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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

Roberto "Bobby" Cuellar

Roberto "Bobby" Cuellar


Pitcher
Univ. of Texas
3 College World Series
1971-1974
Pitching Coach
Mariners -Expos- Rangers
1990- 2001

Mexican baseball players from South Texas are
talented individuals who sometimes are overlooked
by collegiate and pro scouts for any number of reasons.
Occasionally, a slick infielder or hard throwing pitcher
gets noticed and the training begins to refine one's
skills to play at the various amateur or professional
levels. However, this opportunity is a rare instance
and those who take it find it to be a rewarding
experience. Such is the case for Alice, Texas native
Bobby Cuellar.
The baseball history of Bobby Cuellar is about championships. At Alice High School in 1969-1970,
Cuellar was instrumental in helping to win two District titles; and was named "Outstanding Baseball
Player of 1970" by the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. Heading north from Alice to Austin, Cuellar
attends the University of Texas and plays for the Longhorns. During his baseball career at Texas, they
capture four SWC Championship titles and make three trips to the College World Series in Omaha,
Nebraska.
Still a diamond in the rough, the Texas Rangers of the American League draft Cuellar and assign him to the Class A minor league teams
of Gastonia and Lynchburg. In 1976, he moves to Class AA Baseball in San Antonio, eventually getting to Class AAA in Tucson.
In September 1977, the Texas Ranges called him up to the majors and although it was a brief stay, Cuellar pitched in four games with a
1.29 earned run average and no decisions.
Determined to continue his baseball career, he traveled to and played winter league baseball in Puerto Rico (1977-1978), who won the
Caribbean World Series Championship. He next returned to the United States to play with the Cleveland Indians AAA team for a couple of
seasons (1979-1980) and the Laredo Tecolotes of the Mexican League in 1982.
At this point in his career (1984), Cuellar made the transition from playing to coaching baseball. For the next 24 years, coach Bobby
Cuellar worked for various minor league teams until his debut as a major league pitching coach in 1995 with the Seattle Mariners. That
season Randy Johnson was the Cy Young Award winner in the American League. He also coached the Montreal Expos and more recently
(2001), was the pitching coach for the Texas Rangers, the team that brought him to the majors some 24 years ago.
Coach Cuellar reflects on his career, "Making it to the major leagues for a small South Texas kid still seems like a dream. From playing
little league to semi-pro baseball teams on fields with no outfield fences, with players who just love to play the game. These people taught
me to respect the game and the people who play it. I can only hope that I can do the same for the players who wish to do the same".