88S40208 EME-D
By: Herrero H.R. No. 36
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Manuel Flores and Adan Chavez distinguished
themselves through their pioneering work as bilingual radio
broadcasters for South Texas high school baseball games; and
WHEREAS, From 1983 to 2013, the duo broadcasted high school
baseball games in both English and Spanish on KUNO and KSAB, serving
as the voices for a number of high school teams, including Robstown,
Moody, Carroll, Calallen, Falfurrias, Riviera, Freer, Odem,
Sinton, Santa Gertrudis, Bishop, and London; Dr. Flores, a
journalist and college professor, provided the play-by-play
analysis while Mr. Chavez, a high school baseball coach and
longtime educator, was the color commentator; blending bicultural
elements, the two attracted numerous listeners, often outdrawing
English-only stations and broadcasts of Houston Astros games; their
efforts contributed to the growing popularity of high school
baseball in the region, and they helped showcase the sport as the
area became a hotbed of title-contending teams; and
WHEREAS, Operating with limited equipment and resources,
Dr. Flores and Mr. Chavez did whatever was necessary to deliver the
games to their audience; they sometimes stationed themselves in the
stands or next to a team dugout when they were unable to secure a
place in the press box, and in 1989 they began using cell phones in
their work; their ability to interview coaches and players via
phone immediately after the game broke new ground for South Texas
sports coverage; and
WHEREAS, Born in Laredo and raised in Hebbronville,
Dr. Flores has served as a journalism professor at Texas A&M
University-Kingsville since 2006, and he has published six books
and made more than 200 academic presentations; he was inducted into
the Miller High School Buccaneers Athletics Hall of Fame and also
called high school football games for the institution; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez served as a teacher and administrator for
the Corpus Christi Independent School District for many years
before retiring in 2016; an inductee into the Moody Hall of Fame, he
continues to serve as an announcer for high school baseball games;
and
WHEREAS, With their passion, charm, and love of the game,
Dr. Manuel Flores and Adan Chavez delighted baseball fans during
the golden era of South Texas baseball, and their contributions
will be appreciated for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby honor Dr. Manuel Flores and
Adan Chavez for their contributions as baseball broadcasters and
extend to them sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Flores and Mr. Chavez as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.