Latinos in U.S. Sport: A History of Isolation, Cultural Identity, and Acceptance is the first comprehensive exploration of Latino culture and its relationship to sport in what is now the United States. Spanning a period of 500 years from the 16th century to the present and discussing a wide range of Latino communities, regions, and sports, Latinos in U.S. Sport offers an accessible examination of the Latino sporting experience in the United States by covering topics ranging from cultural issues to economics. Using newspaper accounts and primary sources as well as dissertations and scholarly articles from history, education, sport business, and other disciplines, the authors provide a thorough and enlightening account of this population’s role in U.S. sport history. The text details the experiences of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, and others as it chronicles the community, school-based, and professional influences of Latinos within a variety of sports and sport contexts. The authors discuss the evolution of sport, games, and physical activity. They also examine the shifting perceptions both within and outside of the Latino community and the outcomes of these changes. The timeline within the text gives readers a visual presentation of the key events and figures in this culture’s history. The book highlights Latino athletes and teams who overcame great odds to succeed at the local, high school, collegiate, and professional levels and details the early participation of such individuals in international athletic competitions, such as the Olympics and Pan-American Games. In addition to examining well-known figures such as Nancy López, Chi Chi Rodríguez, Pancho González, and Roberto Clemente, special Unknown Heroes sidebars introduce readers to many lesser-known but influential athletes and coaches. Latinos in U.S. Sport begins by detailing the games and diversions particular to the Spanish conquistadors, various Native American groups, and the integrated culture of the mestizo, and it traces the ways in which American influence moved into these regions. Moving ahead to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the text describes how European Americans used baseball as part of their attempt to bring “civilization” to the areas of the Caribbean and the Southwest. The text also discusses how the success of Cubans and other Latin Americans within Major League and Negro League Baseball helped to challenge the perception of Spanish speakers among the broader U.S. population. The final section of the book discusses the increasing presence of Latinos in all fields of sport competition, their growing presence in management and ownership of sport franchises, and their increasing economic power as consumers of athletic events.Latinos in U.S. Sport presents a long-overdue look at the history of Latino participation in multiple facets of American sport and provides a balanced and more complete history of the contribution of Spanish-speaking people to the history of U.S. sport. The text aims to generate discussion and inspire further recognition of the influence of Latinos in the U.S. sport world.

Latinos in U.S Sport: A History of Isolation, Cultural Identity, and Acceptance

History

Iber, Jorge

De León, Arnoldo

Regalado, Samuel O.

Alamillo, Jose

Americas

Human Kinetics

The history of baseball is filled with players whose careers were defined by one bad play. Mike Torrez is remembered as the pitcher who gave up the infamous three-run homer to Bucky "Bleeping" Dent in the 1978 playoffs tie-breaker between the Red Sox and Yankees. Yet Torrez's life added up to much more than his worst moment on the mound. Coming from a vibrant Mexican American community that settled in Topeka, Kansas, in the early 1900s, he made it to the Majors by his own talent and efforts, with the help of an athletic program for Mexican youth that spread through the Midwest, Texas and Mexico during the 20th century. He was in the middle of many transformative events of the 1970s--such as the rise of free agency--and was an ethnic role model in the years before the "Fernandomania" of 1981. This book covers Torrez's life and career as the winningest Mexican American pitcher in Major League history.

Mike Torrez: A Baseball Biography

Biographies & Memoirs

Community & Culture

McFarland Company

As immigrants came to the United States from Mexico, the term "Greater Mexico" was coined to specify the area of their greatest concentration. America's southwest border was soon heavily populated with Mexico's people, culture, and language. In Hispanics in the Mormon Zion, 1912–1999, however, Jorge Iber shows this Greater Mexico was even greater than presumed as he explores the Hispanic population in one of the "whitest" states in the Union—Utah. By 1997, Hispanics were a notable part of Utah's population as they could be found in all of the state's major cities working in tourist, industrial, and service occupations. Although these characteristics reflect the population trends in other states, Iber centers on those aspects that set Utah's Hispanic comunidad apart from the rest. Iber focuses on the significance of why many in the Utah Hispanic comunidad are leaving Catholicism for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). He examines how conversion affects the Spanish-speaking population and how these Hispanic believers are affecting the Mormon Church. Iber also concentrates on the geographic separation of Hispanics in Utah from their Mexican, Latin American, New Mexican, and Coloradoan roots. He examines patterns of Hispanic assimilation and acculturation in a setting which is vastly different from other Western and Southwestern states. Hispanics in the Mormon Zion, 1912–1999 is an important source for scholars in ethnic studies, American studies, religion, and Western history. Drawing on both oral and written histories collected by the University of Utah and many notable organizations including the American G.I. Forum, SOCIO, Centro de la Familia, the Salt Lake Catholic Diocese, and the LDS Church, Iber has compiled an interesting and informative study of the experience of Hispanics in Utah, which represents "another fragment in the expanding mosaic that is the history of the Spanish-speaking people of the United States.”

