In 1968, during President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration, Hispanic Heritage Week was established as a tribute to Latino contribution to this country.
Two decades later, the Hispanic Heritage celebration period was extended to one month, from September 15 to October 15, with events recognizing and honoring those who paved the way and continue to inspire millions of other Hispanics to achieve the ‘American Dream’.
Hispanic athletes have been integral in the growth at the highest levels of amateur and professional sports in the U.S.
The batting power and pitching arms of Cubans, Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, have fortified the rosters of Major League Baseball (MLB) teams for years and contributed significantly to its fan base. In fact as of October of 2020, 32% of MLB players were of Latino decent, including most of its top stars.
⬅️ #PorSiTeLoPerdiste: ¡Tu líder en victorias en @LasMayores, Julio Urías! ?
⏬ Narración y comentarios@JaimeJarrin, @PepeYniguez y Fernando Valenzuela#LosDodgers pic.twitter.com/9tRTBPQPrj— Los Dodgers (@LosDodgers) September 11, 2021
The ball handling skills and presence of Argentines, Uruguayans, Chileans, Peruvians and Spaniards has been an integral part of the growing fan support for Major League Soccer (MLS), and especially the growing number Mexican players and fans, brings a special touch to games, increasing the popularity of the sport here in the U.S.
The explosive fists borne from many rough Latino neighborhoods here and abroad, deliver hooks several times a year that generate millions of dollars for dream matches at venues in Las Vegas, New York, California and Dallas, where fans witness great rivalries among Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Nicaraguans and Cuban fighters.
Other sports such as basketball, tennis, mixed martial arts, golf, and motorsports, are seeing the growing presence of athletes of Hispanic heritage help increase the number of fans attending games and listening/watching at home.
As a tribute to their legacy in MLB, we will follow in the footsteps of true legendary figures such as Puerto Rican Roberto Clemente and Mexican Fernando Valenzuela, whose careers were an example to the likes of Yadier Molina, Fernando Tatis, Manny Machado and Julio Urías, among others.
From the hardwood courts, we will present stories featuring Manu Ginobili, Eduardo Nájera, Nene Hilario, Pau Gasol, Carlos Arroyo, Al Horford, Trevor Ariza and Karl Anthony Towns, a group of true NBA warriors who became fan favorites .
? RSC #LaFamilia ❤️ | La MISIÓN de la @GasolFoundation: luchar contra la obesidad infantil.
?️ @paugasol: “@MarcGasol y yo queríamos devolver a la sociedad una parte de todo lo que nos ha dado”.#SomosEquipo pic.twitter.com/xcY4HmOL56
— Baloncesto España (@BaloncestoESP) July 16, 2021
In full line of scrimmage we will highlight Tom Flores, the first Hispanic coach in the NFL; Aldo Richins, the first Mexican in the league; and John Huarte, the first Hispanic Heisman Trophy winner.
At Unanimo Deportes we join in celebrating “Hispanic Heritage” and during the next 30 days will introduce our readers to several of the athletes that enrich our Hispanic sports culture.
