Politicians

Fmr. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, Fmr. President of Germany Christian Wulff, Fmr. Vice-President Nelson Rockefeller, United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Queen Noor, Princess Margaret, Fmr. Puerto Rico Governors Luis A. Ferre and Pedro Rosello, Puerto Rican Secretary of State/Lt. Governor 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, 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, Brigadier General Rafael O'Ferrall-the Deputy Commanding General for the Joint Task Force at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Sonia Sotomayor- the first Hispanic and third female Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Carlota Alfaro- known as "Puerto Rico's grande dame of fashion".

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 (H.O.F.11), 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 (H.O.F.17), Harold Baines (H.O.F.19), 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 (H.O.F.15), Joe Black (Negro Leagues), Vida Blue, Bert Blyleven (H.O.F.11), 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 (H.O.F.10), 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 (H.O.F.14), Juan Gonzalez, Rich Gossage (H.O.F.08), Ken Griffey Jr. (H.O.F.16), Vladimir Guerrero (H.O.F.18), Tony Gwynn(H.O.F.07), Roy Halladay (H.O.F.19), Rickey Henderson (H.O.F. 09), 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 (H.O.F.20), Randy Johnson (H.O.F.15), Chipper Jones (H.O.F.18), 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), Barry Larkin (H.O.F.12), Don Larsen, Tony LaRussa (H.O.F.14), 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 (H.O.F.14), Mickey Mantle (H.O.F.74), Juan Marichal (H.O.F.83), Edgar Martinez (H.O.F.19), Pedro Martinez (H.O.F.15), Eddie Mathews (H.O.F.78), Don Mattingly, Willie Mays (H.O.F.79), Bill Mazeroski (H.O.F.01), Willie McCovey (H.O.F.86), Fred McGriff (H.O.F.23), Mark McGwire, Minnie Minoso (H.O.F.22), 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 (H.O.F.22), Tony Oliva (H.O.F.22), Rafael Palmeiro, Jim Palmer (H.O.F.90), Tony Perez (H.O.F.00), Gaylord Perry (H.O.F. 91), Mike Piazza (H.O.F.16), Kirby Puckett (H.O.F.01), Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, Pee Wee Reese (H.O.F.84), Jim Rice (H.O.F.09), Cal Ripken Jr.(H.O.F.07), Mariano Rivera (H.O.F.19), 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 (H.O.F.17), Pete Rose, Nolan Ryan (H.O.F.99), Ryne Sandberg (H.O.F.05), Ron Santo (H.O.F.12), 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 (H.O.F.19), Ozzie Smith (H.O.F.02), John Smoltz (H.O.F.15), 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 (H.O.F.14), Jim Thome (H.O.F.18), Bobby Thomson, Joe Torre (H.O.F.14), Alan Trammell (H.O.F.18), Bob Uecker (H.O.F.03), Fernando Valenzuela, Larry Walker (H.O.F.20), 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 (H.O.F.20), 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 (H.O.F.20), 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), Grant Hill (H.O.F.18), Dan Issel (H.O.F.93), Phil Jackson (H.O.F.07), Buddy Jeannette (H.O.F.94), Dennis Johnson (H.O.F.10), Magic Johnson (H.O.F.02), K.C. Jones (H.O.F.88), Michael Jordan (H.O.F.09), Jason Kidd (H.O.F. 18), Bobby Knight (H.O.F.90), Christian Laettner, Bob Lanier (H.O.F.91), Meadowlark Lemon (H.O.F.03), Karl Malone (H.O.F.10), Al McGuire (H.O.F.92), Kevin McHale (H.O.F.99), Reggie Miller (H.O.F.12), Mario Morales, Alonzo Mourning (H.O.F.14), Chris Mullin (H.O.F.11), Dikembe Mutombo (H.O.F.15), Steve Nash (H.O.F.18), Shaquille O'Neal (H.O.F.16), Hakeem Olajuwon (H.O.F.08), Jose "Piculin" Ortiz, Gary Payton (H.O.F.13), Paul Pierce (H.O.F.21), Scottie Pippen (H.O.F.10), Frank Ramsey (H.O.F.81), Pat Riley (H.O.F.08), David Robinson (H.O.F.09), Dennis Rodman (H.O.F.11), Dolph Schayes (H.O.F.72), Bill Sharman (H.O.F.75), Jerry Sloan (H.O.F.09), Rudy Tomjanovich (H.O.F.20), Wes Unseld (H.O.F.87), Bill Walton (H.O.F.92), Chris Webber (H.O.F.21),Paul Westphal (H.O.F.19), Lenny Wilkins (H.O.F.88), Dominique Wilkins (H.O.F.06), John Wooden (H.O.F.72)

