Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Top 5 Mexican athletes


Today is Cinco de Mayo, which celebrates the Mexican army's unlikely defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. But you know it better for margaritas and tequila shots. It's also a way to celebrate Mexican heritage and show pictures of Salma Hayek, who is Mexico's gift to the world. Mexico hasn't turned out many successful pro athletes, but there are some, listed here. CINCO DE MAYO!!!!!

Honorable Mention: Eduardo Nájera, forward, New Jersey Nets


Nájera would have made the top-five -- he's only the second Mexican-born NBA player -- yet he averaged 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds this past season. Ain't gonna cut it, Eddie.

5. Jorge Cantú, infielder, Florida Marlins


This Texas-born Mexican-American hit 28 homeruns and drove in 117 runs in his first full season in the majors with Tampa in 2005. He belted 29 homers last season for Florida and has represented Mexico in the WBC in 2006 and in 2009. He once had cool, Captain-Morgan-like facial hair.

4. Adrián Gonzalez, first baseman, San Diego Padres


The first overall pick in the 2000 MLB draft (by the Marlins), Gonzalez has become the best Mexican-American baseball player in the world. He was born in San Diego, but lived in Mexico for 12 years as a kid. He was a 2008 All Star and Gold Glove winner. He also was involved in one of the most lopsided trades in recent memory, with the Rangers trading Gonzalez, pitcher Chris Young and outfielder Terrmel Sledge to the Padres in return for Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka. Worked out really well for Texas. Gonzalez is also known for hitting a double every time he's at bat, especially against the Giants. Despite his .282 lifetime batting average, it's a proven fact that he's doubled every time he's ever been up.

3. Lorena Ochoa, golfer


Ochoa is the No. 1 ranked female golfer in the world. As the first Mexican golfer of either gender to be ranked No. 1, she's considered the best Mexican golfer of all time. This doesn't change the fact that we've never heard of her.

2. Lee Trevino, golfer


Clearly not as highly regarded as Ochoa, but Trevino has faced stiffer competition -- and we'd heard of the guy, dammit. Trevino won six majors (never got that green jacket, though) and has a winning smile. Always thought he was Italian based on the name. Clearly mistaken.

1. Oscar De La Hoya, boxer


The Golden Boy had a 39-6 career record and won 10 world titles in six different weight classes. De La Hoya made nearly $700 million from pay-per-view income having gone to work 45 times in a 17-year career. Sweet deal. He may or may not have a weird fetish.

Your thoughts and Salma pictures in the comments, please.

41 comments:

Mr. Ace said...

There has to be some random soccer player from Mexico that has made it big, right?

JMC said...

Vinny Castilla was a decent ball player

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castivi02.shtml?redir

GMoney said...

Lee Trevino is no match for Lee Carvallo's Putting Challenge.

Anonymous said...

Rafael Marquez should be on there

Anonymous said...

what bout tony Romo he is half mexican and so was ted williams and Juan Manuel Marquez he is second pound for pound

Anonymous said...

I think we'd all agree Julio Cesar Chavez is the greastest of all time

Anonymous said...

What about Joakim Soria? One of the top closers in baseball right now.

Anonymous said...

Even on a typically american based list (i.e. unless it happens here who cares) Marquez at Barcelona should be on the list. Try asking mexicans about major league baseball players and I bet they wouldn't come up with the guys on this list.

Anonymous said...

Joakim Soria

The Big Picture said...

good point, anonymous 9:34. this is definitely biased as it's written from an american sports fan's standpoint.

and joakim soria is the balls. better than cantu? debatable. no way better than gonzalez.

Anonymous said...

Mark Sanchez aswell..

Anonymous said...

Hugo Sánchez - best Mexican soccer player ever. Won three league titles and five scoring titles in Spain.

Fernando Valenzuela - only pitcher ever to be rookie of the year and Cy Young.

Anonymous said...

How could you forget about the baddast Mexican ever, Anthony Munoz? On Marquez: wrong brother listed. It should be Juan Manuel Marquez!

Anonymous said...

Of what decent was Roberto Duran? Ol stone hands wasn't so bad he couldn't make a crappy list just once right?

Anonymous said...

Roberto duran is from Panama

Anonymous said...

