Tuesday, 05 May 2026

Alex Pompez

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2026
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Baseball Owner & Scout
Statistics & Accolades: Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
Alex Pompez was a pioneering executive and owner who played a key role in internationalizing professional baseball by linking the Negro Leagues with Latin American players. Starting in 1916, he owned and managed the Cuban Stars (East) and later the New York Cubans, turning the latter into a dominant team that secured the 1947 Negro League World Series title. Beyond owning teams, Pompez served as a diplomatic figure in the sport, helping organize the first Negro World Series in 1924 and acting as vice president of the Negro National League in the 1940s. His skill in maneuvering through Harlem's social and legal challenges, where he operated a cigar shop and a thriving numbers lottery, provided crucial financial support to sustain top-tier rosters during segregation.

After joining Major League Baseball, Pompez became a pioneer as a scout and as the first Latino director of international scouting for the New York Giants. He played a key role in creating the "Dominican pipeline," scouting and signing a legendary group of players, including Hall of Famers Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda, Willie McCovey, and Monte Irvin. Pompez served as an essential mentor and cultural link for these athletes, assisting their transition to the U.S. and advocating for their careers within the organization. His nearly 60-year baseball career was officially honored in 2006 with a posthumous induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

We are proud to nominate Alex Pompez for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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