Basketball (Womens) (WNBA)

Jennifer Azzi (W. B. H.O.F.09), Carol Blazejowski (H.O.F.94), Cynthia Cooper (H.O.F.11), Anne Donovan (H.O.F.95), Lisa Leslie (H.O.F.15), Nancy Lieberman-Cline (H.O.F.97), Rebecca Lobo (W. B. H.O.F.10), Cheryl Miller (H.O.F.95), Dawn Staley (H.O.F.13), Pat Summitt (H.O.F.00), Sheryl Swoopes(H.O.F.16), Tina Thompson (H.O.F. 18), Teresa Weatherspoon (H.O.F.19), Lynette Woodard (H.O.F.04)

Boxing

Muhammed Ali (H.O.F.90), Carmen Basilio (H.O.F.90), Clara Benitez, Wilfred Benitez (H.O.F.96), Al Bernstein (H.O.F. 12), Hector "Macho" Camacho (H.O.F.16), Yori Boy Campas, Juan Carazo, Michael Carbajal (H.O.F.06), Jorge Castro, Julio Cesar Chavez (H.O.F.11), Gerry Cooney, Jose Miguel Cotto, Bobby Czyz, Oscar De La Hoya (H.O.F.14), Tony DeMarco (H.O.F. 19), Roberto Duran (H.O.F.07), Lou Duva (H.O.F.98), Alfredo Escalera, Shelly Finkel (H.O.F.10), George Foreman (H.O.F.03), Bob Foster (H.O.F.90), Joe Frazier (H.O.F.90), Acelino Freitas, Gene Fullmer (H.O.F. 91), Wilfredo Gomez (H.O.F.95), Larry Holmes (H.O.F.08), Marvelous Marvin Hagler (H.O.F. 93), Evander Holyfield, Julian Jackson (H.O.F. 19), Vassiliy Jirov, Roy Jones Jr (H.O.F. 22), Jake LaMotta (H.O.F.90), Ray Leonard (H.O.F.97), Lennox Lewis (H.O.F. 09), Ricardo Lopez (H.O.F.07), Ray Mancini (H.O.F.15), Antonio Margarito, Floyd Mayweather Jr. (H.O.F.21), 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, Richard Steele (H.O.F.14), Emanuel Steward (H.O.F.96), Bert Sugar (H.O.F.05), James Toney (H.O.F. 22), Jose Torres (H.O.F.97), Felix "Tito" Trinidad (H.O.F.14), Kostya Tszyu (H.O.F.11), Mike Tyson (H.O.F.11), Fernando Vargas, Pernell Whitaker (H.O.F.07), Christy Martin (H.O.F.20), 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 (H.O.F.12), Tara Lipinski (H.O.F.06), 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.10), 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), Aeneas Williams (H.O.F. 14), 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 (H.O.F. 74), Arnold Palmer(H.O.F. 74), Juan "Chi-Chi" Rodriguez (H.O.F. 92)

Ice Hockey (NHL)

Tony Amonte, Bobby Clarke (H.O.F.87), Mike Eruzione, Sergei Fedorov (H.O.F.15), Peter Forsberg (H.O.F.14), Grant Fuhr (H.O.F.03), Mike Gartner (H.O.F.01), Wayne Gretzky (H.O.F.99), Dominik Hasek (H.O.F.14), Gordie Howe (H.O.F.72), Bobby Hull (H.O.F.83), Brett Hull, (H.O.F. 09), Jaromir Jagr, Guy Lafleur (H.O.F.88), Mario Lemieux (H.O.F.97), Eric Lindros (H.O.F. 16), 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(H.O.F.12), Teemu Selanne (H.O.F. 17), Mats Sundin (H.O.F.12), Steve Yzerman (H.O.F. 09).

