La Fruta”
Puerto Rican paired social media influencers Jaryel Alexis Román (Jlexis) and Michael Flores
Influencer Julissa Gutiérrez (Magaly)
Instagrammer and comedian Joserny Disla (JD with his Flow)
Venezuelan influencer and singer Daniela Barranco
Comedian Juan Carlos Pichardo Jr.
Dominican influencer Young Swagon
YouTuber Carlos Montesquieu
All the listed contestants that are either active or eliminated on Casa Alofoke 2 are located here, here, and here.
Casa Alofoke 2 started on October 20 and will run until November 27 on YouTube.
Arcangel on October 27 made an appearance on Casa Alofoke 2 and spoke about Bad Bunny’s presence to the world with his Super Bowl Halftime performance in February.
Arcángel speaking about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance in an interview with Alofoke 🎙️
“From Mexico down, people speak Spanish — and this year, everyone’s watching the Super Bowl because El Conejo is there.” 🌎🐰 pic.twitter.com/6ihDsQBaa9
— Access Bad Bunny (@AccessBadBunny) October 27, 2025
Matías has been working to have a special guest close out Casa Alofoke 2 in the next few weeks, along with Bad Bunny possibly making an appearance at the residence.
Matías is a Tigres de Licey fan and threw out the first pitch of their game at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal on November 4.
Matías was also embraced by the organization in their clubhouse.
Matías also threw out the first pitch of one of the games with the Tigres del Licey playing at the 2024 Caribbean Series in Miami at loanDepot Park, prior to the start of the Major League Baseball season.
History Behind International Baseball With Winter League Events On United States Soil
loanDepot park in Miami has had other winter league club events with the Choques de Gigantes in November 2024 and the Serie de las Américas in 2015, along with the annual tournament, the Caribbean Series in late January to early February 2024, featuring the champions of each Caribbean country’s league before MLB spring training.
The Cerro Group will be the promoter for the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente in Puerto Rico vs. Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana All-Star Game at Citi Field, with first pitch at 1 p.m. EST on Saturday, November 15.
The presidents of both the Asociación de Peloteros Profesionales de Puerto Rico, Yamil Benítez, and the Federación Nacional de Peloteros Profesionales de la República Dominicana, Erick Almonte, discussed the logistics for the DR vs. PR All-Star Game.
Tony Flores Galarza is the president of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente, and Vitelio Mejía Ortiz is the president of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana.
Puerto Rico and MLB legend Carlos Delgado will manage the LBPRC team and will have Wilfredo “Coco” Cordero, manager of the Indios de Mayagüez, bench coach Stephen Morales of the Indios de Mayagüez, José “Cheo” Rosado of the Cangrejeros de Santurce, Jose “Cheo” Molina of the Criollos de Caguas, Edwards Guzman of the Gigantes de Carolina, Robinson Cancel of the Senadores de San Juan and Andy Gonzalez of the Leones de Ponce.
Former MLB player and Puerto Rican Carlos Beltrán will also join the PR coaching staff as their bench coach for the All-Star Game on November 15.
Delgado, 53, was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and played 17 seasons in the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays from 1993-2004, the Florida Marlins in 2005, and the New York Mets from 2006-09.
Delgado’s MLB highlights include being selected as an All-Star in 2000 and 2003, winning the Silver Slugger Award in 1999, 2000 and 2003, the American League Hank Aaron Award in 2000, and the Roberto Clemente Award in 2006. He led the AL in RBI in 2003 and hit four home runs in one game on September 25, 2003.
Delgado is also honored in Ontario, Canada with inclusion on the Toronto Blue Jays Level of Excellence.
Delgado was part of the coaching staff for the Puerto Rico national team in the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classic, which reached the championship game both times.
Delgado was also on a segment with New York Mets executive Jay Horowitz and explained to viewers what the PR vs. DR All-Star Game means to the Latin American community.
The Asociación de Peloteros Profesionales de Puerto Rico announced their official roster for the All-Star Game on November 11.
APPPR Roster
Pitchers
Jose De Leon
Ricardo Velez
Osvaldo Berrios
Jorge Lopez
Jose Espada
Yacksel Rios
Luis Leroy Cruz
Jonathan Bermudez
Adalberto Flores
Luis Quinones
Andrew Marrero
Catchers
Martin Maldonado
Brian Navarreto
Roy Morales
Infielders
Yariel Gonzalez
Emmanuel Rivera
Vimael Machin
Luis Vazquez
Isan Diaz
Jack Lopez
Outfielders
Ruben Castro
Nelson Velazquez
Bryan Torres
Johneswy Vargas
Danny Ortiz
Eddie Rosario
Almonte will have for the Dominican Republic All-Star team former MLB player Carlos Gomez as their manager, with a coaching staff consisting of Hector Borg as bench coach, Alex Candelario (pitching coach), Ray Willy Gomez (hitting coach), Willy Otanez (assistant hitting coach), Anderson Hernandez (third base coach), Teuris Olivares (first base coach), Pedro Lopez (infield coach) and Wilton Chavez (bullpen coach).
