The Tall Mexican: The Life of Hank Aguirre All-Star Pitcher, Businessman, Humanitarian

$10.95

This inspiring biography of the legendary baseball player includes photos, a chronology of Aguirre’s career, an appendix of his stats, a glossary of baseball terms and an index.

by Bob Copley

ISBN: 978-1-55885-294-5
Publication Date: February 29, 2000
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 176
Imprint: Piñata Books
Ages:
11 and up

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At last in paperback, here is the biography acclaimed as “pure inspiration” and “moving” (Kevin Baxter, The Los Angeles Times) of a man who proved himself both on the baseball diamond and in life. Growing up, Hank Aguirre rose every morning long before school to make and deliver tortillas as part of a family-run business. In his free time, the teen-aged Hank played (and practiced endlessly at) Legion baseball and neighborhood pick-up games. After graduation, he signed on with the Cleveland Indians. He enjoyed a successful big-league career with the Indians, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs. But then, instead of basking in his popularity, he went on to found Mexican Industries in the burned-out heart of ravaged urban Detroit. Today the company is a thriving, family-owned business, employing over a thousand people and bringing hope and security where there was once poverty and despair.

Drawing on first-hand experience, interviews, and research, Bob Copley shows us in The Tall Mexican a tough but caring man of talent, faith, and determination—a man who pushed beyond prejudice and mere celebrity to become a true hero.

Included in the 1999-2000 Houston Area Independent School Library Network Recommended Reading List
Named to The New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age

“Description of the subject’s childhood are rich in detail and the baseball highlights…give a vivid sense of the game during the 1960s.”—Booklist

BOB COPLEY was a long-time friend of Hank Aguirre. He was Hank’s publicist for the Detroit Tigers and later worked with him as the director of communications for Mexican Industries. He and his wife Ruth have four grown children and eight grandchildren. This biography is authorized by Aguirre’s family.

ATOS Interest Level: Upper Grades
Category: Young Adult
ATOS English: 8.2
Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 31172