EPBBHOF 2003-04-05

Album Cover EPBBHOF 2003-04-05

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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ERNIE BARRUETA

Inducted in 2003 Hall of Fame Brother/Brother duo honoree Played in his first All Star game at the age of 8 in 1956 Culminated his Little League career by leading his “Big 8” team to a Hueco League championship as a undefeated pitcher and hitting .432 As a 14 year old, he led his Houston Tigers team to a championship with a 10-0 record including 5 no-hitters and four one-hitter In 1963 and 1964, he was the # 1 starter for the Babe Ruth League and Colt League traveling All Star teams In a three year varsity career at El Paso High School he finished with a 23-5 record including multiple shut outs and a no-hitter He was twice named to the All District team for the Tigers Struck out 18 batters in a game and averaged 13 strikeouts a game for high school career with a 1.32 ERA Selected to the El Paso High School “All Decade” team and “Outstanding Pitcher of the 60’s” Along with pitchers Bob Arnold and Ronnie Mulvihill, he helped lead the El Paso Downtown Optimist Connie Mack team coached by El Paso Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Barrueta to a fourth place finish at the World Series in 1965 In 1966, he led his Connie Mack team with a 10-0 pitching record and led them to the sectional championship with a 16 strikeout effort and going 3X3 at the plate Turned down full scholarship offers from University of New Mexico and Oklahoma State to play for Texas Western and Coach Andy Cohen Believed his fast ball exceeded 90 miles per hour and with his great slider was destined for success until his injury in the summer of 1966 Compiled a cumulative pitching record of 102 wins and only 21 losses in a ten year career shortened by a shoulder injury which ended a promising college and expected professional career

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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RICHARD BOMBARD

Inducted in 2003 Hall of Fame Brother/Brother duo honoree Named to the 1978 All District team while playing for Eastwood High School In the Summer of 1978, he pitched for the host Farmington team in the Connie Mack World Series Offered several baseball scholarships but chose to attend Florida State University Played for Florida State, Gulf Coast Community College and the University of Florida In 1980, he was 8-1 with a 1.81 ERA for Gulf Coast In 1981, he pitched the Gators to a 11-5 win over Kentucky to win the SEC title Led the University of Florida Gators to the SEC tournament championship in 1982 pitching back to back complete games wins over Alabama 7-3 and the championship game victory over Tennessee 9-3 Overall had 30 wins and 9 losses for the Gators with a 3.78 ERA and 23 complete games Drafted by the Houston Astros in the 10th round in 1982 Had a five year minor league career with the Houston Astros organization and spent a year with the Chicago Cubs organization Became a successful pitching coach with the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Anaheim Angels organizations His 1988 staff with the Reds won the Southern League championship leading all teams with a 2.80 ERA His 1992 Lakeland team won the Florida State championship In 1995, his Jacksonville team led the Southern League with a team ERA of 4.01 Named International League All Star Pitching Coach in 2000 In 2002, one of his pitchers Tomo Ohka threw a 77 pitch perfect game

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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CERJIO MARTINEZ

Inducted in 2003 Spent nearly 30 years contributing to the welfare of baseball in the Southwest Region From 1968 to 1993, he was a member of the El Paso Umpires Association Started working Little League and worked his way through the Pony and Mickey Mantle youth leagues Worked high school and collegiate leagues Selected to umpire District and Bi-District playoff games for high school divisions Worked UTEP, New Mexico State, Sul Ross and Mesa Community College games Selected to work playoff games for NCAA and NAIA In 1967, he helped establish the Hacienda Heights Little League In 1968, he helped merge the league to become a part of Boys Baseball of El Paso Starting in 1974, he was the Commissioner of the Grandview Park Sandy Koufax Baseball League for 3 years In 1978, he was instrumental in the development of the Ysleta Thoroughbred Baseball League From 1996 to 1998, he coached in the Eastwood and Northeast Optimist Club leagues Selected as “Umpire of the Year” in 1968 and 1969 by the Pan American Optimist Club Awarded the honor of “Instructor of New Umpires” for El Paso Umpires Association Vice President of the El Paso Umpire Association during the 1970’s Named “Rookie Coach of the Year” in the Pan American and Vista Del Sol Optimist Club leagues Throughout his time in baseball including his umpiring achievements he has always been recognized for his tireless devotion to the development of youth baseball in the El Paso area As a umpire and league administrator he was always recognized for his effort to ensure fairness, competitiveness and competence for all participants

