Tecate Premios Deportes nominees.

Nominees for the second edition of “Tecate Premios Deportes” (Tecate Sports Awards) were announced. Nearly 60 Hispanic athletes from six sports categories are being considered for their sportsmanship, talent and character exemplified during 2008. The winners will be revealed on June 25, 2009, in front of a live audience inside the historic Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles and broadcast on the Univision Network on July 5, 2009.

This year’s nominees were considered based on the athletes’ statistical excellence, participation in a televised professional sport in the United States during 2008, cumulative impact on their team and in the sport, and their reputation as a role model for the Hispanic community. Winners will be selected by a distinguished panel of current and former professional athletes and sports personalities including, famed boxer Oscar de la Hoya; retired NFL player Tony Casillas; NFL Hall of Fame recipient Anthony Munoz; former Mexican soccer coach and Univision soccer announcer Jesus Bracamontes; and Enrique Borja, legendary Mexican forward and team president of the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL) Tigres.

“The fact that there are more than 50 athletes being considered for these awards is a reflection of the impact Hispanics have on their sport, team and community,” said Oscar de la Hoya, executive committee member. “These individuals are shaping the landscape for future and aspiring athletes and we are thrilled to come together as a committee to celebrate the success of our colleagues and friends.”

Award categories include Boxer of the Year; Soccer Player of the Year; All-Star Soccer Team of the Year; Baseball Player of the Year; Auto Racer of the Year; Basketball Player of the Year; Football Player of the Year; Rising Star of the Year; Athlete of the Year; and Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nominees in each category include:

Boxer of the Year:
1. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
2. Juan Manuel Lopez
3. Cristobal Arreola
4. Juan Manuel Marquez
5. Victor Ortiz

Soccer Player of the Year:
1. Omar Arellano, Chivas Guadalajara
2. Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Chicago Fire
3. Salvador Cabanas, Club America
4. Guillermo Ochoa, Club America
5. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus Crew

All-Star Soccer Team of the Year:

Best Goal Keeper:
1. Hernan Cristante, Toluca
2. Guillermo Ochoa, Club America
3. Oswaldo Sanchez, Santos

Right Defense:
1. Carlos Bonet, Cruz Azul
2. Ivan Estrada, Santos
3. Amaury Ponce, Toluca

Right Center Defense:
1. Gerardo Espinoza, Atlante
2. Rafael Marquez, Barcelona de Espa
3. Paulo Da Silva, Toluca

Defensive Midfielder:
1. Eduardo Coudett, San Luis
2. Martin Romagnoli, Toluca
3. Gerardo Torrado, Cruz Azul

Offensive Midfielder:
1. Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Chicago Fire
2. Andres Guardado, Deportivo La Coruna
3. Daniel Luduena, Santos

Right Forward
1. Juan Pablo Angel, New York Red Bulls
2. Salvador Cabanas, Club America
3. Vicente Matias Vuoso, Santos

Left Forward
1. Christian Benitez, Santos
2. Hector Mancilla, Toluca
3. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus Crew

Rookie of the Year:
1. Nestor Calderon, Toluca
2. Gerardo Venegas, Atlante
3. Nestor Vidrio, Atlas

Best Coach:
1. Jose Guadalupe Cruz, Atlante
2. Jose M. De la Torre, Toluca
3. Daniel Guzman, Santos

Baseball Player of the Year:
1. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
2. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
3. Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Francisco Rodriguez, New York Mets

Auto Racer of the Year:
1. Fernando Alonso
2. Helio Castroneves
3. Steven Goldstein
4. Juan Pablo Montoya
5. Antonio Perez

Basketball Player of the Year:
1. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
2. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
3. Emanuel Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
4. Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors
5. Luis Scola, Houston Rockets

Football Player of the Year:
1. Robert Garza, Chicago Bears
2. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
4. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Luis Castillo, San Diego Chargers

Rising Star of the Year:
1. Omar Arellano, Chivas Guadalajara (soccer)
2. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays (baseball)
3. Juan Manuel Lopez (boxing)
4. Victor Ortiz (boxing)
5. Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox (baseball)
6. Camilo Villegas (golf)

Athlete of the Year:
1. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets (basketball)
2. Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Chicago Fire (soccer)
3. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs (football)
4. Juan Manuel Marquez (boxing)
5. Rafael Nadal (tennis)
6. Guillermo Ochoa, Club America (soccer)
7. Lorena Ochoa (golf)
8. Francisco Rodriguez, New York Mets (baseball)