User:Marine 69-71/Autographs
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Contents: Top - Politicians and others Singers and Bands Baseball (MLB) Basketball (NBA) Basketball (Womens) (WNBA) Boxing Figure Skating Football (NFL) Golfers Ice Hockey (NHL) NASCAR NHRA and Indy 500 Soccer Tennis Wrestling (WWE) Other Sports Movie and T.V. people Notes
Politicians
Fmr. President Bill Clinton, Fmr. Vice-President Nelson Rockefeller, Queen Noor, Princess Margaret, Fmr. Puerto Rico Governors Luis A. Ferre and Pedro Rosello, President of the Puerto Rican Senate Kenneth McClintock, Fmr. Pres. of Puerto Rican Senate Miguel Hernandez Agosto, P.I.P. Leader Ruben Berrios Martinez, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Senators John Glenn, Barry Goldwater and Hillary Rodham Clinton, Fmr. Puerto Rico Senator Roberto Vigoreaux and Fmr. Puerto Rican Mayors Ramon Luis Rivera and Angel O. Berrios.
Religious Leader
Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez
others
Joseph M. Acaba, first Puerto Rican NASA astronaut
Singers and Bands
Pepe Aguilar, Paul Anka, Michael Bolton, David Bowie, Garth Brooks, Glen Campbell, Christian Castro, Iris Chacon, Kenny Chesney, Alice Cooper, Charlie Daniels, Linda Davis, Sheena Easton, Sheila E, Phil Everly, Rene Farrait, Jose Feliciano, Alejandro Fernandez, Vicente Fernandez, Alejandra Guzman, Bobby Hatfield, Julio Iglesias, Jewel Kilcher, Gladys Knight, Tracy Lawrence, Aaron Lines, Mike Love, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Bill Medley, Pilar Montenegro, Alanis Morissette, Shad Gregory Moss, Anne Murray, Ednita Nazario, Joe Nichols, Ted Nugent, Shalim Ortiz, John Popper, Bobby Pulido, Usher Raymond, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Axl Rose, Neil Sedaka, Ringo Starr, Olga Tañon, John Tesh, Devin Townsend, Lars Ulrich, Frankie Valli, Alicia Villareal, Bobby Vinton, Mark Wills, Carnie Wilson, Beach Boys, Brooks and Dunn, Chicago, Green Day, Hanson, Menudo, N'SYNC, O-Town, SHeDaisy, Symphony X, Los Temerarios, Trick Pony
Sports
Baseball (MLB)
Hank Aaron (H.O.F.89), Roberto Alomar, Sparky Anderson (H.O.F.00), Luis Aparicio (H.O.F.84), Luke Appling (H.O.F.64), Richie Ashburn (H.O.F.95), Jeff Bagwell, Harold Baines. Ernie Banks (H.O.F.77), Al Barlick (H.O.F.89), Johnny Bench (H.O.F.89), Yogi Berra (H.O.F.72), Craig Biggio, Joe Black (Negro Leagues), Vida Blue, Bert Blyleven, Wade Boggs (H.O.F.05), Barry Bonds, Lou Boudreau (H.O.F.70), Ralph Branca, George Brett (H.O.F.99), Lou Brock (H.O.F.85), Jim Bunning (H.O.F.96), Jose Canseco, Harry Caray (H.O.F.89), Rod Carew (H.O.F.91), Steve Carlton (H.O.F.94), Gary Carter (H.O.F.03), Joe Carter, Orlando Cepeda (H.O.F.99), Jose Cruz Sr.. Andre Dawson, Carlos Delgado, Joe DiMaggio (H.O.F.55), Larry Doby (H.O.F.98), Bobby Doerr (H.O.F.86), Dennis Eckersley (H.O.F.04), Bob