Slide Background
Slide Background
Slide Background
Slide Background
Slide Background
previous arrow
previous arrow
next arrow
next arrow

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

Albert Bracero

 

1973 - Seven-year-old Bracero, with his parents and sister, returned to La Isla del Encanto - Puerto Rico.

1987 - He played AA baseball with Guaynabo. 

1991 - World Cup qualifying tournament, Albert was named to the tournament All-Star

1992 - Played in his second Olympic’s-the 1992 games in Barcelona, Spain.

 

Alberto Bracero
Puerco Rico Olympic

Baseball Team

 

Albert Bracero was born in New York and lived in the Bronx Borough in close proximity to the hallowed Yankee Stadium. However, Bracero’s father introduced America’s pastime to his son at Shea Stadium instead—home to the crosstown rival New York Mets. Albert’s long and illustrious baseball career began when his father registered the young player in Little League. In high school, Albert played in American Legion Baseball and advanced to the American Legion World Series in Kokomo, Indiana. Laredo Junior College (LJC) head baseball coach Hector Salinas recognized Albert’s talent and offered him a scholarship to play for the Palominos.

He was selected to the All-Conference team in 1986 and achieved what few ever do in a baseball game - pitching with both arms. Facing rival San Jacinto College, Albert threw right-handed one inning and left-handed the next inning.

In addition to excelling on the diamond, Albert also met the love of his life, Leticia Miranda, whom he married in 1987.  In 1988, he was traded to Grises de Humacao where he played until 2004. During his career with the Grises, he was the only player who was ambidextrous and to switch- hit in the entire league. His superb play earned selections to the Puerto Rican national baseball team and played in the 1988 Baseball World Cup in Italy, the 1998 Seoul Olympics, the 1990 Goodwill Games in

Seattle and the 1990 Baseball World Cup in Canada. team and was chosen as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). Soon thereafter, Albert played in the Pan American games where Puerto Rico won the silver medal by upsetting the US baseball team. Success followed Albert as he was named to the World All-Star Game.

The following year he played in the Central American games in Puerto Rico earning a bronze medal. 1994 brought the World Cup to Nicaragua where Albert led the Puerto Rican team to a comeback with over the Americans by hitting a grand slam. In honor of his stellar career, Albert was inducted into Puerto Rico’s Immortals Double-A Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008. Albert’s excellence also led to the retirement of his jersey in 2013.

Despite his many baseball accolades, Albert’s proudest titles are husband, father and grandfather. Albert and Leticia are the proud parents of Luis (Jacqueline) and Melissa (Orlando Moreno) and are grandparents to Nicolas and Natalia. Albert has shared his knowledge with Laredo’s youth by coaching Big League and National Little League as well as offering private lessons.