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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

 






 

Leo "Najo" Alaniz
Baseball

 

Leo "Najo" Alaniz

Baseball

 

Leo Najo was born Leonardo Alanix on February 17,1899 in the small town of La Willa, located In the municipality of Doctor Cass in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. When wale was 10. His mother moved the family to the nearby town of Mission, Texas. The family's financial stability allowed him to spend his time playing the relatively new game of baseball, which was very popular along the Texas-Mexico border at the start of Me 20. century.
 
In the early 1920's Najo and several other young men in Mission formed a town semi-pro team named the Mission 30-30s named after the Winchester Rifle. The 30-30s became a baseball Institution in Mission until the 1960s. A number of famous South Texans besides Najo played on those 30-30s teams including future Dallas Cowboys Coach Tom Landry and future U.S. Congressman "Kika. de la Garza. 
 
Najo also played with some of the earliest organized teams in Mexico including the Cuauhtemoc Brewery team of Monterrey in 1922. The Cuanhterna's are viewed by baseball historians as an Important early Mexican franchise and a forerunner of the highly successful Sultans de Monterrey in the early Mexican League. After his career as a pro ended, Tajo use his regional fame to promote the game of baseball throughout South Texas and Northern Memo. Many players that he coach or manage went on to become successful professional players and coaches. After a lengthy battle with cancer NajO died at age 79.
 
The street that he lived most of his life was renamed "Leo NaioStreer and the Mission High School Baseball stadium was named in his honor and every October since Najois death, a large group of fans and admirers have hosted a Leo 'NW Day in Mission which draws hundreds of baseball aflonados and features displays and programs about the history of baseball in South Texas.