Feller (H.O.F.62), Rick Ferrell (H.O.F.84), Rollie Fingers (H.O.F.92), Carlton Fisk (H.O.F.00), Whitey Ford (H.O.F.74), George Foster, John Franco, Bob Gibson (H.O.F.81), Tom Glavine, Juan Gonzalez, Rich Gossage (H.O.F.08), Ken Griffey Jr., Vladimir Guerrero, Tony Gwynn(H.O.F.07), Rickey Henderson, Keith Hernandez, Orel Hershiser, Jim "Catfish" Hunter (H.O.F.87), Monte Irvin (H.O.F.73), Reggie Jackson (H.O.F.93), Ferguson Jenkins (H.O.F.91), Derek Jeter, Randy Johnson, Al Kaline (H.O.F.80), George Kell (H.O.F.83), Harmon Killebrew (H.O.F.84), Ralph Kiner (H.O.F.75), Sandy Koufax (H.O.F.72), Don Larsen, Tony LaRussa, Tommy Lasorda (H.O.F.97), Bob Lemon (H.O.F.78), Buck Leonard (H.O.F.72), Al Lopez (H.O.F.77), Lee MacPhail (H.O.F.98), Greg Maddux, Mickey Mantle (H.O.F.74), Juan Marichal (H.O.F.83), Edgar Martinez, Pedro Martinez, Eddie Mathews (H.O.F.78), Willie Mays (H.O.F.79), Bill Mazeroski (H.O.F.01), Willie McCovey (H.O.F.86), Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Minnie Minoso, Johnny Mize (H.O.F.81), Paul Molitor (H.O.F.04), Joe Morgan (H.O.F. 90), Eddie Murray (H.O.F.03), Stan Musial (H.O.F.69), Hal Newhouser (H.O.F.92), Phil Niekro (H.O.F.97), Buck O'Neil, Tony Oliva, Rafael Palmeiro, Jim Palmer (H.O.F.90), Tony Perez (H.O.F.00), Gaylord Perry (H.O.F. 91), Mike Piazza, Kirby Puckett (H.O.F.01), Albert Pujols, Pee Wee Reese (H.O.F.84), Jim Rice, Cal Ripken Jr.(H.O.F.07), Mariano Rivera, Phil Rizzuto (H.O.F.94), Robin Roberts (H.O.F.76), Brooks Robinson (H.O.F.83), Frank Robinson (H.O.F.82), Alex Rodriguez, Ivan Rodriguez, Pete Rose, Nolan Ryan (H.O.F.99), Ryne Sandberg (H.O.F.05), Ron Santo, Mike Schmidt (H.O.F. 95), Red Schoendienst (H.O.F.89), Tom Seaver (H.O.F.92), Enos Slaughter (H.O.F.85), Lee Smith, Ozzie Smith (H.O.F.02), John Smoltz, Duke Snider (H.O.F.80), Sammy Sosa, Warren Spahn (H.O.F.73), Willie Stargell (H.O.F.88), Don Sutton (H.O.F.98), Ichiro Suzuki, Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Bobby Thomson, Joe Torre, Alan Trammell, Bob Uecker (H.O.F.03), Fernando Valenzuela, Earl Weaver (H.O.F.96), Hoyt Wilhelm (H.O.F.85), Dick Williams (H.O.F. 08), Billy Williams (H.O.F.87), Ted Williams (H.O.F.66), Maury Wills, Dave Winfield (H.O.F.01), Early Wynn (H.O.F.72),- Carl Yastrzemski (H.O.F.72), Robin Yount (H.O.F.99)
Basketball (NBA)
Charles Barkley (H.O.F.06), Rick Barry (H.O.F.86), Elgin Baylor (H.O.F.76), Walt Bellamy (H.O.F.93), Larry Bird (H.O.F.98), Kobe Bryant, Lou Carnesecca (H.O.F.92), Van Chancellor H.O.F.01), Jerry Colangelo (H.O.F.04), Bob Cousy (H.O.F.70), Dave Cowens (H.O.F.90), Chuck Daly (H.O.F.94), Clyde Drexler (H.O.F.04), Joe Dumars (H.O.F.06), Tim Duncan, Julius Erving (H.O.F.92), Walt Frazier (H.O.F.86), Harry Gallatin (H.O.F.91), George Gervin (H.O.F.96), Tom Gola (H.O.F.74), Hal Greer (H.O.F.81), Connie Hawkins (H.O.F.92), Elvin Hayes (H.O.F.89), Chick Hearn (H.O.F.03), Tom Heinsohn (H.O.F.86), Dan Issel (H.O.F.93), Phil Jackson (H.O.F.07), Buddy Jeannette (H.O.F.94), Magic Johnson (H.O.F.02), K.C. Jones (H.O.F.88), Michael Jordan, Jason Kidd, Bobby Knight (H.O.F.90), Christian Laettner, Bob Lanier (H.O.F.91), Meadowlark Lemon (H.O.F.03), Karl Malone, Al McGuire (H.O.F.92), Kevin McHale (H.O.F.99), Reggie Miller, Mario Morales, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon (H.O.F.08), Jose Ortiz, Scottie Pippen, Frank Ramsey (H.O.F.81), Pat Riley (H.O.F.08), David Robinson, Dennis Rodman, Dolph Schayes (H.O.F.72), Bill Sharman (H.O.F.75), Wes Unseld (H.O.F.87), Bill Walton (H.O.F.92), Lenny Wilkins (H.O.F.88), Dominique Wilkins (H.O.F.06), John Wooden (H.O.F.72)
Basketball (Womens) (WNBA)
Jennifer Azzi, Carol Blazejowski (H.O.F.94), Cynthia Cooper, Anne Donovan (H.O.F.95), Lisa Leslie, Nancy Lieberman-Cline (H.O.F.97), Rebecca Lobo, Cheryl Miller (H.O.F.95), Pat Summitt (H.O.F.00), Sheryl Swoopes, Lynette Woodard (H.O.F.04)
Boxing
Muhammed Ali (H.O.F.90), Carmen Basilio (H.O.F.90), Wilfred Benitez (H.O.F.96), Hector Camacho, Yori Boy Campas, Michael Carbajal (H.O.F.06), Jorge Castro, Julio Cesar Chavez, Gerry Cooney, Bobby Czyz, Oscar De La Hoya, Roberto Duran (H.O.F.07), Lou Duva (H.O.F.98), Alfredo Escalera, George Foreman (H.O.F.03), Bob Foster (H.O.F.90), Joe Frazier (H.O.F.90), Acelino Freitas, Wilfredo Gomez (H.O.F.95), Larry Holmes (H.O.F.08), Marvelous Marvin Hagler (H.O.F. 93), Evander Holyfield, Vassiliy Jirov, Roy Jones Jr, Jake LaMotta (H.O.F.90), Ray Leonard (H.O.F.97), Lennox Lewis, Ricardo Lopez (H.O.F.07), Ray Mancini, Antonio Margarito, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Alberto Mercado, John John Molina, Pedro Montañez (H.O.F.07), Ken Norton (H.O.F.92), Carlos Ortiz (H.O.F.91), Jorge Paez, Carlos Palomino (H.O.F.04), Floyd Patterson (H.O.F.91), Willie Pep (H.O.F.90), Mando Ramos, Edwin Rosario (H.O.F.06), John Ruiz, Max Schmeling (H.O.F.92), Samuel Serrano, Leon Spinks, Emanuel Steward (H.O.F.96), Bert Sugar (H.O.F.05), James Toney, Jose Torres (H.O.F.97), Felix Trinidad, Kostya Tszyu, Mike Tyson, Fernando Vargas, Pernell Whitaker (H.O.F.07), Christy Martin, Laura Serrano, Ada Velez
Figure Skating
Dorothy Hamill (H.O.F.91), Scott Hamilton (H.O.F.90), Nancy Kerrigan (H.O.F.04), Michelle Kwan, Tara Lipinski, Kristi Yamaguchi (H.O.F.91)
Football (NFL)
