Hesiquio “Zeke” Rodriguez†
Inducted 2005
Hometown: Rio Grande City
High School: Rio Grande City High School
Best Known for: Athlete – Baseball
February 2, 1939-June 13, 2016
A swift quarterback in football, leading scorer in basketball, and a power-hitting catcher on the diamond, Rodriguez made all-district 12 times total at Rio Grande City High School in the mid 1950s and stands as one of the area's all-time greats.
He played football for the legendary coach E.C. Lerma, guiding Lerma's first football team in 1955. Rodriguez was the team's placekicker as well as playing on the defensive side of the ball.
Rodriguez chose to concentrate on baseball at the next level, and eventually made NAIA All-America as a catcher out at New Mexico Highlands in 1962. After an outstanding college career, he was a prominent member of the Valley semi-pro champion baseball team called the Ginners in 1963 and soon became baseball coach at Robstown in 1965, leading the Cottonpickers to several playoff appearances, and later did a five-year stint at Harlingen.