Countdown to 2017 HOF Inductions: Álex Pompez

Pioneer, executive, owner and scout, Álex Pompez is the one Latino enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum who never played professional ball.

But his legacy is just as important and impressive. He opened the doors for Latin Americans in the Negro Leagues, ran the Cuban Stars and New York Cubans, and helped sign future Hall of Famers Martín Dihigo, Monte Irvin, Willie Mays, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda and Willie McCovey.

In short, Pompez knew talent. As we near Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodríguez’s induction into the Hall of Fame, we honor a man whose vision and perseverance gave Latinos and blacks a stage in the game when few others would.