Herb Adderley (H.O.F.80), Troy Aikman (H.O.F.06), Doug Atkins (H.O.F.82), Morris Badgro (H.O.F.81), Chuck Bednarik (H.O.F.67), Bobby Bell (H.O.F.83), Raymond Berry (H.O.F.73), Fred Biletnikoff (H.O.F.88), George Blanda (H.O.F.81), Drew Bledsoe, Terry Bradshaw (H.O.F.89), Roosevelt Brown (H.O.F.75), Willie Brown (H.O.F.84), Dick Butkus (H.O.F.79), Earl Campbell (H.O.F.91), Tony Canadeo (H.O.F.74), George Connor (H.O.F.75), Willie Davis (H.O.F.81), Len Dawson (H.O.F.87), Mike Ditka (H.O.F.88), Art Donovan (H.O.F.68), Tony Dorsett (H.O.F.94), Bill Dudley (H.O.F.66), John Elway (H.O.F.04), Weeb Ewbank (H.O.F.78), Tom Fears (H.O.F.70), Dan Fouts (H.O.F.93), Frank Gatski (H.O.F.85), Joe Gibbs (H.O.F.96), Frank Gifford (H.O.F.77), Sid Gillman (H.O.F.83), Otto Graham (H.O.F.65), Joe Greene (H.O.F.87), Forrest Gregg (H.O.F.77), Bob Griese (H.O.F.90), Lou Groza (H.O.F.74), Jack Ham (H.O.F.88), John Hannah (H.O.F.91), Ted Hendricks (H.O.F.90), Elroy Hirsch (H.O.F.68), Ken Houston(H.O.F.86), Sam Huff (H.O.F.82), Lamar Hunt (H.O.F.72), Don Hutson (H.O.F.63), John H. Johnson (H.O.F.87), Deacon Jones (H.O.F.80), Stan Jones (H.O.F.91), Sonny Jurgensen (H.O.F.83), Jim Kelly (H.O.F.02), Jack Kemp, Frank Kush (H.O.F.95), Tom Landry (H.O.F.90), Dick Lane (H.O.F.74), Jim Langer (H.O.F.87), Willie Lanier (H.O.F.86), Steve Largent (H.O.F.95), Yale Lary (H.O.F.79), Dante Lavelli (H.O.F.75), Bob Lilly (H.O.F.80), Sid Luckman (H.O.F.65), Gino Marchetti (H.O.F.72), Dan Marino (H.O.F.05), George McAfee (H.O.F.66), Mike McCormack (H.O.F.84), Bobby Mitchell (H.O.F.83), Joe Montana (H.O.F.00), Warren Moon (H.O.F.06), Lenny Moore (H.O.F.75), Marion Motley (H.O.F.68), Anthony Munoz (H.O.F.98), George Musso (H.O.F.82), Joe Namath (H.O.F.85), Ray Nitschke (H.O.F.78), Merlin Olsen (H.O.F.82), Jim Otto (H.O.F.80), Alan Page (H.O.F.88), Clarence Parker (H.O.F.72), Jim Parker (H.O.F.73), Jerry Rice (H.O.F.06), Jim Ringo (H.O.F.81), Andy Robustelli (H.O.F.71), Deion Sanders, O.J. Santiago, Gale Sayers (H.O.F.77), Joe Schmidt (H.O.F.73), Tex Schramm (H.O.F.91), Art Shell (H.O.F.89), Don Shula (H.O.F.97), Mike Singletary (H.O.F.98), Bart Starr (H.O.F.77), Roger Staubach (H.O.F.85), Jan Stenerud (H.O.F.91), Charley Taylor (H.O.F.84), Jim Taylor (H.O.F.76), Joe Theismann, Y.A. Tittle (H.O.F.71), Charley Trippi (H.O.F.68), Johnny Unitas (H.O.F.87), Gene Upshaw (H.O.F.87), Steve Van Buren (H.O.F.65), Paul Warfield (H.O.F.65), Arnie Weinmeister (H.O.F.84), Danny White (H.O.F.97), Reggie White (H.O.F.06), Bill Willis (H.O.F.77), Larry Wilson (H.O.F.78), Willie Wood (H.O.F.89), Steve Young (H.O.F.05)
Golfers
Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Juan "Chi-Chi" Rodriguez
Ice Hockey (NHL)
Tony Amonte, Bobby Clarke (H.O.F.87), Mike Eruzione, Sergei Fedorov, Peter Forsberg, Grant Fuhr (H.O.F.03), Mike Gartner (H.O.F.01), Wayne Gretzky (H.O.F.99), Dominik Hasek, Gordie Howe (H.O.F.72), Bobby Hull (H.O.F.83), Brett Hull, Jaromir Jagr, Guy Lafleur (H.O.F.88), Mario Lemieux (H.O.F.97), Eric Lindros, Al MacInnis(H.O.F.07), Mark Messier(H.O.F.07), Stan Mikita (H.O.F.83), Brad Park (H.O.F.88), Jeremy Roenick, Patrick Roy (H.O.F.06), Joe Sakic, Teemu Selanne, Steve Yzerman
NASCAR
