Alex Verdugo, the Boston Red Sox outfielder, is known for his impressive defensive skills and his Mexican heritage, often sporting a glove with the Mexican flag colors and red, white, and green cleats. This has led many to wonder: Does Alex Verdugo Speak Spanish? While Verdugo embraces his Mexican roots, he doesn’t speak Spanish fluently.
Verdugo’s glove, featuring the colors of the Mexican flag, often draws attention. The white webbing sometimes creates the illusion of a “snow-cone catch,” a phenomenon that was widely discussed on social media after a diving catch he made against the Yankees in 2022. Verdugo himself acknowledged the visual effect, saying, “It must just be the white where the pocket is right there.”
Alex Verdugo’s glove features the colors of the Mexican flag. (Courtesy photo, Red Sox media relations)
He proudly wears the glove and his patriotic cleats as a tribute to his father, whose family is from Mexico. Verdugo holds dual citizenship in both the United States and Mexico and played for Team Mexico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. “I love my heritage,” Verdugo stated. “My dad’s proud of it. I’m proud of him. It’s a way to kind of honor him and myself at the same time.”
While Verdugo deeply respects his heritage and connects with his Mexican roots through these outward displays, he primarily speaks English. He grew up in Arizona, where English was the dominant language spoken at home. Though his father is fluent in Spanish, Verdugo never fully grasped the language. “He speaks fluent Spanish,” Verdugo confirmed. “We never got it down because the family spoke English in the household. But he speaks fluent.”
Verdugo’s dedication to his heritage is evident, but his primary language remains English. His focus, beyond honoring his family, is on excelling on the field. He has openly expressed his ambition to win a Gold Glove, highlighting his commitment to defensive prowess. “I’m going for a Gold Glove,” Verdugo declared. “I’ve got to go for a Gold Glove this year.” He emphasizes the importance of consistent defensive effort, stating, “Defense side is something we can control.” His passion for baseball and dedication to improvement are clear, regardless of the language he speaks.
