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About The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame

In the United States, there are Sports Halls of Fame that honor professional and amateur athletes in football, basketball, track, tennis, baseball and other sports. There are also ethnic halls of fame that recognize outstanding athletes from different groups including Italian, Jewish, Irish and blacks to name a few. But, there was not a single sports hall of fame that would recognize, honor and salute the outstanding accomplishments/achievements and contributions of our Latino/Hispanic Sports Heritage not only from the United States but also those who came to this country from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Central and South America and from the vast talent from the Caribbean Islands. The Latin-American International Sports Hall of Fame/Salon de Ia Fama Latinoamericano del Deporte was organized in Laredo, Texas in 1974. At first it was to celebrate, honor and promote local and regional individuals who had excelled at their particular sport but soon it opened the doors to include National and International Professional Athletes. It also recognizes as Sportsman of the Year individuals who continue to preserve and enhance our Latino culture, values and educational opportunities for our youth and who contribute to the betterment of the City of Laredo and South Texas. There have been since its inception an equal recognition of women athletes inductees. It was important to find role models for our youth and the organizers wanted to include all ages, regardless of sex in their programs. The Latin Hall was also created to promote economic development and stimulate business activity in downtown Laredo when local businesses are contracted to provide services to our inductees, their families and guests who visit Laredo during the annual 3-day welcome reception, media luncheon and induction banquet celebration weekend. Through the years. (1975-2014), and with limited amount of funds the organization has, had the opportunity to help the youth of our community with scholarships and other youth activity fundraisers. Plans are to have a Latin Sports International Hall of Fame Museum (downtown) (soon) which will be a first for the United States and to provide clinics (free of charge) to instruct our youth in different sports.

Mission

The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1975 to recognize individuals with good and proper standing in the community, high morals and values and who have excelled in sports and/or have contributed to the promotion of sports and goodwill in the Latino community.


Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame

47th Annual Induction Banquet

Jose Antonio Mena (Mickey)


Decano
Periodista/ Comentarista
Deportes Radio/TV/Prensa
Republica Dominicana

Jose Antonio Mena (Mickey) se inicio de muy temprana edad en el beisbol, jugando en Ia escuela,
en patios y mas adelante en estadios beisboleros participando en diversas categorias: infantil,
pequefias Iigas, juvenil y amateur, siendo seleccionado para jugar con el equipo nacional en tres
ocasiones.
En 1967, ala edad de 20 atios, Juan Antonio firmo contrato profesional con el scout Horacio
Martinez, de los Gigantes de San Francisco. Martinez, en atios anteriores, habia contratado para
los Gigantes a los hermanos Alou (Felipe, Mateo y jesus). Mickey jug6 dos afios en las Iigas
menores.
En el afio 1968-69, Mena milit6 con el equipo campe6n nacional dominicano, donde los
jugadores estrellas eran Juan Marichal, Tito Fuentes, Vicente Romo y los hermanos Alou.
Luego de una pausa beisbolera, Mena volvi6 a su beisbol querido, pero ahora como periodista donde escribe una columna denominada
"Beisbol Datos" especializada en records, analisis, comentarios, en fin, todo lo relacionado con el rey de los deportes.
En 1980, Mickey tuvo su inicio en television y radio como analista de beisbol en la Liga In vernal Dominicana, compartiendo esa tarea
durante el verano, con las transrnisiones de juegos de grandes Iigas por satelite, especialmente, los de Los Angeles Dodgers. Tambien ha
transmitido los partidos de la Serie del Caribe en Venezuela, Puerto Rico y Mexico.
Men aha sido reconocido como "Cronista del Afio" por su labor deportiva en television, radio y prensa. Otra prerniaci6n denominada
"Microfono de Oro" considerado como lo maximo en esta profesi6n, lo ha recibido en cinco ocasiones.
Hoy, Mena y su hijo, Antonio Jr., labor an juntos en diversos medios de comunicaci6n en su natal Republica Dominicana. Siempre cerca
de su coraz6n, "El Amor por el Beisbol."