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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

Darrell Evans

 

 
Darrell Evans
Baseball
 

Darrell Evans
baseball

Darrell Wayne Evans (born May 26, 1947) is a former third baseman and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1969 to 1989 with the Atlanta Braves (1969–76, 1989), San Francisco Giants (1976–83) and Detroit Tigers (1984–88). He is also the former manager and director of player personnel for the Victoria Seals of the Golden Baseball League.

Overshadowed in his prime by fellow National League third baseman Mike Schmidt, he has been described by author Bill James as “the most underrated player in baseball history, absolutely number one on the list”, primarily because his defensive skill, home run power, and ability to draw walks in a long career were offset by a low career batting average of .248. He remains one of the few players to have hit over 400 career home runs without being seriously considered for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Evans became the first player to hit 40 home runs in a season in both leagues. He hit a career-high 41 for the 1973 Atlanta Braves, also posting a career-high .403 on-base percentage that season. At age 38, he became the oldest player ever to lead the American League in home runs, hitting 40 for the Detroit Tigers in 1985. Evans hit over 20 home runs in 10 different seasons and drew 100 or more walks five times, leading the major leagues with 124 walks in 1973 and a career-high 126 in 1974. He currently ranks 11th all-time in walks among major leaguers (1,605), ahead of the likes of Pete Rose, Willie Mays, Stan Musial and Hank Aaron.

Despite turning 40 years old early in the 1987 season, Evans hit 34 home runs and drove in 99, helping the Tigers to an AL East pennant and finishing 12th in the AL MVP voting. He hit his 400th home run during the 1988 season, becoming the 22nd player to reach that milestone. He retired after having joined Reggie Jackson in becoming only the second player to hit 100 home runs with three different teams, and ranking in 11th place among all-time walks leaders. Evans hit 60 home runs after reaching age 40, at the time a major league record. After returning to the Braves for the 1989 season, he then served as a coach with the New York Yankees in 1990.

A two-time All-Star (1973 and 1983), Evans was selected as the third baseman on the 1973 Sporting News National League All-Star team. He won the 1983 Willie Mac Award for his spirit and leadership. He earned a World Series ring with the 1984 Detroit Tigers.

A particularly memorable highlight of his career was being on base and scoring when Hank Aaron hit his 715th career home run on April 8, 1974 to break Babe Ruth’s record for most career home runs.