Mexican athletes???? ROFL LMAO... bwahhhhhaaaahhhhaaahhhhaaaaaaa. That's rich...... Mexican athletes. Yep, when you think of Mexico you think of athletes...... Uh, no actually you think of drug cartels, cowardly little gang bangers, and a corrupt third-world narco state.... Mexican athletes... The ULTIMATE oxymoron.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...

what bout tony Romo he is half mexican and so was ted williams and Juan Manuel Marquez he is second pound for pound

--------------
Romo is Italian. He's from Wisconsin, not MEXIfornia.....

Anonymous said...

this is retarded

but as long as you got a hot click link, right...?

Anonymous said...

Ted Williams is a good one, Jim Plunkett is Mexican, Fernando Valenzuela, Joe Capp, Anthony Munoz, Jeff Garcia, Pancho Gozalez one of the greatest tennis player of all -time, Nomar Garcia-Parra..

There are a bunch of successful Mexican born or Mexican-American athletes!

Anonymous said...

"Mexico hasn't produced many pro athletes". Seriously, are you functionally retarded? I'm not even Mexican and I'm offended (by its stupidity. Mexico has produced many great soccer stars and a number of top race car drivers. Cuauhtemoc Blanco of the Chicago Fire is one of the great stars of world soccer. Period. Pull your head out of your a** and try using it. Stupiddest. List. Ever.

Anonymous said...

Romo is Mexican-American, his dad's family is originally from the state of Chihuahua in mexico.

Welcome to Mexifornia

RicTal said...

This list is ridiculous. 3 out the 5 aren't even Mexican. My list would include Fernando Valenzuela, Lorena Ochoa, Julio Ceasar Chavez, Roberto Duran and Hugo Sanchez. Best Mexican-American Athletes would include Oscar de la Hoya, Anthony Munoz, Nomar Garcia-Parra, Pancho Gonzales, and Lee Trevino.

Anonymous said...

Roberto Duran was from panama..

Anonymous said...

Lee TRevino and Osacr de la Hoya, Mexicans??? they dont even know were Mexico is even if you pointed it out on a Mao, many others taht are not in teh lsit

Anonymous said...

and P.S there alot of Mexicans and Mexican americans in wisconsin and the Midwest

Ned's Younger Brother said...

No mention of Chad Ocho Cinco?

Anonymous said...

ok the biggest thing wrong with this list is that Eddie Najara plays for the Denver Nuggets - who will be playing the Lakers in the Wester Conference Finals.

Per Head Services said...

How come you did not mention any soccer players?

There are some really good one that were born in Mexico.

The Hater said...

Lee Trevino is on this list, if only for the NES Game Lee Trevino's Fighting Golf.

HM said...

Munoz and Ted Williams have to lead the list

Andrew said...

NFL Hall of Fame Tackle Anthony Munoz was named
as the "best of all time" NFL team by the NFL hall of fame.

Anonymous said...

Roberto Durans father was an Army service member in Panama.

Anonymous said...

There are so many good ones in the past and today. Look who's dominating Football..... Mark Sanchez, last time I checked he wears a Mexican flag on his mouthpiece. Who's dominating MMA and UFC......Cain Velasquez, last time I checked full Mexicano. Who is scoring goals for the biggest club in the world Manchester United....Chicharito, also pure 100% Mexicano. Who dominated pitching and led their club to the playoffs in baseball.... Adrian Gonzales, also Mexicano. That's not talking about history, that's TODAY!

Anonymous said...

What about Giovani Dos Santos?? I know he's half brazilian, but he's lived in mexico his whole life, plays for Mexico, speaks spanish, and overall there is nothing brazilian about him except his last name.... he's probably the best player on the Mexican national team.. and Carlos Vela, he's pretty incredible too!!!

Anonymous said...

Giovanni dos santos was actually born in Monterrey. He is a full Mexican of Brazilian ancestry. He even has said that he is more Mexican than the taco

Anonymous said...

Giovanni dos santos was actually born in Monterrey. He is a full Mexican of Brazilian ancestry. He even has said that he is more Mexican than the taco

Anonymous said...

Giovanni dos santos was actually born in Monterrey. He is a full Mexican of Brazilian ancestry. He even has said that he is more Mexican than the taco

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