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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MAX LOPEZ

Inducted in 2003 Started playing baseball years ago with Leo Forti while in high school Left High School at the age of 16 to pursue his baseball dream This was a dream which lasted over 60 years In 1930, he started playing with the Copper Heads of El Paso In 1935, he played in the inaugural season of the Juarez League for Lobby Cafe and then played for Ciudad Delicias from 1937 to 1940 He compiled an impressive record of 38 wins and only 5 losses with 4 shutouts as a Pitcher In 1943, he played for Brownsville Texas and their Rio Grande Valley team compiling a 6-0 record with a 6-0 shutout over Mission to win the league championship Moved back to play with Semi-Pro leagues in Juarez for the Dorados de Chihuahua and led them to 3 State Championships and tossed a perfect game against Parral 2-0 Competed in Old Pro Leagues with Syd and Andy Cohen, Leo Forti, Memo Garcia, Chito Gutierrez and other outstanding El Paso and Juarez greats The”Max Lopez Little League” in San Isidro, Chihuahua is named for his contributions to the game Tucson Arizona has also honored him for his contributions as a baseball player and organizer of the Little League in Chihuahua In 1990, he was inducted into the Chihuahua Beisbol Salon de la Fama

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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KEN MOORHEAD

Inducted in 2004 Played basketball and baseball for Wilson High School in Oklahoma Played baseball and basketball at Eastern Oklahoma Junior College His baseball squad qualified for the NJCAA World Series Finished his college career playing basketball at Texas Western College from 1954 to 1956 In 1958, he and fellow El Paso Baseball Hall of Famer Nemo Herrera took an El Paso team to the Babe Ruth World Series Became Head Baseball Coach for El Paso High School in 1961 and held that position until 1977 Achieved a record of 192-181 Won District Championships in 1962 and 1971 His 1965 Tiger squad had a 20-3 record and were cited by the District Champion Austin Panthers as the “best team” they played that season He coached either in high school or summer league play many El Paso Baseball Hall of Famers including: Bob Arnold, Ernie Barrueta, Ernie Carreon, Lou Camilli, Lyn Hunt, Raul Marquez and Johnny Miller He was recognized as a “classy” coach who got 120% out of his players On the field, he was always polite, under control and always in charge of his players, his team and the game Players under his guidance were taught to respect the game of baseball

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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BRUCE WAYNE RUFFIN

Inducted in 2004 Voted by the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame Committee to be the first recipient of the newly created, “Recognized El Paso Major Leaguer Award” Played in the Major Leagues for twelve years with the Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies Starred at Hanks High School under the guidance of Head Coach and El Paso Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Williams Earned multiple All District recognition Lead Hanks to 1982 District Championship Teammate of Roger Clemens when the University of Texas Longhorns won the College Baseball National Championship in 1983 All Conference Selection in college Began his professional Major League career in 1986 with the Philadelphia Phillies and was runner-up in the National League Rookie of the Year voting because of a splendid 9-4 record and a 2.46 ERA He had a 12 year professional career in the Major Leagues with the Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers and the Colorado Rockies He was a starting member of the first Colorado Rockies team in 1993 He earned 63 saves, won 60 games and pitched in 469 Major League games He logged 1268 innings of work and had 3 shutouts Shares the Major League record for most strikeouts in one inning with 4 Won Major League Baseball “Rolaids Relief” Award for best relief pitcher in 1996 when he earned 24 saves for the Colorado Rockies

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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YVAN ARMANDO RECHY

Inducted in 2004 A great all around athlete at El Paso High School and Texas Western College Earned three varsity letters and All District honors playing football in high school Member of the El Paso High School basketball team that won the state high school championship Won two varsity letters playing softball in high school After serving in the military, he returned to El Paso and earned three letters playing basketball at Texas College of Mines Following college he played and coached amateur basketball In 1962, he managed the 1962 El Paso team to the ISC World Championship in Rock Island Illinois In 1968, he was inducted into the El Paso Softball Hall of Fame Served as President of the El Paso Officials Association for 13 years Elected to El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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JOHN SCANLON

