Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
Celebrating Latinos in Sports Since 2012
Carmelo Anthony, Alex Rodriguez, Dara Torres: All elite athletes, all Latinos — which isn't to say that they aren't true-blue Americans. It's hard to think of a more quintessential expression of pride than when Oscar de la Hoya draped himself in the US flag after winning a gold medal in 1992. Of course, he also donned a Mexican flag. Because, you know, it's complicated.
V as in Victor celebrates that fluid sense of identity and recounts Latino success from the triple jump to the Triple Crown, from world records to the World Series.
Bill Vourvoulias has worked at ESPN Publishing, Newsweek, and The New Yorker. He comes by his Latino through his mom, a Guatemalan Mexican, and his sports crazy from his father. His surname, too: If Bill had a nickel for every time he heard his father say “V as in Victor…” he'd still have a hard time spelling it himself.
V as in Victor features drawings by Arlin Ortiz, who grew up in Arnold Palmer’s hometown of Latrobe, Pa., attended the Pratt Institute, and is a freelance illustrator in Brooklyn.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Street Illegal
- Joel Rosario
Rosario is the latest in a string of recent quisqueyano sports successes. “Plátano power,” he explains.
- Tales of Yankee Power
Random notes from the world of Latino Yankees. Cano hits a milestone, Rivera vs. Chamberlain, and the ups and downs of Vidal Nuno.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. Ortiz vs. O’Shaunessy, Messi’s hamstring, and DLHQ gets even more questionable.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Look Homeward, Angels
- Carlos Gómez
You remember that guy who used to be most famous because he could beat José Reyes in a foot race? Well, he’s tearing up the league with Milwaukee.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. Ruben Guerrero packs a bigger wallop than his son; the Rockets’ surprising Francisco Garcia; and Honey Nut Cheerios redux.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Numerology
- Rudy Rodriguez
His life is either the quintessential American immigrant success story or a nightmare scenario of a cheater who has prospered.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. The Jason Collins saga; the Germans take Spain; plus, the most hated man in the Mets locker room.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- The Apogeezer
There’s a lot of aging that can happen between now and the NBA Finals.
- Manu Ginóbili
It may not seem like it at first blush, but the Argentinian guard’s game is all about control.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. The Cannibal of Ajax strikes again, plus the Biogenesis octopus latches onto another member of La Raza.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Where Have You Gone, Jackie Robinson?
- Guillermo Rigondeaux
It took 400 amateur fights, two Olympic golds, two defections, and one court battle for this Cuban boxer finally to win a professional championship.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. How New York is always trying to horn in on Boston—even in tragedy. Plus, La Super-Pulga to Barcelona's rescue!
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Masters Course
A tradition unlike any other? That may not be such a good thing.
- Lizette Salas
The next great Mexican-American golfer isn’t certain how Nancy Lopez got her telephone number.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- One Day in the Life
It’s finally here: Spring, baseball, life. The anatomy of a sport in 24 hours.
- Wilin Rosario
As a teenager, this Dominican import strengthened his wrists by taking a hundred swings at a truck tire every day.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. Melo and the annals of understatement; the flea and the return leg; Robbie joins the circus.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- April Madness
Big orange ball + uniforms + Y-chromosome = Capacity crowds and TV broadcasts. Big orange ball + same uniforms + two X-chromosomes = Crickets.
- Yashira “Cheetah” Delgado
This lightning-fast, 5’ 2” dynamo from Kissimmee once registered a quadruple-double.
- Chip Shot
Team USA’s Rocky Mountain high: Is America the biggest cock of the Concacaf walk, or just a puss in snow boots?
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Madness on the March
- Greivis Vásquez
A summer with the Venezuelan national team has helped turn this third-year point guard into one of the NBA’s best.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. Don't pray for me, Argentina; the misadventures of Roy Miller; and Fred Wilpon’s recurring nightmare.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Streaking
Oh, what sweet justice it would be to have LeBron next taste defeat at Cleveland on March 20.
- Mike Aviles
His last collegiate season and his first season as a pro, he was named Player of the Year. That didn’t prevent KC from putting Aviles on a fast track to career minor leaguer.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. The WBC goes nuclear over run differential; Messi explodes all over Inter; Renaldo Balkman melts down in the Philippines.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Cardinal Sins
When you get right down to it, FIFA and the Vatican aren’t so different.
- Gavin Escobar
Tight end has become the position on the gridiron likeliest to be filled by guys with Spanish surnames.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. Elvis Andrus’ beautiful injury, Man U needs to man up, and more.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Classic
- Floored
We were like the Knicks in the middle of their slump. It would have been easier if we could have kept Tyson Chandler out on the floor of our apartment to help out Sunday evening.