Hispanics in the Mormon Zion, 1912-1999 (Volume 22) (Elma Dill Russell Spencer Series in the West and Southwest)

Texas A&M University Press

Mexican American Baseball in South Texas pays tribute to the former baseball teams and players from Edinburg, McAllen, Mission, Pharr, Donna, Alamo, San Juan, Brownsville, Harlingen, and other surrounding communities. From the late 19th century through the 1950s, baseball in South Texas provided opportunities for nurturing athletic and educational skills, reaffirming ethnic identity, promoting political self-determination, developing economic autonomy, and reshaping gender roles for women. Games were special times where Mexican Americans found refuge from backbreaking work and prejudice. These unmatched photographs and stories shed light on the rich history of baseball in this region of Texas.

Mexican American Baseball in South Texas (Images of Baseball)

Arts & Photography

Santillán, Richard A.

Garrett, Gregory

Coronado, Juan D.

Zamora, Roberto

Photography & Video

Arcadia Publishing

In 1927 Cuban national Ignacio S. Molinet was recruited to play with the Frankford Yellow Jackets of the old NFL for a single season. Mexican national Jose Martinez-Zorrilla achieved 1932 All-American honors. These are the beginnings of the Latino experience in American Football, which continues amidst a remarkable and diversified setting of Hispanic nationalities and ethnic groups. This history of Latinos in American Football dispels the myths that baseball, boxing, and soccer are the chosen and competent sports for Spanish-surname athletes. The book documents their fascination for the sport that initially denied their participation but that could not discourage their determination to master the game.

Latinos in American Football: Pathbreakers on the Gridiron, 1927 to the Present

Longoria, Mario

McFarland

Gabriel ?Gabe? Rivera was one of the greatest players in the history of Texas Tech football. He earned All American status, was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame, and saw his name elevated to the Texas Tech Ring of Honor. After his college career, Rivera became a first-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1983, but his career would be tragically cut short by an accident during his rookie year that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Sports historian Jorge Iber?s newest book chronicles this Mexican American athlete?s rise to prominence and later life. Beginning with the Rivera family in Crystal City, Texas, a hotbed of Chicano activism in the late 1960s, Señor Sack seeks to understand how athletic success impacted the Rivera family?s most famous son on his route to stardom. Football provided this family with opportunities that were not often available to other Mexican Americans during the 1940s and 1950s. While Rivera?s injury seriously derailed his life, Señor Sack also chronicles his struggle to regain a sense of purpose. With great effort and despite adversity, over the final two decades of his life, Rivera found meaning in helping minority youths in his community of San Antonio, serving as an example of what can be accomplished even under incredibly trying circumstances. Ultimately, the true legacy of Gabe Rivera is not just on the football field, but also in the lives he touched with his volunteer work. One of the most storied Red Raiders and a legend of Texas football, Gabe Rivera powered through many obstacles to make way for future generations of Latinos in American sports.

Señor Sack: The Life of Gabe Rivera (Texas Sports Heroes)

Historical

Texas Tech University Press

Tony Romo?s place in NFL history is a surprising story, one that Jorge and Raquel Iber tell from its unlikely origins to its happy present in clear language for middle readers. Tony?s grandfather was a migrant worker who emigrated from Mexico to Wisconsin, where he and his Texas-born Mexican American spouse fought hardscrabble for a middle-class life. Readers will learn about a Latino/a community?s struggles and triumphs in this unlikely midwestern enclave. Unlike other future superstar quarterbacks, Tony didn?t get to play for a large city high school team. He was barely noticed by college recruiters, and his only real path to the next level came at a small school, Eastern Illinois University. At EIU, Tony fought his way to become the starting quarterback. The story repeated itself in the NFL, when Tony battled his way from undrafted prospect all the way to All-Pro starting quarterback for the most famous NFL franchise in the world, the Dallas Cowboys. A must-read for young Cowboy fans and their parents, Jorge and Raquel?s book places Tony?s life story among other famous figures in contemporary American sports. Relive Tony?s career, his difficulties and successes. Tony is the quintessential Texas Sport Hero.

Tony Romo: A Texas Sports Hero (Texas Sports Heroes)

Children's Books

Iber, Raquel

Biographies

This work provides a revealing look at the history of Hispanic peoples in the American West (or, from the Mexican perspective, El Norte) from the period of Spanish colonization through the present day.
 • Includes maps, photos, and a comprehensive index as well as biographical sketches within each chapter that personalize the themes, recounting the lives of individuals caught up in the sweep of history
• Covers Hispanic Americans of all origins, offering discussions of the differences among these groups not found in other publications

Hispanics in the American West (Cultures in the American West)