Inducted in 2004 Started umpiring in 1952 while serving in the United States Army Officiated all Post Level games in 1952 and 1953 while serving in Japan Umpired high school and college level games in Virginia, Massachusetts and Connecticut After coming to Ft Bliss, he umpired youth, high school and college games Umpired college games for New Mexico State, Eastern New Mexico, Sul Ross State, William and Mary and UTEP Umpired American Legion tournaments in Las Cruces and Alamogordo Instrumental in the leadership of the El Paso Umpires Association serving in numerous capacities including bookkeeper, treasurer and assignments secretary Served in Southwest Officials Association and United States Slow Pitch Softball Association Member of El Paso Softball Hall of Fame

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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GENE CONTRERAS

Inducted in 2004 Four year starter for Fabens High School playing shortstop and relief Pitcher Played for 14 years for the Fabens Merchants starting at the age of 15 in 1965 Named to All-Star team nine times Won two consecutive batting titles hitting .494 in 1973 and .600 in 1974 His .600 batting average in 1974 is a record which had not been broken as of 2004 Named Most Valuable Player in 1967, 1971 and 1973 Played 22 seasons of Winter baseball in Mexico and the Zaragosa Lower Valley League Played for the Caseta Rojos, Reforma Tecolotes and Los Tigres de San Ignacio Played on 5 league championship teams including one each with Caseta Rojos and Los Tigres de San Ignacio and 3 titles in a row with Reforma Tecolotes Also played for the Socorro Cougars in the Lower Valley league Played for All Star teams that traveled in Mexico to compete against teams from Chihuahua, Delicias and Casa Grandes Coached a summer boys team for 3 years Umpired games in the Bel Air Optimist League for 6 years During his playing days he was scouted by the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates but never signed He was also offered a contract to sign with the Juarez Indios of the Liga Mexicana but was unable to reach a salary agreement

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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BOBBY AGUIRRE

Inducted in 2005 Excelled at all levels of baseball including Little League, Pony League and Connie Mack His Little League team won the El Paso championship His Connie Mack team won the El Paso area championship and played in the Regional playoffs Served as a bat boy for the El Paso Sun Kings Two year letterman as the starting shortstop at Jefferson High School Two time All District selection for the Silver Foxes in his junior and senior years hitting .383 in 1964 His Jefferson team claimed the District title in 1963 Received a baseball scholarship at Texas Western College Starting shortstop all four years at Texas Western from 1965-1968 During his junior year Texas Western was ranked 10th in the Nation Led team in stolen bases (1965) and home runs (1968) He finished his collegiate years with a career batting average of .352 Involved in coaching West Texas Little League Baseball winning a co-championship one season Member El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame Board of Directors

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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MARK MILLER

Inducted in 2005 Played youth baseball in Arizona and California His Little League team played in the semi-finals of the Arizona World Series He was an All Star in the Pony League in Riverside California Played for Eastwood High School starting his sophomore year after his Family moved to El Paso All District Selection and Co-Most Valuable Player for 1970 All-City team as a senior Played in Lower Valley League Baseball League for E. H. Baeza and San Jose team batting over .380 each season Offered scholarships to play baseball by Pan American, UTEP and Ranger Junior College Played for Ranger Junior College and they were ranked #1 during his 1972 season Drafted in the 4th Round by the Chicago Cubs in the 1972 season Played for UTEP in 1973 and led the team with a .315 batting average and tied for team lead with 3 triples In 1974, he led the team in home runs and triples Andy Cohen called him “one of the best college players he ever saw” during his two years playing for the University of Texas at El Paso Played in Summer Collegiate Leagues in Illinois and Dallas Texas In 1974, he hit over .340 showing power from both sides of the plate and was offered a free agent contract with the Texas Rangers foregoing his senior year at UTEP Played professionally with the Texas Rangers for two years Played in Western Carolina League with the Anderson Rangers and the Texas League with Arkansas A back injury ended his baseball playing career Coached Professional Baseball with the El Paso Diablos Head Baseball Coach at Austin High School baseball team for 3 years Coached as Graduate Assistant for UTEP Coached Summer Boys Baseball and Girls Softball travel teams Inducted in El Paso Softball Hall of Fame in 2005 Member of 2011 El Tejanos Senior World Series Champions Member El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame Board of Directors

