Wheaties Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month With New Box Featuring Rafael Palmeiro

Wheaties is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a new special-edition package honoring Texas Rangers slugger Rafael Palmeiro. The package was unveiled today at The Ballpark in Arlington, and will be available nationally this week. Palmeiro joined baseball's elite home run hitters earlier this season when he smacked No. 500 on May 11, becoming only the 19th player in history to achieve that mark.

Palmeiro joined baseball's elite home run hitters earlier this season when he smacked No. 500 on May 11, becoming only the 19th player in history to achieve that mark. He's the only player in major league history to hit at least 38 homers in eight consecutive seasons (1995-2002). A three-time All-American at Mississippi State, Palmeiro began his career with the Chicago Cubs before being traded to Texas. Following a stint with the Baltimore Orioles, he returned to the Rangers in 1999. A four-time All-Star known primarily for his hitting, Palmeiro also earned three consecutive Gold Gloves at first base from 1997 to 1999. “It's a great privilege for me to appear on the Wheaties box, especially as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month,” Palmeiro said.

“To join the remarkable list of great baseball players who have been on the Wheaties box through the years is a big thrill.” “Raffy represents the best ideals that Wheaties stands for,” Wheaties Marketing Manager Brian Kittelson said. “He continues to quietly put up incredible numbers that will one day distinguish him as one of the best players of our time. We are very happy to welcome Rafael Palmeiro into the Wheaties family.” The images of many of the greatest players of all time -- from Ruth and Gehrig to Aaron and McGwire -- have been featured on the fabled orange Wheaties box.

Palmeiro's Rangers teammates Juan Gonzalez and Alex Rodriguez previously have appeared on the box. Wheaties began its association with sports in the mid-1930s with a sign on the left field wall at Nicollet Park near downtown Minneapolis. General Mills' broadcast deal with the minor league Minneapolis Millers on WCCO Radio included the large signboard that Wheaties would use to introduce its new ad slogan: “Wheaties-The Breakfast of Champions.” From that rather humble beginning, Wheaties has built a heritage that includes many of the greatest sports figures of all time.