- José Dariel Abreu Correa
At the 2009 WBC, Cuban stars Yoenis Céspedes and Aroldis Chapman stole the show. Who is Most Likely to Cause a Pavlovian Response in Agents and GMs this time?
- Chip Shot
The most Latin-flavored NBA game of the season.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Rapture
- Angel Rodriguez
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. Marco Rubio stumbles out of the gate in the 2016 Presidential Derby; Messi, yet again; and what is Ryan Lochte thinking?
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Breaking the Hex
- Jerry Bengtson
if you’ve heard of any Honduran footballers, they are probably goal-scorers—guys, like Bengtson, with talent and killer instinct and a nose for opportunity.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. Kali nichta, Greco-Roman wrestling! I go hunting for conspiracy at the Miami New Times; Mike Piazza does the same with Latinos.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Foresight
- Frank Martin
When March Madness rolls around, if K-State goes deep into the Tournament, the school should send a thank-you note to South Carolina’s new coach.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. Juan Manuel Márquez says “No más” to Manny Pacquiao; the fix is in for soccer; pitchers and catchers report.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Let It Roll
At last! Football makes way for America’s true Sunday tradition: PBA bowling. But is it a sport?
- Tony Reyes
A requiem for a man with a heavyweight ball.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. The Dirty Half-Dozen; going low in the low countries.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Race Matters
Please keep in mind, no actual bigots were harmed in the writing of this article.
- Gregory Echenique
If Creighton hopes to have a deep run in the NCAA Tournament—and don’t be surprised if they do—they had better keep their Venezuelan Thunder healthy.
- The All-Black Lineup
The Pirates of the era may have been the only team in history who could have fielded nine black players competitively, without it being obvious gimmick.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. Feliciano, Pedro Feliciano; Landon Donovan pulls a Favre; an open letter to Manti Te’o.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Roid Rage
Here’s hoping that Mean Oprah showed up for her interview with Lance Armstrong.
- Out of This World
In the late 1970s Nancy Lopez was the savior of the LPGA tour. Years before that, she was a state and national amateur champ, and a poster child for the potential benefits of Title IX.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. Adieu, Scott Gomez; Messi pours it on; the Knicks are the true Big Apple circus.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Nasty, Brutish, and Short
- Rafael Nadal
“At what point does his family’s involvement in his athletic career stop being motivational and become detrimental?”
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. Ice hockey is back—contain yourselves, please; Kobe flips his wig; brawl at the Hispanic Games.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- The First Picture Show
It’s hard for me to imagine what V might be like without Arlin Ortiz’s wonderful illustrations.
- What Humans Are Capable Of
No other sporting event on the planet compares to the Olympics in terms of inducing wonderment.
- Carmelo Anthony
The Knicks’ star forward was tempted to play for Puerto Rico in 2004. Since then he has become Team USA’s most committed member.
- Our Man in Philadelphia
On the gridiron, Steve Van Buren broke barriers as a running back; off the field, he chose not to.
- Sports Talk With Sierra Jiminez
“Getting the physical black belt never really mattered to me—I just liked the feeling of being a strong, independent female.”
- Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright
It has been a generation since the Detroit Tigers won the World Series. Could sportswriter Joe Falls have been right?
- Brenda Villa
Water polo is usually dominated by tall trees with long limbs, but its Wayne Gretzky is a Mexican chaparrita with eyes in the back of her head.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. What sports celebration held every few years did Brazil qualify for now? Plus, Loria’s lunacy and Silver’s folly.
- Marathon Man
“Self-indulgent is a day at the spa. Running a marathon is something else altogether. Masochism, maybe.”
- Where the Air Is Thin
Mexico City, 1968: The only time a Latin American nation hosted the Olympics, records fell like dried leaves. So did the bodies.
- Olympic Talk with Francisco Goldman
“Too bad they don't have a competition in beheading, Guatemala would be a contender in that.”
- Martial Plan
If you believe the events of the Olympic Games are meant to promote peace, think again.
- Dan Le Batard
Dan Le Batard Is ¿Highly Questionable?, is the best gift I could ever imagine a son giving his sports-mad father.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Fair Play(s)
For Latinos in sports, it was the best of years, it was the worst of years. Yuck.
- Luis Suárez
He’s been called the Cannibal of Ajax and la Mano del Diablo. So why is it that every club Suárez has played for has been sorry to see him go?
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- The Breaking of the Fellowship
- Tony Gonzalez
“I was big, but I was just a puddin’—everybody pushed me around.”
