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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

Tano Tijerina


Pitcher - Nixon High (Laredo)
1992 Texas Prep "AAAAA"
North/South All-Star Game
Milwaukee Brewers (Draftee)


Tano Tijerina was born and raised in Laredo, Texas. His baseball career started when he was 4 years old. Over the next 24 yea rs he would earn the nickname "workhorse". He was a noted high school pitcher and lettered all four years. As a sophomore he was Glready pitching in the high SO's. Beginning as early GS his junior year in high schoo l he WGS scouted by high ranking colleges and was chosen to play in the Texas High School North and South All -Star game in the Astrodome. Even though he had many opportunities to attend leading colleges he chose to go to Navarro Junior college so that he would be eligible to be drafted at an earlier age. As a freshman in JUCO he was clocked at 98mph and was averaging 94mph. In June of 1993 at the age of 18 he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the eighth round. The next two yenrs of his career as a professional baseball player went according to plan and he was movi ng up the ranks as a prospect. ln this third spring training Tano was advised to have elective surgery to repair hi s elbow. Unfortunately during his recovery time, in 1997, the Brewers fired a majority of their staff and many who were on the disabled list were released, including Tano. But his career was not over yet. He was hired by the Harlingen Whitewings and played for one year, averaging in the mid 90's and topping out at 97 mph. With a year still left on hi contract with the Whitewings and a tryout pending with the Orioles, Tano decided that he would retire from baseball. His time was now spent on his growing family and ranch life that he loves. Baseball had become part of his past until he was invited to speak at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes alongside Avery Johnson in 2002. After five years of not picking up a baseball, Tano felt that God was leading him back to the pitching mound. He decided that we would play again with a new focus. And at the age of 28 and a week after he graduated from college, he made a comeback with the Edinburg Roadrunners of the Central League. His focus this time around was on giving God the glory. After the most successful season in his career, he put up his glove again; satisfied he had done what he needed to do.