ALEX PENA

Alex Peña was a standout pitcher starting his time playing youth baseball Earned All District Honors at Irvin High School Co-MVP at the 1991 High School Senior Showcase Enjoyed a standout career at New Mexico Junior College where he was a teammate with El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Honoree Armando Almanza and Class of 2021 Honoree Jorge Perez Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1993 Played for the Orioles organization with stops with the Gulf Coast Orioles and the Bluefield West Virginia Orioles where he earned Player of the Year honors in the in Appalachian League with 5-2 record, 0.70 ERA, giving up 3 earned runs in 38 2/3 innings with 33 K’s, 3 saves Opposing batters had a .120 batting average against him His time with the Bluefield Orioles saw him reunite with El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Honoree Rocky Coppinger Earned an invitation to Extended Spring Training with the Baltimore Orioles in 1994 Peña also played in the California League with the High Desert Mavericks, the Visalia Oaks, and with the Frederick Keys Maryland Orioles of the Carolina League During his professional career, Peña pitched with the Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations Alex Peña served as Head Baseball Coach for his alma mater Irvin High School from 2012-2014 and currently serves as Head Baseball Coach for Burges High School where he began his tenure starting in 2015 He has enjoyed the support and encouragement of loving parents his Dad Jesus Jose “Ciro” and his Mother Juana Peña His wife Laura shares his life journey as do his children Carissa, Alexander, Brianna, Nadia, Evan, Sophia and Aliyah.

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

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RICK SOLIS

Rick Solis began his youth playing career coached by his Dad Minuto and under the encouraging eye of his mother Carmen Solis earned All District honors as a Shortstop in 1997 and 1998 at Ysleta High School Earned First Team All-Conference Shortstop honors playing for El Paso Community College in 1999 and 2000 Named El Paso Community College Team MVP in 1999 and 2000 Selected to play in the Texas-NM Junior College All Star game in 1999 Solis was a Pre-Season Collegiate Baseball All American in 2000 Selected by the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame as the College Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000 Solis earned All-Conference honors in 2001 and 2002 at Northwestern State University helping lead the school to back to back Conference Championships He was selected to play in the prestigious Cape Cod Summer Collegiate League with the Harwich Mariners in 2001 Solis signed as a Free Agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers and played on the Pioneer League Champion Great Falls team Rick Solis completed his college degree and started coaching in 2006 He was hired as the Head Baseball Coach for Riverside High School in 2017 In 5 seasons, he has led the Rangers to 3 playoff appearances, 2 District Championships and an appearance in the Texas High School Baseball Sweet 16 Round of Playoff in 2021 He earned High School Coach of the Year honors from both the El Paso Times and the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021 Solis was named El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame High School Co-Coach of the Year in 2022 Solis comes from a strong baseball family and has 2 brothers Rene who is the Head Baseball Coach at Ysleta High School and Roberto He is Blessed to share his life journey with his wife Clarissa and children Alyssa, Jaqueline, Charlotte and Ricardo IV

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

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KYLE ANSON

Kyle Anson began his playing career with a strong and encouraging supporting cast led by his Mom Candy, Father Steve and Brother Steve (TJ) Earned All City and All District honors in 2000 and 2001 playing for the Socorro High School Bulldogs – he was the District MVP hitting .468, 8 HR, 40 RBI Anson was All Conference, All Region and Team MVP helping lead El Paso Community College to top 10 National Ranking and winning Conference and Regional Tournaments setting a team batting average record of .416 He was the All-Star Game MVP playing in the Northwoods Summer League Anson was All Conference and Team MVP helping lead EPCC to #2 JUCO National ranking winning the Conference Championship and ranked as top Junior College Player by WJCAC setting school record with .456 BA with 56 RBI He was named All Conference leading the conference in doubles at Texas State University in 2004 Anson again gained honors as All Conference leading the conference with .410 BA, .496 OBP at Texas State University in 2005 Kyle was drafted in 10th Round by the New York Yankees His first season in NY Penn League, he was asked to go to Instructional League to switch to playing catcher Anson was an All-Star selection Florida Coast League in 2008 He was invited to Major League camp for Spring Training in 2008 and 2009 and was among the last roster cut in 2008 Anson retired in 2010 to follow his heart into Church Ministry Kyle shares his life journey with his Wife Madison and daughters Bethany and Adalynn.

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

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LOU ROMANO

Lou Romano started his career as a Sportscaster in the 1980’s while attending college in Grand Junction Colorado He earned his first opportunity as a student and upon graduation was offered a full time beginning to his professional life journey His time as a sportscaster has seen him return to his birthplace New York City working for the Madison Square Garden Network, NYC Metro Sports Network and News 12 Long Island He also worked for a CBS affiliate in Phoenix Arizona and KVIA and CBS4/KFOX 14 in El Paso Texas Romano has earned honors as El Paso’s Best Sportscaster 11 times including 5 of the past 6 years He was named by the Associated Press as the Best Texas Sportscaster 3 times He earned honors as the Associated Press Best New Mexico Sportscaster 2 times Lou has coached youth baseball 8 years covering 16 seasons including time in the Cloudview League and as an Assistant Coach for Coronado High School Summer League JV and Development teams Romano has used his influence to elevate baseball facilities including a recent project at Cloudview Park where flood damage created unsafe conditions for Players, Parents and fans Over the years, Lou Romano has been the most consistent media partner to El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame events and news coverage including times during the recent pandemic challenged years Romano is a Proud Step-Father to Christian and Ryan

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

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JESSIE LUJAN III

Inducted in Class of 2023 Jesus “Jesse” was a star pitcher at Thomas Jefferson High School and at the University of Texas El Paso. Ace Pitcher and All-District selection in 1966 leading the Jefferson Silver Foxes with a complete game performance in a 3-2 win over rival Irvin High School as Jefferson clinched the District 1-AAAA title. He notched a 5-0 record in District play East Division and District 1-AAAA Champions in 1966 All Eastern Division and All District Selection as Pitcher In 1967, had a batting average .385, tied for leading University of Texas EL Paso Miners in pitching wins 8 and struck out 55 hitters establishing him as one of the anchors on the pitching staff Arm injury cut pitching career short, but his athleticism allowed him to make a remarkable transition to play the outfield His baseball journey included later play in Mexico, the International League and the 35 and over Lower Valley Baseball League in El Paso Wife is Leticia Ofelia Lujan

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

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ALONZO RUELAS

Inducted in 2023 Alonzo Ruelas began his baseball journey at age 5 playing in the Socorro Optimist League for his father Willie Ruelas with the Socorro Pirates. His baseball journey was nurtured by the support from his mom Alicia. Alonzo comes from an encouraging and supportive baseball family and his love of the game includes guidance from Diana, Cynthia and Danny. Alonzo was a star player at Socorro High School earning multiple All District, All City honors. He also earned All State recognition playing for the Bulldogs Following high school, Ruelas signed to play collegiately with Grayson County College and was a member of their 2000 National Championship team. Following Junior College, he was drafted in the 8th round by the Atlanta Braves. Alonzo began his professional career playing rookie ball in the Braves organization. His professional journey includes playing for the Danville Braves, Rome Braves, and Myrtle Beach Pelicans. During Spring training Alonzo played with the Richmond Braves and Jacksonville Braves. Alonzo was also called up to catch John Smoltz in 2004. Ruelas played alongside some famous players to include Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Javy Lopez. Other notable players that he played against during his time with the Braves were Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Albert Puljos, and Miguel Cabrera. Alonzo enjoys unconditional support, love and partnership with his wife Carmen Ruelas and his children Alonzo Jordan and Colton Ruelas

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

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CARLOS LAZCANO

Inducted in 2023 Carlos Lazcano began his baseball journey at age 5 playing in the Liga Basaseachic in Cd. Juarez, Mex. His journey in El Paso baseball started a year later at the Alta Vista Optimist League. His Baseball Journey was nurtured by the unconditional love and support from his Mom Irma and Dad Ramiro. His love of the game includes guidance, direction and wisdom from Olivia, Debbie and especially Ramiro Jr. Playing for Austin High School starting in 1989 saw Carlos earn distinction and honors as a 4 year All District Selection and 2 years as an All City Honoree. He was distinguished with the honor of being selected to the 1992 Texas-Oklahoma All Star Game. At Ranger Junior College he earned Offensive Player of the Year Honors and All Conference Designated Hitter selection in 1994. He was also selected to play in the NJCAA Baseball All Star Game. He repeated his selection earning 1995 All Conference Designated Hitter honors. In 1996, Carlos earned Lone Star All Conference Designated Hitter honors playing for Texas A & M Kingsville. In 1998, Lazcano was selected to be the Lone Star Conference Player of the Year, earning Honors as the All Conference Catcher selection as well helping to lead his team to the Conference Championship. He was named to the All-Tournament team in 1998. Carlos worked diligently in the Classroom earning All-Conference Academic Honors in 1996, Academic Honors 1996 – 1999, GTE Academic All Region Honors and the 1998 Oliver Seiko Award signifying the highest GPA of all university athletes at Texas A& I Kingsville. His academic accomplishments earned him designation as a Career Award Recipient. Carlos enjoys an unconditional support, love and partnership with his wife Hortencia and his son Carlos Jr.

Area: Eastside / Eastwood

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