DeLeon, Arnoldo

Reference

ABC-CLIO

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a long history, peppered with moments significant both to Pirates fans and Major League Baseball. While the Pirates are recognized as fielding the first all-black lineup in 1971, the 66 games in this book include one of the first matchups in the majors to involve two non-white opening hurlers (Native American and Cuban) in June 1921. We relive no-hitters, World Series-winning homers, and encounter the story of the last tripleheader ever played in major-league baseball. Some of the games are wins; some are losses. All of these essays provide readers with a sense of the totality of the Pirates’ experiences: the joy, the heartbreak, and other aspects of baseball (and life) in between. This book is the work of 37 members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), including JEFF BARTO, JOHN BAUER, ROBERT E. BIONAZ , THOMAS J. BROWN JR., FREDERICK C. (RICK) BUSH, ALAN COHEN, PAUL E. DOUTRICH, DOUG FELDMANN, JEFF FINDLEY, T.S. FLYNN, GORDON J. GATTIE, TOM HAWTHORN, ROCK HOFFMAN, PAUL HOFMANN, MIKE HUBER, JORGE IBER, FRANK ITTNER, MATT KEELEAN, RUSS LAKE, BOB LEMOINE, LEN LEVIN, MARK MILLER, SETH MOLAND-KOVASH, BILL NOWLIN, RICHARD “PETE” PETERSON, STEPHEN PETERSON, RICHARD J. PUERZER, ELIZA RICHARDSON, C. PAUL ROGERS III, HARRY SCHOGER, BLAKE W. SHERRY, WAYNE STRUMPFER, JOSEPH WANCHO, BOB WEBSTER, STEVEN C. WEINER, GREGORY H. WOLF, JACK ZERBY. Contents:MAY 10, 1882: First Major-League Game in PittsburghAPRIL 22, 1891: Opening Day 1891OCTOBER 4, 1892: Pirates Set Wins RecordOCTOBER 13, 1903: First World SeriesSEPT 20, 1907: Maddox First Bucs No-HitterJUNE 29, 1909: Farewell to the Old YardJUNE 30, 1909: Forbes Field Opening DayJULY 3, 1910: Chief Hits for the CycleAUGUST 22, 1912: “Wagner Wields Willow,” Hits for the CycleOCTOBER 2, 1920: Only Major-League TripleheaderJUNE 30, 1921: “Chief” Yellow Horse Defeats LuqueJUNE 20, 1925: Cuyler, Carey, and Co. Steamroll BrooklynOCTOBER 15, 1925: Game 7 1925 World SeriesJUNE 24, 1933: Arky Vaughan Hits for the CycleJUNE 19, 1934: Traynor as Pirates ManagerAPRIL 27, 1938: Vaughan Slams CubsMAY 4, 1938: Lloyd Waner’s Big GameMAY 30, 1939: Rizzo’s Nine RBIsAUGUST 27, 1949: Tiny Bonham’s Last GameJUNE 25, 1950: Kiner Hits for the CycleSEPT 23, 1951: Dickson’s 20th WinJUNE 6, 1952: Bucs Shave The BarberAPRIL 13, 1954: Law Return from MilitaryMAY 16, 1954: Rookie Roberts Collects 3 HitsSEPT 24, 1955: Friend Clinches ERA TitleJULY 25, 1956: Clemente Grand Slams JULY 18, 1957: Arroyo’s Final VictoryMAY 1, 1958: Frank Has A Big DayMAY 26, 1959: Haddix Pitches 12 Perfect InningsAUGUST 6, 1960: “We Had 'em All the Way”OCTOBER 13, 1960: Mazeroski’s HomerAPRIL 15, 1961: Friend Bests DrysdaleSEPT 21, 1963: Gene Baker: First African American ManagerJULY 22, 1964: Mazeroski, Lynch, and Stargell Rout CardinalsJUNE 1, 1965: Veale’s 16 StrikeoutsOCTOBER 2, 1966: Matty Alou Batting TitleMAY 15, 1967: Clemente Blasts 3 HomersSEPT 20, 1969: A Trophy No-Hitter: Bob MooseJUNE 12, 1970: Dock Ellis No-HitterJUNE 28, 1970: Human Locusts DayAUGUST 14, 1971: Gib No-HitterAUGUST 23, 1971: Best Game for Al OliverSEPT 1, 1971: First All-Black LineupOCTOBER 17, 1971: World Series Game 7SEPT 30, 1972: Clemente Collects Number 3,000 in Last At-BatAPRIL 6, 1973: No Clemente in RightJUNE 13, 1973: Blass Loses ControlSEPT 16, 1975: Stennett Leads RoutSEPT 25, 1976: The Tragic Death of Bob MooseOCTOBER 3, 1976: Murtaugh’s Final GamesOCTOBER 17, 1979: Pirates Win the SeriesMAY 19, 1981: Bibby’s Near No-HitterSEPT 25, 1985:Reuschel Inspires BucsOCTOBER 13, 1992: Pirates Back Wakefield in NLCSJULY 12, 1997: Cordova, Rincon, &amp; Smith FireworksJULY 28, 2001: Pirates' ComebackJULY 2, 2010: Ohlendorf WinsJULY 26, 2011: A Really Bad CallSEPT 9, 2013: Pirates End the StreakOCTOBER 1, 2013: NL Wild Card GameJUNE 20, 2015: Scherzer No-HitterOCTOBER 7, 2015: NL Wild Card GameAPRIL 26, 2016: McCutchen 3 Home Runs

Moments of Joy and Heartbreak: 66 Significant Episodes in the History of the Pittsburgh Pirates (Sabr Digital Library)

Sports & Outdoors

Baseball

Society for American Baseball Reseearch

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