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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

Gerardo "Polvorita" Sanchez


Baseball
"El Tecolote de Hierro"
Record 1415 Partidos Jugados Consecutivos
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos
Liga Mexicana 1998


En toda la historia del beisbol profesional Mexicano y a todo lo largo y ancho del mundo del rey de los deportes, nos encontrarnos con personajes que capitalizan la atencion de los fanaticos. Para los seguidores de los Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos ha sido altamente satisfactorio ver el nacimiento y desarrollo de uno de los peloteros mas queridos y estimados que le ha dado intenso brillo al beisbol: Gerardo "Polvorita" Sanchez. En la historia deportiva de Gerardo Sanchez el record de mas partidos jugados consecutivamente ha sido lo mejor que le ha sucedido y el sueii.o mas largamente acariciado. Todo se convirtio en realidad cuando el 21 de Abril1996 empato el record de 1166 juegos consecutivos (que duro 20 años), para luego superarlo al dia siguiente hasta alcanzar una marca de 1415 partidos jugados consecutivamente, un record que ahora esta vigente en la Liga Mexicana. Con esta hazaii.a "Polvorita" se coloco en el4o. Iugar de todos los tiempos entre los jugadores que han logrado tan extra ordinaria meta. Solo los grandes hombres han podido superar los grandes retos de la vida. Las metas que se prop one todo ser humano y las alcanza, ya ha saboreado la gloria y solo le espera la irunortalidad en el beisbol. Gerardo Sanchez ya pertenece a esta clase de heroes porque ha sabido mantener una buena condicion fisica y una alta calidad como pelotero profesional con todos los atributos que lo mantienen en primera linea para ser imitado por quienes buscan superarse todos los dias en el campo de juego. Con los records logrados en Ia Liga Mexicana en relacion con los juegos jugados consecutivamente, Gerardo Sanchez se ha convertido en "El Tecolote de Hierro" y en una nueva leyenda del beisbol profesional de Mexico.