NASCAR

Geoff Bodine, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt (H.O.F.02), Bill Elliott (H.O.F.07), Harry Gant(H.O.F.06), Jeff Gordon (H.O.F.19), Ernie Irvan, Dale Jarrett (H.O.F.14), Terry Labonte(H.O.F.16), Mark Martin, Richard Petty (H.O.F.97), Ricky Rudd, Tony Stewart H.O.F. 20), Rusty Wallace (H.O.F.12), 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 (H.O.F.06), Scott Kalitta, Rick Mears (H.O.F.98), Cruz Pedregon, Tom Sneva (H.O.F.05), Al Unser Jr. (H.O.F.09).

Soccer

Marcelo Balboa (H.O.F.05), Jared Borgetti, Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm (H.O.F.07), Dominic Kinnear, Tony Meola (H.O.F.12), Tab Ramos (H.O.F.05), Hugo Sanchez, Eric Wynalda (H.O.F.04)

Tennis

Andre Agassi (H.O.F.11), Jennifer Capriati (H.O.F.12), Lindsay Davenport (H.O.F.14), Martina Hingis (H.O.F.13), Anna Kournikova, Conchita Martinez (H.O.F.20), Carlos Moya, Mary Pierce (H.O.F.19), Patrick Rafter (H.O.F.06), Pete Sampras (H.O.F.07), Barbara Schett, Monica Seles(H.O.F.09), 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 (H.O.F. 13), Bill Goldberg (H.O.F. 18), Eddie Guerrero (H.O.F.06), Scott Hall (H.O.F.14), Bobby Heenan (H.O.F.04), Curt "Mr. Perfect" Henning (H.O.F.07), Joanie "Chyna" Laurer (H.O.F.19), Vince McMahon (H.O.F.96), Robert "Sgt. Slaughter" Remus (H.O.F.04), Stone Cold Steve Austin (H.O.F. 09), 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, James Chico Hernandez (H.O.F. 12), 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, Bobby Morrow (H.O.F. 89) - Track, Kerri Strug (H.O.F.02) - Gymnastics, Dot Wilkinson (H.O.F.70) - Softball

Movie and T.V. people

Jose Miguel Agrelot, Pamela Anderson, Curtis Armstrong, 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, Rita Moreno, Edward James Olmos, Lynn Redgrave, Della Reese, Burt Reynolds, Debbie Reynolds, Fred Rogers, Judy Sheindlin, Richard Simmons, Elizabeth Taylor, Ellen Travolta (John's sister), John Travolta, Danny Trejo, Gloria Trevi, Dick Van Dyke

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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 * W.B.H.O.F. = Women Basketball Hall of Fame

Notes

• 1. I first 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, Antonio 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 were personal friends of Puerto Rican boxing legend Wilfred Benitez and his mother, the late Clara Benitez. We used to 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 Joe Namath would be in the Hyatt Hotel. When I saw him, I thanked him for winning the Super Bowl lll while I was serving in Vietnam. We spoke about many things and he autographed many of the items which I had 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 for us. 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 their 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 Ortiz, 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 Antonio and I met with boxing Hall of Famer Emanuel Steward in his hotel room to talk about boxing when he came to Phoenix to promote a Lennox Lewis fight.
• 21. Celtics legend Bob Cousy once attended the same high school that I did. When we met and we became fast friends. 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. The late 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 difficult feat considering that the ball had to go through a window in the dome.
• 27. Hotel employees confused my son (Antonio) and me with newspaper reporters and ushered us to the boxing press conference 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 their 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 granddaughter 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 Antonio 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 Rican 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 humbly accepted.
• 40. 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 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 a speech given by Mr. Javier De la Luz, 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 in "El Monumento de la Recordacion".