Giancarlo Stanton is one of the most feared hitters in Major League Baseball, a New York Yankees slugger whose home runs leave crowds in awe. But behind every superstar is a foundation of support, and for Stanton, that foundation was built by his mother, Jacinta Garay .
While his father, Mike Stanton, spent countless hours on the baseball field pitching to his young son, Jacinta provided the cultural roots, warmth, and unwavering belief that shaped the man behind the bat . From choosing his distinctive four-part name to instilling a deep pride in his Puerto Rican heritage, Jacinta Garay played an essential role in her son’s journey to the big leagues. This article explores the life of Giancarlo Stanton’s mother, her influence on his career, and the heritage she passed down to her son.
Who Is Jacinta Garay?
Giancarlo Stanton’s mother is Jacinta Garay, a woman of African-American and Puerto Rican descent . She worked for the U.S. Postal Service alongside her then-husband, Mike Stanton, before their divorce when Giancarlo was eight years old .
Jacinta is the person responsible for giving her son his distinctive name . She is also the source of his pride in his Puerto Rican roots, having incorporated Latino culture into their daily lives throughout his childhood . While she was not heavily involved in sports, she ensured her son grew up connected to his heritage and displayed a picture of Roberto Clemente in their Los Angeles home .
The Name Giancarlo: A Mother’s Choice
Jacinta Garay gave her son four names: Giancarlo Cruz Michael Stanton . The name Giancarlo was inspired by two famous actors she admired: Giancarlo Giannini and Giancarlo Esposito .
“I talked to my cousin and she was, ‘Yeah, let’s do it,’ because we just loved the way that Giancarlo flows,” Garay said, pronouncing it with a flourish .
Interestingly, the choice wasn’t initially popular with young Giancarlo. His mother recalled a moment when he came home from school and admitted he hated the name . His parents gave him multiple names so he could choose the one he liked. His father calls him Mike, his mother calls him Cruz, relatives call him Mikey, and teammates call him G .
The middle name “Cruz” also carries deep meaning. It came because his mother’s favorite singer was Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, and because an actor who lived in the neighborhood played a character named Cruz on the late-1980s soap opera “Santa Barbara” .
A Mother’s Pride in Heritage
Jacinta Garay did her best to incorporate Latino culture into their daily lives. She displayed a picture of the legendary Roberto Clemente in their Los Angeles home, instilling a sense of pride in her son’s Puerto Rican roots .
“It was always pretty cool to see that every day and build into the player that I am and the goals that I wanted to accomplish,” Stanton said of his mother’s influence. “Like playing in the Big Leagues” .
On Roberto Clemente Day, Stanton proudly wore Clemente’s No. 21 on his Yankees jersey to honor his mother’s Puerto Rican heritage . “What [Clemente] represented to the country, the sport, and to Latin players in general, it’s an honor to be able to wear his number and go out there,” Stanton said .
Connecting to Puerto Rican Roots
Stanton’s Puerto Rican heritage comes through his maternal great-grandmother, who was born and raised in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico . His mother confirmed this connection, explaining: “Es mi abuela, la mamá de mi papá. Entonces sería la bisabuela de Giancarlo” (She is my grandmother, my father’s mother. So she would be Giancarlo’s great-grandmother) .
Stanton has visited Puerto Rico multiple times to connect with his roots. In 2010, he made his first visit to the island. During a subsequent visit, he participated in the “Dream HR Derby and Softball Game,” a charity event organized by the La Mákina Foundation of Puerto Rican pitcher Jose Berríos and the El Mago Foundation of shortstop Javier Báez . During this visit, he explored the urban center of Ponce and the Castillo Serrallés, the city where his great-grandmother was born and raised .
Family Life and Heritage
Jacinta Garay and Mike Stanton were married for ten years before divorcing when Giancarlo was eight . Despite the separation, both parents remained present in their son’s life and supported his dreams .
Giancarlo is the youngest of three children, with siblings Kairice and Egidio . The family has mixed heritage: his father is of Irish descent, while his mother is of African-American and Puerto Rican ancestry .
A Cool Mom with Unique Style
Jacinta Garay is described as a “cool enough mom” that Giancarlo invited her to his birthday party at a Hollywood club so she could meet Snoop Dogg . She has piercings on each cheek and musical tastes ranging from Afro-Latin jazz to Lynyrd Skynyrd .
Of her son’s fashion sense and love for flashy sneakers, including a pair of gold metallic high-tops, his mother said: “He’s really into coordination and how things look and how to match the colors. The bling tennis shoes — he gets that from me” .
Key Takeaways
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Giancarlo Stanton’s mother is Jacinta Garay, of African-American and Puerto Rican descent .
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She chose his first name, inspired by actors Giancarlo Giannini and Giancarlo Esposito .
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She calls him “Cruz” as a nickname .
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His middle name “Cruz” honors her favorite singer, Celia Cruz .
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She instilled pride in his Puerto Rican heritage, displaying a picture of Roberto Clemente in their home .
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His Puerto Rican roots come from his maternal great-grandmother from Ponce, Puerto Rico .
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Giancarlo has two siblings, Kairice and Egidio .
FAQ Section
Who is Giancarlo Stanton’s mother?
Giancarlo Stanton’s mother is Jacinta Garay, a woman of African-American and Puerto Rican descent .
What is Giancarlo Stanton’s mother’s ethnicity?
Jacinta Garay is of African-American and Puerto Rican ethnicity .
What does Giancarlo Stanton’s mother call him?
His mother calls him Cruz, one of his four given names .
Where is Giancarlo Stanton’s Puerto Rican heritage from?
His Puerto Rican roots come from his maternal great-grandmother, who was born and raised in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico .
What was Giancarlo Stanton’s reaction to his name as a child?
As a child, Giancarlo came home from school and told his mother, “Mom, I hate my name. Why did you name me that?” .
Final Thoughts
Jacinta Garay may not have been a baseball coach or a scout, but she was instrumental in shaping the man and player Giancarlo Stanton has become. Through her choice of his name, her pride in his heritage, and the cultural foundation she provided, she gave him the identity and roots that have grounded him throughout his career. While his father taught him how to swing a bat, his mother taught him who he is—a lesson that has proven just as valuable on and off the field
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