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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

Ed Figueroa

Ed Figueroa
Baseball Pitcher
New York Yan kees
World  Series Champs 1977-1978
 
Ed Figueroa
Major League Baseball

Eduardo Figueroa Padilla was born in Ciales, Puerto Rico. He is the only Major League Baseball pitcher from Puerto Rico to win twenty games in a regular major league season.

At the early age of seventeen he signed as a free agent with the New York Mets in 1966. He played for their affiliate the Winter Haven Mets, and the Raleigh-Durham Mets. He was called to take a draft physical in Puerto Rico. Upon his return three weeks later he hurt his arm. The Mets released him and Figueroa joined the United States Marine Corps, and spent the year in Vietnam. Figueroa returned to baseball upon his discharge from the Corps in 1970 and signed with the San Francisco Giants. He was later traded to the California Angels in 1973.

He made his first Major League debut in 1974 with the California Angels. When the Angels were behind 10-2 Figueroa took over in the eighth inning. He gave up only one hit in two innings. On July 6 in the game against Cleveland Indians he pitched a complete game. He only gave up one earned run while striking out six and scattering six hits. He left the Angels with a 16-13 record a solid 2.91 ERA. He was traded to the New York Yankees and joined their pitching staff in 1976 with an impressive 19-10 with a3.02 ERA and finished fourth in the American League CY Young Award. He went 13-2 for the remainder of the season to help lead the charge from fourteen games back to overtake the Boston Red Sox in the American League East.

The Texas Rangers purchased his contract on July 1980, but was later released. He signed with the Oakland Athletics where it was recorded a 3.34 ERA with the Pacific Coast League affiliate, the Tacoma Tigers earning a promotion to the majors. He made his final major league start on September 6 against the Baltimore Orioles. He was offered a minor league deal by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1982 but chose to retire instead. During this time, Figueroa pitched for the Golf Coast Suns in 1989, and winter ball with the Lobos de Arecibo, Criollos de Caguas and Cangrejos de Santurce clubs of the Puerto Rico Baseball League. He led the league in wins on back-to- back seasons. Figueroa now lives in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and is the proud owner of two Mexican restaurants named Lupis in Old San Juan near the San Juan airport.