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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PAUL DIVIS

Inducted in 2005 Hall of Fame Son/Father duo honoree Played youth baseball overseas in Germany Practiced and played against the Little League World Champions from Taipei, Taiwan Lettered all four years of high school playing at two different schools He starred for Eastwood High School playing three years and being selected to the All District team twice in his junior and senior years In 1977, along with Sergio Cervantes of Burges High School was one of the first El Paso players selected to the Texas High School All Star team After high school he was offered a free agent contract by the California Angels to play for their “A” team in Idaho Falls Idaho Received baseball scholarship to the United States Military Academy at West Point where he was a four year letterman All Conference selection in 1979, 1980 and 1981 By the time he graduated in 1981, he held 4 career and 5 single season individual records He set single season records for hits, doubles, & highest batting average for Army baseball program In his senior year at West Point, he was co-captain of the team Received the Red Reeder award for “Outstanding Baseball Player” his senior year Selected to play in Yankee Stadium representing the New York College All Stars Following graduation, he was commissioned as an officer and served in the United States Army for over 7 years as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot His father Joe Divis is also a member of the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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MARGARITO BANALES

Inducted in 2005 Lettered two years playing baseball under Coach Nemo Herrera at Bowie High School In 1959, his Bears won the District Championship Played with Nolan Richardson, Juan “Magua” Gomez, Lefty Bobby and Willie Rodriguez at Bowie Began umpiring baseball in 1967 Started umpiring Little League to Stan Musial throughout El Paso Officiated High School regular season, High School Bi-District and Area Playoffs up to the 2000 season Umpired NJCAA for El Paso Community College in their first year of play in 1996 College official for New Mexico State, Texas Western and UTEP baseball Also umpired Semi-Pro levels throughout the Southwest Umpired with El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame Umpires including: Sam Sambrano, David Yturralde, Manny Lopez, Perry Huddleston, Cerjio Martinez, John Scanlon, Yvan Rechy, Shawn Lehigh and Gilbert De La Rosa He also umpired softball for 34 years and was chosen to umpire in their World Championships He called baseball games for 16 Area High School Coaches who have been inducted in the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame Among the most highly decorated and accomplished umpires ever in El Paso sports circles Inducted into El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 Inducted in the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame in 2005 Inducted in the El Paso Softball Hall of Fame in 1989 Activated by United States Army for Operation Desert Storm-Desert Shield in 1990-1991 Accomplished Math educator who co-hosts a tutoring show on Television to help local students Served as Officer and President of the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame Member El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame Board of Directors

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

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GABRIEL (GABE) HERNANDEZ JR

Inducted in 2005 Played Semi-Pro baseball for over 50 years starting in 1929 at the age of 16 His first 4 years were with the Legaspi Barbers and they won the first league championship in 1930 During these first four years he rarely struck out and was the top hitter in the league He moved to California in 1933 and played Semi-Pro for teams in San Jose, Sacramento and Oakland as a center fielder Returned from California to El Paso in 1945 and acquired Gabe’s Poultry Market With the business he formed several boy’s leagues including coaching teams with players who would later win the Texas State Championship for Bowie High School in 1949 Following that season he took the players from the Bowie championship team and entered them in the El Paso City league and they beat everyone including teams from Chihuahua, Delicias, Saucillo and Juarez From 1967 to 1968, he served as President of the Alta Vista Optimist Club which organized and sponsored 12 teams In 1969, he served as President of the El Paso Commercial Baseball Association On March 18, 1999, he was honored with a “Gabe Hernandez Day” by the city of El Paso for his great contributions and dedication to youth baseball in El Paso

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

Source: El Paso Baseball Hall Of Fame 2

Uploaded by: [email protected]