Inaugural ‘Tecate Premios Deportes’Sports Awards Show on Univision.

The historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium was filled with stars from both the sports and entertainment worlds as the first-ever annual “Tecate Premios Deportes” (Tecate Sports Awards) honoring Hispanic athletes in nine different categories was broadcast last night by Univision, the most-watched Spanish-language television network in America.

Selected for their character, talent and perseverance, as well as their contributions to and impact on the Hispanic community, the “Tecate Premios Deportes” awards featured not only some of the biggest names in sports, but also performances by some of today’s biggest Latin music stars, as well.

Among those honored in the various categories were Oscar de la Hoya (Golden Eagle Award), Miguel Cotto (Boxer of the Year), Lorena Ochoa (Female Athlete of the Year), Carmelo Anthony (Basketball Player of the Year), Helio Castroneves (Auto Racer of the Year), Alex Rodriguez (Baseball Player of the Year), Mexican soccer great Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Athlete of the Year, North American Soccer Player of the Year), and Fernando Valenzuela (Sports Legend), to name a few.

The show itself proved to be as big as the stars it was honoring as the celebrity-filled audience was entertained by musical performances by such Latin music superstars as regional Mexican group Banda El Recodo, red-hot reggaeton crooner Flex, Mexican singer/actress Paty Manterola, Puerto Rican merengue great Elvis Crespo, duranguense singer Diana Reyes, and urban recording artists A.B. Quintanilla and the Kumbia All Starz.

The judging criteria for the awards included the athletes’ statistical excellence, participation in a televised professional sport in the United States during 2007, cumulative impact on their team and in the sport, and their reputation as a role model for the Hispanic community.

Univision.com (keyword: Tecate Premios Deportes) features exclusive post-show coverage of the winners, with video and photo highlights from the green carpet and the most memorable show moments. In addition, fans can vote for their favorites from the green carpet, including the most elegant, the most extravagant and the best couples that graced the walkway. “Tecate Premios Deportes” is engaging online fans after the show with this seamless merger of sports and entertainment.

Following is the complete list of “Tecate Premios Deportes 2008” winners:

Sports Legend (Leyenda de Deportes)
Fernando Valenzuela

Golden Eagle Award (Aguila de Oro)
Oscar de la Hoya

Male Athlete of the Year (Atleta Masculino del Ano)
Cuauhtemoc Blanco

Female Athlete of the Year (Atleta Femenina del Ano)
Lorena Ochoa

North American Soccer (Mexican and American Leagues) Player of the Year

(Jugador de Futbol del Ano)
Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Chicago Fire

All-Star Soccer Team of the Year (Equipo Estelar de Futbol del Ano)

Goalie (Mejor Portero)
Guillermo Ochoa, Club America

Right Fullback (Defensa Lateral Derecho)
Ivan Estrada, Santos

Right Center Defender (Defensa Central Derecho)
Jonny Magallon, Chivas

Left Center Defender (Defensa Central Izquierdo)
Felipe Baloy, Monterrey

Left Fullback (Defensa Lateral Izquierdo)
Oscar Rojas, Club America

Defensive Midfielder (Mediocampista Defensivo)
Gerardo Torrado, Cruz Azul

Mixed Midfielder (Mediocampista Mixto)
Ramon Morales, Chivas

Offensive Midfielder (Mediocampista Ofensivo)
Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Chicago Fire

1st Forward (Delantero 1)
Omar Bravo, Chivas

2nd Forward (Delantero 2)
Salvador Cabanas, Club America

3rd Forward (Delantero 3)
Juan Carlos Cacho, Pachuca

Boxer of the Year (Boxeador del Ano)
Miguel Cotto

American Football Player of the Year (Jugador de Futbol Americano del Ano)
Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs

Basketball Player of the Year (Jugador del Baloncesto del Ano)
Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets

Auto Racer of the Year (Piloto de Automovilismo del Ano)
Helio Castroneves, Indy Car

Baseball Player of the Year (Jugador del Beisbol del Ano)
Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees

All-Star Baseball Team of the Year (Equipo Estelar de Beisbol del Ano)

Pitcher (Lanzador)
Johan Santana, New York Mets

Catcher (Receptor)
Jorge Posada, New York Yankees

1st Base (Primera Base)
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

2nd Base (Segunda Base)
Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

3rd Base (Tercera Base)
Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees

Shortstop (Campo Corto)
Jose Reyes, New York Mets

Outfielder (Jardinero)
Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox

Designated Hitter (Bateador Designado)
David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

Reliever (Relevista)
Rafael Betancourt, Cleveland Indians

Closer (Cerrador)
Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels

Manager (Manager)
Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox