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

By Robert E. Copley

Book Overview

Baseball star Hank Aguirre (1931-1994) pitched for the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs in a vibrant major-league career that ran from 1955 to 1971. He would... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1558852255
• ISBN13: 9781558852259
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Arte Publico Pr
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 5.8"
• Age Range: 11 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 6 and higher

Customer Reviews

A Loving Review of the Life of High Henry

One of my memories of Hank Aguirre is his pitching in relief of the first major league game I saw in Detroit in 1958. After completing a game in Yankee Stadium in which Al Kaline broke his collar bone to make a diving catch to win the game the headline read "Tigers Find A Starter But Lose A Star", the Tigers found they had a legitimate starting pitcher for their staff. Hank's inability as a hitter are legendary, but the author spends a great deal of time on Hank's humanitarian efforts on behalf of Hispanic minorities in the Detroit area. His business efforts were ultimately successful, but the time spent away from his family took its toll. People are remembered for what they give, and Hank gave of himself to others. This is a very easy to read book, and one that would be beneficial to high school libraries even though the name of Hank Aguirre is an unknown to them.

rings with truth, no hyperbole. a fascinating life! a must!

i was fascinated by the title itself. the tall mexican should be a must read for all minorities who struggle under the lash of predjudice. i thought i was going to read a story about baseball, but discovered TTM is a story of hope and of love for our fellowman that goes beyond the ordinary into the realm of the spiritual. Hank Aguirre was, pure and simple, a giant of a man whose work for other Hispanics made him an apostle for the underpriviledged -

An inspirational story of sharing the American Dream.

Bob Copley paints a vivid and moving picture of a man who showed us all how to be better human beings. Hank Aguirre was no more perfect than the rest of us, and that made him the perfect role model for real people. He had talent and determination and compassion and he parlayed those qualities for the benefit of those less fortunate than himself. Aguirre showed us all how to be better managers and better citizens and better friends. Copley's biography brings us into the world of Hank Aguirre and allows us to experience life as a friend, neighbor, and colleague of Aguirre. And as such, in the end, we grieve Hank's untimely passing with the same sadness. Hank's legacy lives on, through his family and through all of us who are willing to share our blessings and opportunities with others. The Tall Mexican lets Hank Aguirre continue to provide a powerful role model for generations to come. Share it with your children.

inspirational. heart-wrenching and selfless- that's Aguirre

the tall mexican is heart-lifting biography of a big-league, all-star pitcher who brke the mold of professional athletes by startin a business in crime-ridden section of Detroit and providing jobs for the jobless and hope for the hopeless and turned thousands of lives around in so doing. A deeply spiritual man, hank aguirre befriended many and exploited no one

a biography of a big-league turned humanitarian

hank aguirre, an all-star big-league pitcher and a Hispanic wanted to give back to his people, started a business in the Hispanic barrio of Detroit. He opened his business with 8 employees all of whom are Hispanic used his home to borrow money to finance the business in 1979. Today the company known as Mexican Industries has 1500 employees. 87% of whom are Hispanic.Sales this year will reach $165 million. The payroll in the plants in Detroit alone will reach $35 million. Hank died of prostate cancer in 1994; but his legacy lives on. All is described in his biography.The Tall Mexican will be inspirational to all Hispanics who feel their success will be buried in racial injustice. Reviews have been extremely favorable.