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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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edwin Rodríguez Morales
Major League Baseball

1980 - 1983 New York Yankees
2010 - 2011 First Puerto Rican Major League Manager/Florida Marlins
2022 Manager Leones de Ponce - Puerto Rico



Edwin Rodriguez Morales is a former Major League Baseball player and the first Puerto Rican to manage a Major League Baseball team—the Florida Marlins.

Rodriguez, of La Playa de Ponce, Puerto Rico, made his Major League debut in September 1982 with the New York Yankees.  He played second base for a total of three seasons in the Major’s with the Yankees and the San Diego Padres.

Rodriguez also played in the Minor Leagues for eight seasons with the Gulf Coast Yankees, Oneonta Yankees, Nashville Sounds, Greensboro Hornets, Columbus Clippers, Las Vegas Stars and the Portland Beavers. His love for baseball, instilled in Rodriguez by his father, did not end with the conclusion of his playing career.  

Rodriguez served as a baseball scout for 11-years with the Minnesota Twins.  During his tenure with the Twins, Rodriguez earned his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the Pontifical Catholic University in Puerto Rico. 

Rodriguez established his legacy in professional baseball by dedicating the last two decades mentoring and fostering talent at the Minor League level.

Beginning in 1999, Rodriguez has coached or managed the Hudson Valley Renegades, Princeton Devil Rays, Gulf Coast League Marlins, Greensboro Grasshoppers, New Orleans Zephyrs, Carolina Mudcats, Akron Aeros, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Lake Elsinore Storm and El Paso Chihuahuas.

On June 23, 2010, Rodriguez made history as the first Puerto Rican manager of a Major League Baseball team by replacing Fredy Gonzalez.  Rodriguez joined an elite group of Puerto Rican pioneers on the baseball diamond including Emilio “Millito” Navarro, the first Puerto Rican to play win the Negro League; Hiram Bithorn, the first Puerto Rican to play Major League Baseball; humanitarian Roberto Clemente, member of MLB’s Hall of Fame and the only Puerto Rican to reach 3,000 hits; And Luis Rodriguez Olmo, the first Puerto Rican to hit a home run in the World Series.

Rodriguez also managed the Puerto Rican team in 2013 and 2017 for MLB’s World Baseball Classic.

Most recently, Rodriguez was hired to manage Los Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League for the upcoming 2023 season