Here is a short list of some of the most influential Latin@ sports icons in America. Coming from all sports and all backgrounds, these individuals made their mark on American popular culture!
1. Joe Kapp - (Chicano - NM) - Quarterback that led the Minnesota Vikings to their first playoff appearance in 1968; and in 1970 was named the "Toughest Chicano" by Sports Illustrated.
2. Roberto Clemente- (Puerto Rico) - First Latino to win the World Series as a starter in 1960, win a league MVP award (1966) and win a World Series MVP award (1971) with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a right fielder. First Latino to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
3. Jim Plunkett - (Chicano - CA) - Quarterback and first Latino to win the Heisman Trophy (1970) and first Latino #1 pick in the NFL Draft (1971).
4. Tom Flores - (Chicano - CA) - First NFL coach of color to win a Super Bowl; first starting quarterback of Latin American decent in the American Football League in 1960 with the Raiders; went on to lead the Raiders in two Super Bowl wins.
5. Ignacio Molinet - (Cuba) - First player of Latin American decent to play professional football in 1927 for the Frankfort Yellowjackets.
6. Vernon "Lefty" Gomez - (Chicano - CA) - First All-Star game winning pitcher, for New York Yankees;2nd Latino to be inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
7. Julio Cesar Chavez - (Mexico) - Considered as one of the best boxers of all time; professional record of 107 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws, with 86 knockouts. He holds records for most successful defenses of world titles (27) and most title fights (37). Chávez also holds the record for the longest undefeated streak in boxing history.
8. Roberto Duran - (Panama) - He held world titles at four different weights - lightweight (1972-79), welterweight (1980), junior middleweight (1983-84) and middleweight (1989).
9. Mary Jo Fernandez - (Spain/Cuba - DR) - Gold medal winning tennis player for the US in 1992, and a tennis legend.
10. Soccer Players - Soccer has a huge following in Latin American and everywhere really, except in the US. The incredible athleticism possessed by both male and female soccer players across Latin American should be mentioned here. While each country, state, and city in Latin American may have their favorite home-team player it is worth mentioning that soccer is a Latin American past-time and maybe it will eventually become a larger part of American popular culture as Latin@s become the largest "minority" group in the US.
**For more interesting pioneers in all sports in the US visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hispanic_and_Latino_Americans
2. Roberto Clemente- (Puerto Rico) - First Latino to win the World Series as a starter in 1960, win a league MVP award (1966) and win a World Series MVP award (1971) with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a right fielder. First Latino to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
3. Jim Plunkett - (Chicano - CA) - Quarterback and first Latino to win the Heisman Trophy (1970) and first Latino #1 pick in the NFL Draft (1971).
4. Tom Flores - (Chicano - CA) - First NFL coach of color to win a Super Bowl; first starting quarterback of Latin American decent in the American Football League in 1960 with the Raiders; went on to lead the Raiders in two Super Bowl wins.
5. Ignacio Molinet - (Cuba) - First player of Latin American decent to play professional football in 1927 for the Frankfort Yellowjackets.
6. Vernon "Lefty" Gomez - (Chicano - CA) - First All-Star game winning pitcher, for New York Yankees;2nd Latino to be inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
7. Julio Cesar Chavez - (Mexico) - Considered as one of the best boxers of all time; professional record of 107 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws, with 86 knockouts. He holds records for most successful defenses of world titles (27) and most title fights (37). Chávez also holds the record for the longest undefeated streak in boxing history.
8. Roberto Duran - (Panama) - He held world titles at four different weights - lightweight (1972-79), welterweight (1980), junior middleweight (1983-84) and middleweight (1989).
9. Mary Jo Fernandez - (Spain/Cuba - DR) - Gold medal winning tennis player for the US in 1992, and a tennis legend.
10. Soccer Players - Soccer has a huge following in Latin American and everywhere really, except in the US. The incredible athleticism possessed by both male and female soccer players across Latin American should be mentioned here. While each country, state, and city in Latin American may have their favorite home-team player it is worth mentioning that soccer is a Latin American past-time and maybe it will eventually become a larger part of American popular culture as Latin@s become the largest "minority" group in the US.
**For more interesting pioneers in all sports in the US visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hispanic_and_Latino_Americans
2 comments:
Can Pau Gasol get some back-to-back championship love???
Yes - but I left out so many people! All the new football players and NBA stars - not to mention the USA Soccer stars...well this is more about history the volume! Thanks for the post!!
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