Recapping a Festive Year for the Zorros de Somerset!

Return of the Zorros!

As part of Minor League Baseball’s “Copa de la Diversion” program, in 2022 the Somerset Patriots debuted as the Zorros de Somerset, beginning a yearly tradition of honoring and embracing Hispanic heritage in baseball.

For their involvement in the program during the 2022 season, Minor League Baseball recognized the Somerset Patriots as 2022 champions finalist for the "Copa de la Diversión" program.

“Copa de la Diversion” or “Fun Cup” is a season-long event series specifically designed by MiLB to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with MiLB teams' local U.S. Hispanic communities.

After their inaugural season as the Zorros was welcomed with passion and excitement both on and off the field, the Zorros continued to establish their place in baseball by hosting five more Copa games during the 2023 season.

The Zorros de Somerset are thrilled to be participating in @MiLB's #CopaDeLaDiversion program again for the 2023 season!🦊 pic.twitter.com/6v4qqct1d3

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) March 21, 2023

Who are the Zorros?

Zorros de Somerset, Spanish for Somerset Foxes, is a nod to a fox that frequently visited TD Bank Ballpark throughout 2020. The elusive animal was only seen on security camera footage and pictures from afar until it made a grand entrance right before the start of the Patriots press conference announcing the partnership with the New York Yankees.

The primary logo, created by award-winning designer Ryan Foose, featured orange and bright blue variations of the Patriots usual maroon and navy. The use of the vibrant colors are aimed at representing Latin culture.

The bright blue hat features the Zorro head logo and an orange bill. The jersey is orange with pattern sleeves and Zorros de Somerset across the chest in blue lettering outlined in white. Each sleeve has a special Copa patch honoring the program. The numbers on the back are navy blue.

Walking off to the weekend pic.twitter.com/gNHMPUUNoE

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) May 20, 2023

Somerset's first season as the Zorros in 2022 featured a 4-1 overall record and two walk-off wins, one of which was one of the defining moments in franchise history.

On June 26, 2022, the final day of the first half, Somerset clinched its first ever playoff berth as the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate with a 6-5 extra innings victory. The game was won with a walk-off, two-run homer by former Yankees top prospect Anthony Volpe (whose last name is the Italian translation for “fox”).

With a tough act to follow on the field from 2022, Somerset's 2023 Copa campaign was met with further success. The Zorros finished the season with an overall record of 6-3 and two more walk-off wins.

The first of those came on May 19. The Zorros overcame a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 on a ninth inning, walk-off sacrifice fly by T.J. Rumfield over the Luchadores de Reading. Lisandro Santos of Santiago, Dominican Republic, earned his first win as a member of the Yankees organization with 2.1 scoreless innings of relief that opened up the door for the walk-off win.

On June 25, the Patriots suited up as the Zorros on the final day of the first-half for a second straight season. Two days after having clinched a playoff berth, all eyes remained on the Zorros, as LHP Carlos Rodon started on a Major League rehab assignment for the New York Yankees.

In just his second appearance as a member of the Yankees organization, Rodon donned the Zorros orange and spun four shutout innings to start the game vs. the Gatos Feroces de New Hampshire.

Also in the game, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic's own, Jeisson Rosario picked up one of his 20 multi-hit games on the season.

Copa Rodón #RepBX #Copadeladiversion pic.twitter.com/rdCPLpy1J6

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) June 25, 2023

On July 27, the Zorros' walk-off winning ways returned with a 10th inning victory over the Cangrejos Fantasmas de Chesapeake. Mickey Gasper supplied a walk-off single to leave his mark on one of Somerset's franchise record nine extra-innings wins in 2023.

The winning pitcher in the game was La Romana, Dominican Republic's own, Jesus Liranzo. Liranzo picked up his first win as a member of the Yankees organization with two scoreless frames, while striking out four batters.

Somerset's Copa finale at TD Bank Ballpark in 2023 featured one of the Zorros' most dominating performances of the season. Starter Drew Thorpe made his third Double-A start and improved to 3-0 with 6.1 dazzling innings that featured nine strikeouts in an 8-1 victory over the Chivos de Hartford.

MICK. THE. KID.@_Mick_the_Kid_ pic.twitter.com/iHUhz3eWtT

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) July 28, 2023

While the Zorros finished their home slate of five games with a record of 3-2, they also partook in four Copa games on the road, posting a 3-1 record with several memorable performances.

On April 27 in Harrisburg, Barquisimeto, Venezuela's Eduardo Torrealba broke out with his first two hits of the season to go along with three RBIs in a 7-5 win over the Playeros de Harrisburg.

The Zorros' final showing of the 2023 season amounted in one of the most dominant individual pitching performances of the season. Eastern League Pitcher of the Year Richard Fitts put an exclamation point on his career-best campaign when he struck out a career-high 11 batters in New Hampshire as part of a 3-2 win, while dressed in Zorros' orange.

For every Copa game, TD Bank Ballpark was adorned with festive decorations and featured food, music, performances and more to highlight the Hispanic community.

In two seasons as members of MiLB's Copa de la Diversion program, the Zorros de Somerset have made a lasting impact on the Somerset Hispanic community in bringing Hispanic heritage and culture to TD Bank Ballpark in harmony with baseball throughout their time as the Yankees' Double-A affiliate.

The Patriots look to expand on the success from the first two seasons of their Copa campaign to continuing helping grow excitement for the Hispanic community and fans in the game of baseball.