Down in south Laredo, behind Cigarroa Middle, is Freddy Benavides Park, named after the professional baseball player from our beloved city. I recall him from the early to mid 1990s and, if memory serves me right, he played for either the Atlanta Braves or Colorado Rockies. For a couple of years he was the shiz-nit here in town and he would always appear at all sorts of local gigs and events as a celebrity. At least someone from Laredo has been able to reach the Show. If anyone has more information on Freddy, leave some comments. Oh Freddy, where are you now?
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2 comments:
Your memory is almost correct.
Freddy played for the Cincinatti Reds and the Rockies, back in the day.
Once he finished his career he joined the MLB in the scouting department for the Reds organization.
He came back to Laredo in the mid 1990s as a scout and held tryouts in West Martin Field.
In 2007, he was named Minor League Field Coordinator for the Reds organization.
To be honest, I am not sure what a "minor league field coordinator" does. But, I imagine it is somewhat important.
He no longer returns to Laredo like he once did when he played for the TCU Horned Frogs or the Reds.
Freddie is still investing in Laredo. Laredo's youth that is. He is now Field Coordinator for the Cincinnati Reds. For the last four years, he has conducted a winter camp for young Laredo baseball players. He brings Pro Scouts and players to mentor the kids. He has helped hundreds of young baseball players reach their potential in the game he loves.
Freddie lives in Laredo with his family and spends as much time here as his job resposibilities allow. Freddie is a pretty low-key guy and the time he invests in his local players and his family keep him pretty busy.
Check out www.laredosuns.com if you want to learn more about his commitment to our kids. I know because my son is one of the kids he has mentored for the past four years.
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