Geoff Bodine, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt (H.O.F.02), Bill Elliott (H.O.F.07), Harry Gant, Jeff Gordon, Ernie Irvan, Dale Jarrett, Terry Labonte, Mark Martin, Richard Petty (H.O.F.97), Ricky Rudd, Tony Stewart, Rusty Wallace, Darrell Waltrip (H.O.F.03)
NHRA and Indy 500
Joe Amato (H.O.F.04), Mario Andretti (H.O.F.98), John Force (H.O.F. 08), Janet Guthrie, Rick Mears (H.O.F.98), Cruz Pedregon, Tom Sneva (H.O.F.05), Al Unser Jr.
Soccer
Marcelo Balboa (H.O.F.05), Jared Borgetti, Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm (H.O.F.07), Dominic Kinnear, Tony Meola, Tab Ramos (H.O.F.05), Marcelo Salas, Hugo Sanchez, Eric Wynalda
Tennis
Andre Agassi, Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Martina Hingis, Anna Kournikova, Conchita Martinez, Carlos Moya, Mary Pierce, Patrick Rafter (H.O.F.06), Pete Sampras (H.O.F.07), Barbara Schett, Monica Seles, Serena Williams
Wrestling (WWE)
Kurt Angle (H.O.F.01), Lillian "The Fabulous Moolah" Ellison (H.O.F.95), Rick Flair (H.O.F. 08), Mick Foley, Bill Goldberg, Eddie Guerrero (H.O.F.06), Scott Hall, Bobby Heenan (H.O.F.04), Curt "Mr. Perfect" Henning (H.O.F.07), Joanie "Chyna" Laurer, Vince McMahon (H.O.F.96), Robert "Sgt. Slaughter" Remus (H.O.F.04), Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mae Young (H.O.F.04)
Other Sports
Steve Caballero - Skateboard, Estelle Caito (H.O.F.73) - Softball, Dennis Conner (H.O.F.82) - Yachtsman, Janet Evans (H.O.F.01) - Swimming, Jennie Finch - Softball, Jorge Gonzalez - Marathon, Gary Hall Sr. (H.O.F.81), Billie Harris (H.O.F.82) - softball, Tony Hawk - Skateboard, Bruce Jenner (H.O.F.80) - Track, Bill Johnson - Skiing, Jackie Joyner-Kersee (H.O.F.04) - Track, Bela Karolyi (H.O.F.97) - Gymnastics, Olga Korbut (H.O.F.88) - Gymnastics, Carl Lewis (H.O.F.01) - Track, Greg Louganis (H.O.F.85) - Diver, Kerri Strug (H.O.F.02) - Gymnastics, Dot Wilkinson (H.O.F.70) - Softball
Movie and T.V. people
Jose Miguel Agrelot, Pamela Anderson, Bob Barker, Jacqueline Bisset, Art Carney, Veronica Castro, Tommy Chong, Tim Conway, David Cooperfield, Robert De Niro, Kate Del Castillo, Phyllis Diller, Hilary Duff, Erik Estrada, Annette Funicello, Kathie Lee Gifford, Paul Gleason, Danny Glover, Larry Hagman, Melissa Joan Hart, Alfred D. Herger, Bob Hope, Saul Lisazo, Adamari Lopez, Shirley Maclaine, Edward James Olmos, Lynn Redgrave, Della Reese, Burt Reynolds, Debbie Reynolds, Fred Rogers, Judy Sheindlin, Richard Simmons, Elizabeth Taylor, John Travolta, Gloria Trevi, Dick Van Dyke
I listed only the most notable people I've met and whose autographs that I have since there over 1,800 items in my collection
* H.O.F. = Hall of Fame Inductees
Notes
- 1. I met President Bill Clinton by accident. I was waiting for baseball player Roberto Alomar, when he showed up. Nice guy, we talked, took pictures and he signed a baseball.