Gomez, 39, was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and played 13 seasons in MLB with the New York Mets in 2007 and 2019, the Minnesota Twins from 2008-09, the Milwaukee Brewers from 2010-15, the Houston Astros from 2015-16, the Texas Rangers from 2016-17 and the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018.
Gomez was an All-Star in 2013 and 2014, won the Gold Glove Award in 2013, and is in the Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor.
FENAPEPRO announced their official roster for the All-Star Game on November 10.
Hoy Dominicana journalist and Tigres del Licey play-by-play announcer Franklin Mirabal reported on November 11 that Mel Rojas Jr. will replace Miguel Sano on the Dominican Republic roster for the All-Star Game.
FENAPEPRO Roster
Dominican Fenarepo roster (Source)
Pitchers
Cesar Valdez
Roldy Munoz
Raul Brito
Huascar Ynoa
Michael Feliz
Joely Rodriguez
Anderson Pilar
Esmil Rogers
Ulises Joaquin
Jeffrey Yan
Ricardo Rodriguez
Jean Carlos Mejia
Catchers
Francisco Mejia
Webster Rivas
Francisco Pena
Infielders
Aderlin Rodriguez
Robinson Cano
Gustavo Nunez
Rodolfo Castro
Cristian Adames
Angel Genao
Outfielders
Gilberto Celestino
Socrates Brito
Emmanuel Rodriguez
Junior Lake
Emilio Bonifacio
Information on streaming services for LBPRC vs. LIDOM All-Star Game at Citi Field on November 15.
The MLB.TV link is located here with a paid subscription and will televise live the DR vs. PR All-Star Game at Citi Field on November 15.
The All-Star Game will also be televised on WAPA TV in Puerto Rico.
Game tickets can be purchased on here.
There will be two umpires from Puerto Rico, Ángel Rosario and Kelvin Bultron, suited up for the All-Star Game.
The other two umpires from the Dominican Republic will be Felix Tejada and Junior Torres.
Arrieta.Pro will be the apparel for both teams’ jerseys at the All-Star at Citi Field.
All of Arrieta.Pro merchandise can be found at Shop Arrieta and Arrieta.Pro.
Music group IV4 Live will have a pre-game block party on November 15 prior to the All-Star Game.
Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade will perform during the pre-game block party.
Spiderman Dominicano will also make an appearance at the pre-game block party
La Boricualorian will be the other action-hero Spanish icon at the pre-game block party.
Music artist Shantelle will perform the United States national anthem before first pitch
Merengue and bachata singer Hector Acosta “El Torito” will make an appearance at the All-Star Game
Music artist La Mayeya will perform during the pre-game block party
Victor Swing Events will have multiple artists perform at 10 a.m. EST at Citi Field Plaza on November 15.
All other announcements from the All-Star Game will be on Fenapepro, The Cerro Group, and Asociación de Peloteros Profesionales de Puerto Rico.
Notebook — The last Latin-American Baseball All-Star Game event in New York City was the 1963 Hispanic All-Star Game at the Polo Grounds on October 12, 1963, and it was also the last baseball game in the venue’s history. The 1963 Hispanic All-Star Game was the only time the event was ever held to feature players from both the American League and National League.
Only 14,235 people attended the game in the 55,000-seat uptown colossus. According to Michael Clair of MLB.com, “the All-Star game raised funds for retired Latino players and the ‘Hispanic-American Baseball Federation’ to provide equipment to youth players.”
Many Latin greats such as Hall of Famers Luis Aparicio, Roberto Clemente, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda, Tony Oliva and Minnie Minoso played in the 1963 Hispanic All-Star Game at the Polo Grounds. Caribbean Series Hall of Famers and Major League greats Felipe Alou, Manny Mota, Vic Power and Diego Segui participated as well.
The National League Hispanic All-Stars defeated the American League All-Stars 5-2 during the only Hispanic All-Star Game and the final baseball game at the Polo Grounds. The National League won three events in Major League Baseball during 1963 with the All-Star Game and the Los Angeles Dodgers sweeping the New York Yankees in the World Series that season.
Photo: Dominican Republic Media Entrepreneur “Alofoke” Santiago Matias Throwing Out First Pitch On Saturday Afternoon Prior To Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico At Citi Field (InstagraM)
