Venezuelan Luis Aparicio won more Gold Gloves than any other American League shortstop in the history of baseball. He won every year from 1958 to 1962 and then again in 1964, 1966, 1968 and 1970. He led the American League shortstops in fielding for eight consecutive seasons and broke a major league record by leading the American League in assists for six straight years.

In addition, Aparicio became the first Hispanic American in professional baseball in the United States to be named "Rookie of the Year." During his rookie season for Baltimore, Aparicio drove in 56 runs, scored 69 runs, and led the leagues in stolen bases. Aparicio was one of the first Hispanic players to really demonstrate what talent existed south of the border and the potential it had for making big league ball exciting.

Further Reading:

Kanellos, Nicolás. Hispanic American Almanac. Detroit, Gale, 1997.

Tardiff, Joseph T., and L. Mpho Mabunda, editors. Dictionary of Hispanic Biography. Detroit, Gale, 1996.