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. I come to bury Mark Sanchez, not praise him; it’s hard to swim fast while carrying a 195-lb. albatross named Phelps around one’s neck; did the Mets dick Dickey?
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Hockey on Ice
- Juan Manuel Márquez
Very rarely do you see a boxer get hit and drop the way Manny Pacquiao did—in the direction that the punch came from.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. The most stunning number associated with Leo Messi isn’t 86, it’s 25; plus, Knicks v. Nets redux; Brook Lopez; and the continuing perils of Mark Sanchez
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- With God on Their Side
Never realized that “close” counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and SEC football.
- Dan Le Batard
- The All-Time Baseball Team: Edición Dominicana
It’s unlikely that beisbol would have caught on so deeply in the DR without Rafael Trujillo, a ruthless and strong-armed righty with a penchant for high, hard stuff and blood on his hands.
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. The perils of Mark Sanchez, and let's not forgets the Nets and Mets, Derek Eater, David Wright, and Hope Solo.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Escape From New Jersey
- Brook Lopez
Why would any team, especially the Nets, turn up its nose at 19 to 20 points a game with 7 to 8 boards?
- The All-Time Baseball Team: Edición Cubana
Why are Cuban pitchers such big losers?
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports: The macho death of Hector Camacho. Plus, Leo Messi, Fuleco, and Mark Sanchez.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Slim Chance
- Chip Shots
Random notes from the world of Latino sports. What sports celebration held every few years did Brazil qualify for now? Plus, Loria’s lunacy and Silver’s folly.
- The All-Time Baseball Team: Edición Centroamericana
Seventeen Panamanians, three Colombians, one Zonian, four Nicaraguans—and not half bad.
- Sports Talk With Alberto Roman
“The first taste of sports I got was playing stickball in the streets. Since I began playing, I just gained such a love and passion for baseball, which I’ve never lost.”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Water, Water, Everywhere
- Orlando Cruz
The only active professional boxer in the history of the sport to declare himself a homosexual es bien macho.
- The All-Time Baseball Team: Edición Boricua
The starting rotation is like something you’d see on an early ’70s Indians cellar-dweller, but at least the pen is solid. Weirdly, it reminds me of Michael Moore.
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Marathon Man
- Victor Cruz
How far has Victor Cruz come? Thirteen miles and worlds away.
- The All-Time Baseball Team: Edición EEUU
Sergio Romo’s numbers sparkle, but his résumé isn’t yet ready for enshrinement.
- Sports Talk With Grace Castañeda
“During the 2010 World Cup knockout round match between Mexico and Argentina, my entire family was standing and shouting at the TV and pulling its hair.”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Pardon the Interruption
- Have You Never Been Melo?
The fact that the surname of the first Mexican player in MLB is one letter removed from the Spanish word for pillow is appropriate.
- The All-Time Baseball Team: Edición Mejicana
“Strange that there's a dearth of quality outfielders, since Anglos seem to value Mexican jardineros so much in non-baseball situations.”
- Sports Talk With Juan Monroy
“I remember being in PE class when I was in first or second grade and being thrilled that it was our week playing baseball. It always went by so fast.”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright
It has been a generation since the Detroit Tigers won the World Series. Could sportswriter Joe Falls have been right?
- Miguel Cabrera
- The All-Time Baseball Team: Edición Venezolana
Luis Aparicio, David Concepción, Omar Vizquel: Who would you start, who would you keep on the bench, and who would you send home?
- Sports Talk With Victoria Roberts
“In Mexico we did futból femeníl. I was kicked in the shin once and that did me in.”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- The Clothes Make the Man
- Mark Sanchez
NYC sportswriters have been unceremoniously baying for his head ever since a certain Christian gentleman came to town.
- Our Man in Philadelphia
On the gridiron, Steve Van Buren broke barriers as a running back; off the field, he chose not to.
- Why I Hate ... The N-FU-L
A certain football league can bite me.
- Sports Talk With Sierra Jiminez
“Getting the physical black belt never really mattered to me—I just liked the feeling of being a strong, independent female.”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Blame It on London
- The Golden Boy
Barcelona, 1992: As a boxer, Oscar De La Hoya lost only a few times, but his Olympic saga just couldn’t be beat.
- Olympic Talk with Carmelita Tropicana
“The Beijing Olympics set the bar for Olympic ceremonies and the theatricality of it.”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- To the Pain
- Tony Azevedo
At his first Olympic games, the man known as the Savior set himself a goal to get to four more. He may have been too conservative.
- Jesse Ruiz Flores
This Cali kid has excelled in wrestling at every level he’s competed at. Even so, he’s had to scrape and claw for every opportunity.
