1927 Mike De La Fuente
MARIO “MIKE” DE LA FUENTE is the first citizen of Mexico inducted into the HOH. During his years at Texas, he only lost one collegiate game. Mike De La Fuente overcame discrimination to become the first Hispanic to receive a scholarship to play baseball at Texas.
On September 7, 1927, Mike De La Fuente was turned down for room and board because of his nationality. De La Fuente moved in with the janitor, and when he reported to baseball practice on the freshman team, the coach assumed he was a batboy and not a pitcher. Mike worked his way through school, earning $1 each time he prepared the infield for practice and games. On the days he pitched, Disch would do Mike’s work for him.
Mike De La Fuente lost the game against the Aggies, whose taunts about his nationality hurt his pitching performance, and Disch finally had to pull him from the game.
Ernie Koy led the team in hitting .324, and De La Fuente led in pitching 7-1.
Van Lamm and Minton White were Co-Captains.
Mike De Ls Fuente
Mike De La Fuente Longhorn Hall of Honor[/caption]
Ernie Koy led the team in hitting .324, and De La Fuente led in pitching 7-1.
Van Lamm and Minton White were Co-Captains.