- 2. My son, Antonio, was blessed by Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez
- 3. Former Puerto Rican governor Dr. Pedro Rosello was our family doctor.
- 4. Ednita Nazario sang "Happy Birthday" to my wife when we went to celebrate her 19th Birthday at the Caribe Hilton.
- 5. My son and I were one on one with boxing icon Muhammed Ali. He even did an improvised sparring section with my son.
- 6. My aunt was Lolita Lebrons best friend and was runner up in the beauty contest that Lolita won.
- 7. We are personal friends of Puerto Rican boxing legend Wilfred Benitez and his mother Clara Benitez. We get in touch via telephone at least once a month.
- 8. We received two boxing gloves in the mail, autographed by boxers Felix Trinidad, Jose Torres, Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez, Alfredo Escalera, Samuel Serrano, John Ruiz, Jose Miguel Cotto, John John Molina, Hector "Macho" Camacho, David Alicea and naturally by Clara Benitez who sent us the gloves.
- 9. During the Super Bowl celebrated in Phoenix, I had a hunch (feeling) that I was going to meet Joe Namath. When I did I thanked him for winning the Super Bowl lll while I was serving in Vietnam. We spoke about many things and at the end he thanked me for serving my country.
- 10. When I met Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, we hit it off since he is a former Marine. He signed everything I had including a 30+ year old picture of me in my Marine uniform holding a copy of the Daily News declaring the N.Y. Mets World Champs. He even wrote his serial number.
- 11. Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn gave my son, Jose, and me his game-used bat and autographed it on a bet. I ask him to sign a "Tony Gwynn Model" bat which I had because my son had a doctor's appointment. He said that if I can proof that my son had an appointment not only would he sign that bat but, he would also sign one of his game-used bats. I showed him proof.
- 12. After the great homerun race of 1998, Beckett Baseball Magazine featured Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa on the back and front covers of one of thier issues. I had the magazine signed by both players.
- 13. I became friends and had diner with Astros and Puerto Rican baseball legend Jose "Cheo" Cruz. He paid.
- 14. The father of Sugar Ray Leonard, took my son Antonio and me to the training camp of the champ where we took pictures and got autographs. Leonard paid my son's lunch.
- 15. When the former members of Menudo came to town to sing in the "Re-Encuentro", they gave us front roll tickets to their concert.
- 16. Negro League legend Buck O'Neil played catch with my son Jose. He was a quest speaker at a Martin Luthur King Day Luncheon.
- 17. Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley (The Righteous Brothers), signed a CD for us after a concert. Hatfield died the following week.
- 18. Singer Shalim, spent time with us and from the stage told his public that we were his family.
- 19. My son, Antonio (lucky guy), has been kissed by Charytin and Lynette Woodard.
- 20. My son and I met with boxing Hall of Famer Emanuel Steward in his hotel room to talk about boxing when he was promoting a Lennox Lewis fight.
- 21. Celtics legend Bob Cousy once attended the same high school that I did. When we met we became fast friends and needless to say all the autographed stuff that I have.
