THE
INDEPENDENT - August 26, 2000
Field
of dreams
San Francisco resident
and his
supporters trying to honor great
Latino baseball players with
Hall of Fame of their own
But Avila still needs
one thing to see his dream come to fruition.
Funding.
"Twenty million (dollars) is a conservative estimate," says
Avila. "And we need a site."
Avila fears the soaring San Francisco real-estate market may drive the museum
to another city.
"This idea is deep in my soul," says Avila. "The beautifulness,
the popularity, the progressiveness of the city that brings all types of people
together. That's why I want to have it here. This is a world-class city. But
let's be realistic."
Avila has not counted out building the museum in the East Bay or possibly
in New York.
But it is San Francisco that has remained in his heart since he first came
up with the idea back in 1992.
SEPTEMBER 10 CELEBRATION
Getting a a location is just one of many roadblocks for Avila.
"I didn't know it was going to be as difficult as it is," says Avila.
"It's like a mountain."
But it's a mountain Avila and others are prepared to climb.
Avila also points out that the museum will be state-of-the art and community-oriented.
"This is everybody's thing," says Avila. "It will not only
have artifacts, but it will have classrooms, computers, any modern vehicle
we can use to be the best we can be, and to educate all youth in all fields."
The next step for Avila will take place on September 10, when the Oakland
A's will hold Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Day.
"It will be our day," says Avila. "We will have dance groups,
some ceremonies, and an area with former Latin players of today."
That day will be just another step toward the top of the mountain for Avila.
"It makes me appreciate what this country has to offer," he
says. "It's the greatest country in the world."For more information,
check out www.hispanicbaseball.com, or call toll free, 877-228-4426
Gabe
Avila didn't anticipate the obstacles to creating a museum to honor Latino
baseball players, but he is committed to bringing
his dream to fruition.
sports Editor
Gabe Avila organized a baseball team when he was 15 years old and living in East Harlem, New York. The year was 1965. Baseball was his passion.
With a red marker, he created jerseys by writing the name "Pirates" on the front of T-shirts in honor of his favorite baseball player, Pittsburgh Pirates great Reberto Clemente.
When the Pirates were in town, Avila's father would take him to see the future hall-of-famer in action.
"I would just watch him," says Avila.
Thirty-five years later, Avila, now a San Francisco resident, wants to give something back to Clemente and all the great Latino players in the game's history - a museum to honor them.
Sure, there's already the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, which honors all baseball players.
But Avila, along with a dedicated group of supporters, believes that recognition for Latino players for their contributions to the game has been scant at best.
Of the 249 players in the Hall of Fame, only seven are Latino.
Former San Francisco Giant Orlando Cepeda was overlooked for years despite career numbers of 379 home runs, 1,365 RBIs, and a .297 batting average.
Not surprisingly, getting Cepeda on board for the project was an easy task for Avila.
In October 1998, Avila went to a fund-raiser here in the city. Cepeda also attended.
"I met with him," says Avila. "He said, 'You know, this a great idea.' He shed a tear. He enlightened me, the way he spoke."
Avila's dream was that much closer.
On June 23, 1998, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum was incorporated.
Sixteen people of all races and nationalities make up the board. So is the Giants' Spanish play-by-play broadcaster, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez.
"This project was something [Avila] holds dearly, says Gloria Almodovar, another member of the board. "He truly believes in this project."
Latino players now make up 38 percent
of major-league ballplayers, and some are among the game's greatest stars.
Sammy Sosa. Ivan Rodriguez. Carlos Delgado. Nomar Garciaparra. Pedro Martinez. Manny Ramirez. Vladimir Guerrero Alex Rodriguez. Just to name a few.
"I felt the time was perfect now to introduce this type of facility," says Avila. "The minors are flooded [with Latino players]. The population is growing."
Avila has drawn support for the project from baseball commissioner Bud Selig, the players' union, the Giants, the Oakland A's, and individuals from baseball past and present.
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