- Olympic Talk with José Esteban Muñoz
“I have no interest in volleyball but I nonetheless watched because it was the Olympics.”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Family Ties
Every time I see a volleyball libero I think they are allowing an opposing player to cross the net and act as a saboteur. How cool would that be?
- Steven and Diana López
With this brother and sister act, representing the US in taekwondo is a family affair.
- Why I Hate … Beach Volleyball
- Argentine Double Gold
Athens, 2004: It was the first time “Oíd, mortales,” had been heard at a podium ceremony since 1952. And it happened twice in one day.
- Olympic Talk with Gabriela Barrantes
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- The Games People Play
Not allowing NBAers to play would probably lower the overall competitiveness of Olympic basketball.
- Danell Leyva González
- Staying Power
Beijing, 2008: The little girl who had to be the first one to the car and the dinner table grew up to become the last woman to leave the pool.
- Olympic Talk with Manuel Gameros
“My father was one of the people who measured and remeasured Bob Beamon’s long jump.”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- The Space Race
What’s more terrifying: Space aliens, earthquakes, thuggish Canadians, or … the pommel horse?
- Leo Manzano
This middle-distance runner may look like a Ford Pinto, but he runs like a Ferrari.
- Manuel Huerta
This Cuban-American triathlete went from finishing 80th to first place in six months.
- Olympic Talk with Gustavo Arellano
“Olympics in Spanish only for Andrés Cantor; otherwise, Bob Costas all the way!”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Girl Power
- Marlen Esparza
Safe to say that not many Olympic boxers have been photographed wearing a long red dress for Vogue.
- Brenda Villa
Water polo is usually dominated by tall trees with long limbs, but its Wayne Gretzky is a Mexican chaparrita with eyes in the back of her head.
- Why I Love … Water Polo
A sport like an iceberg, with only a fraction of the action visible above the water line.
- A Tale of Two Fernandezes
Barcelona, 1992: The greatest women’s doubles team in Olympic history (until the Williams sisters came along) had a Caribbean flavor.
- Olympic Talk with Morgan Saunders
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Head Case
Afro wig or monster in the pool? Will the real Ryan Lochte please dive in?
- Javier Culson Pérez
This hurdler could be la isla de encanto’s first gold medalist. No wonder he can stop traffic.
- Pioneer in the Pool
Athens, 2004: Maritza Correia had three flags in her Athens, Ga., dorm room. In Greece, she helped Team USA win silver.
- Why I Hate … Synchronized Diving
An event without history, memorable personalities, or character? Oh, boy!
- Olympic Talk with Valeria Bloom
“I remember being fascinated by weightlifting as a kid—all those fat Russian dudes.”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Martial Plan
If you believe the events of the Olympic Games are meant to promote peace, think again.
- José Ramírez
Don’t bet against Ramírez winning the gold; and, if he does, don’t be surprised if his story makes it soon to a multiplex near you.
- Joseph Díaz Jr.
The youngest boxer on Team USA was also the first one to qualify.
- Too Short
Atlanta, 1996: A part-Cuban, part-Nuyorican pitcher with lightning in her arm and a killer instinct unrivaled this side of Michael Jordan.
- Olympic Talk with Miguel Angel Centeno
“I always root for folks like, say, Uzbek javelin throwers and Costa Rican archers.”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Why the Olympics Still Matter
Don’t you miss all that Cold War stuff about competing ideologies and biased judging?
- Carmelo Anthony
- Olympic Talk with Francisco Goldman
“Too bad they don't have a competition in beheading, Guatemala would be a contender in that.”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- Five Reasons Why Gringos Will Never Get Football
Want football, soccer—whatever you want to call it—to matter deeply to every American? Fuhgeddaboudit.
- Neymar
- The Golden Generation
Paris, 1924: Football comes from Europe, but a band of scruffy, ball-controlling Uruguayans showed the Old World a new game.
- Olympic Talk with Silvana Paternostro
“I would like to see a spelling bee contest added to the events.”
Illustration by Arlin Ortiz
- What Humans Are Capable Of
No other sporting event on the planet compares to the Olympics in terms of inducing wonderment.
- Where the Air Is Thin
Mexico City, 1968: The only time a Latin American nation hosted the Olympics, records fell like dried leaves. So did the bodies.
- Amy Rodriguez
There’s only one A-Rod who owns a gold medal, and she doesn’t play baseball.
- Olympic Talk with Eric Lach
- A Dedication
The great Cuban heavyweight Teófilo “Pirolo” Stevenson chose love of country over money.