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January 16, 2009 04:05:34
Posted By HHBM
Preston Gómez
By Amaury Pi-González
 
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame lost one of its most cherished members. Cuban born Preston Gómez passed away on Tuesday January 13 in Fullerton, California. Gómez, 85, never fully recovered after suffering severe injures at a Blyth, California, gas station last year as he and his wife were driving back from Tempe, Arizona, Spring Training home of the Los Angels Angel, to their home in Anaheim.
 
Preston Gúmez played for the Washington Senators in 1944, he was also a coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1965 under legendary manager Walter Alston. His full name was Pedro (Preston) Gómez. Born in sugar mill in the province of Havana, Cuba by the name of Central Preston, hence his name Preston. He managed in Mexico and also the powerful Cuban Sugar Kings of the old International League in the early 1960's in Cuba.
 
His claim to fame was as the first ever Hispanic manager from the beginning of a season in the Major Leagues, when he managed the expasion San Diego Padres in 1969. Back in 1938, another Cuban, Miguel (Mike)Angel González, was named interim manager of the St Louis Cardinals during the middle of the season after the team fired their manager, but Gómez was the first Hispanic ever to be name manager at the beginning of a season.
 
For 25 years Preston Gómez worked for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, as advisor to the owners. Last time I spoke with him was during Spring Training 2008(middle of March) in Arizona. He was a real Ambassador to the game. As a matter of fact, he didn't wanted to talk about this, but prior to the exhibition games in 1998 between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cuban National Baseball team, Commissioner Bud H. Selig asked Preston to travel to Cuba and to meet with Fidel Castro to negotiate the conditions of that historic series in which the Orioles traveled to Havana to play. The first time in over 40 years that has happened, since Cuba and the United States have no diplomatic relations since 1961.It is still prohibited to American citizens to travel to Cuba from the United States.
 
The HHBM will miss the affable Preston Gómez an Ambassador of the game, and one that made all Hispanics proud. Our condolences to his family as well as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
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January 1, 2009 07:18:45
Posted By HHBM

HHBM HOFer Orlando Cepeda

The Hispanic Heritage Museum Hall of Fame inducted pitcher Alex Fernandez, and presented batting coach Rudy Jaramillo and outfielder Jesus Alou with the Pionner Award for their baseball achievements and community involvement in September 2008. Special on-field ceremonies will take place at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Rangers Ballpark in Arlignton TX, Minute Maid Park, Houston, are were led off with a tribute to Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda at Chase Field in Phoenix. 

Presented by Johnnie Walker and produced by Eventus, the on-field tributes to these Latino greats were accompanied by a special baseball memorabilia exhibit, featuring iconic items from players and teams representing Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela, and Cuba.

“We are very pleased to bring the induction ceremonies of these outstanding honorees and the exhibit directly to the fans”, said Tito Avila, founder and president of The Hispanic Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame.  “We are grateful to Johnnie Walker, for their contribution in making this happen. It is important to highlight the achievements of Latino baseball players on and off the field in order to set an example for our youth. The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum’s is committed to preserve the legacy of Latinos’ contributions to the great game of baseball,” added Avila. 
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January 1, 2009 07:00:57
Posted By HHBM
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum, Inc., was established in 1999, as a not for profit institution dedicated to recognizing the contributions made to baseball by its Hispanic players. The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum is committed to preserving the history and profound influence that Hispanic players have had on "America's Favorite Past Time". Our primary purpose is to provide a center where displays of Hispanic baseball history will educate visitors on the true meaning of diversity, as exemplified in sports.
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