Some 5,000 fans showed up for the First Manny Mota Celebrities Classic held at the Quisqueya Ball Park in Santo Domingo. Major League greats José Canseco, Andruw Jones, Todd Hundley, Raul Mondesi, Vladimir Guerrero, Neifi Perez, Henry Rodriguez, Quilvio Veras, Moises Alou, Jose Mesa, Robinson Perez Checo and others, many dressed in shorts, showed their talents at the fun afternoon. Mota said he will try to make the event an annual affair at the Quisqueya Ball Park or another stadium in the country. The celebrities were also on hand to sign autographs for the fans, and take photos with the children. Other Dominican public figures that showed up for the show, were Mayor Johnny Ventura; president of the Senate Ramón Alburquerque, Merengue bands leaders Fernando Villalona and Kinito Mendez, and TV investigative reporter Nuria Piera. Bienvenido Rojas, sports editor of El Siglo, was proud to out José Canseco.