- 22. Actor Tommy Chong once gave me tickets to attend a celebrity gathering at "Planet Hollywood". There I met boxing legend Jake LaMotta and football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers.
- 23. I was at a show with my son Jose, who at that time had a cast on his broken arm. Yankees legend and Hall of Famer Whitey Ford was there and signed my sons cast.
- 24. My family and I hanged around with Wilfredo Gomez and Hector Camacho when they came to town for a boxing event. We all sang Puerto Rican themed songs in the hotels lobby.
- 25. NASCAR legend Harry Gant sent my family a personal invitation to meet with him at the speedway pits.
- 26. I had the pleasure of seeing Mark McGwire hit a ball out of Bank One Ballpark during practice. A very diffcult feat considering that the ball had to go through a window in the dome.
- 27. Hotel emloyees confused my son (Antonio) and me with newspaper reporters and ushered us to the boxing press conferrence between Julio Cesar Chavez and Oscar De La Hoya.
- 28. My son, Antonio, stepped up to the ring and had a make believe fight with Alberto Mercado and knocked him out (smile).
- 29. With my son's, I visited the following former boxing champions in thier homes, Samuel Serrano, Ossie Ocasio, Julian Solis, Puerto Rican Olympic Silver Medalest Luis Ortiz and boxing legend Pedro Montañez.
- 30. I became friends with actor Erik Estrada, who gave us a car seat as a gift, for my granddaugther Nina .
- 31. My son, Antonio, is friends with boxers Delia Gonzalez, Genaro Hernandez and Ahmed Santos.
- 32 My son, (lucky guy again), became friends with Pilar Montenegro quickly.
- 33. I once invited Tommy "Cirilo" Cruz, Jose "Cheo" Cruz's brother and batting coach for the Seattle Mariners, to bring some Puerto Rican baseball players to my house for lunch. The next day he arrived with a Mariners van full of players.
- 34. Famous Puerto Rican painter Antonio Broccoli Porto sent me his autograph and some postcards with his paintings.
- 35. In 2006, my family received an autograph and a Christmas card from boxing Hall of Famer Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Now, that was a complete unexpected surprise.
- 36. Renown Puerto Rican author and master guitarmaker William R. Cumpiano sent me two DVD's written, directed and produced by him as a Christmas gift.
- 37. I was included in the Memorial Day (2007) speech of Kenneth McClintock, the President of the Puerto Rican Senate and have established a friendship with him via e-mails.
- 38. My son and I spoke to boxing champion Yori Boy Campas a few days before one of his fights. At the press conference before the fight day, Campas dedicated the fight to Mexicans, and then, upon seeing my son, he added "and all the rest of Latin Americans" (he knew we are Puerto Rican).
- 39. On November 28, 2007, I received the greatest honor when the President of Puerto Rico's Senate, the honorable Kenneth McClintock in the company of various Senators presented me with the Puerto Rico Senate Resolution #3603 in recognition to my written work of the military history of Puerto Rico in the Internet. A recognition which I did not expect and which I humblely accepted.
- 40.
(L-R) Milagros, Tony (The Marine) Santiago and Bill Clinton
On Monday, May 26, 2008, I was publicly recognized by the Government of Puerto Rico as a Historian who has written the biographies of prominent Puerto Ricans who have served in the military. I was invited to the Puerto Rican Capitol Building and in the presence of my wife Milagros, members of the Puerto Rican Senate and the Camera, was presented me with a gift by the President of the Puerto Rican Senate, the Honorable Kenneth McClintock. Also, present in my recognition was the former President of the United States Bill Clinton and his wife, New York State Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Brigadier General Hector E. Pagan, the Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School, presented me with a medal of excellence. I was also recognized in speech given by Mr. De La Luce, in representation of Luis G. Fortuño, the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico to the United States Congress, during the ceremonies held in front of the Capital Building in which the names of Puerto Rico's fallen soldiers were unveiled.
