The Arizona Diamondbacks and its Los D-backs Hispanic Council will recognize Raúl E. Aguirre, a media personality and president and CEO of REA Media Group, with its 2025 Pete García Los D-backs Hispanic Leadership Award for advocacy, leadership and service to the community.
Aguirre will be presented with the award and throw out the ceremonial first pitch during the team’s Hispanic Heritage Weekend, presented by Estrella Jalisco, on Sunday, Aug. 24. Aguirre, who has been a trailblazer and leading advocate for Latino representation for over the past four decades, was selected for the award by Los D-backs Hispanic Council, a group of 17 local Hispanic and minority business professionals who work with the Diamondbacks to enhance the relationship between the D-backs and the Hispanic Community.
Since the 1970s, Aguirre has been on the forefront of Latino leadership. He launched Arizona’s first bilingual radio, conducting high-profile interviews with César Chávez, Dolores Huerta and Edward James Olmos, “covering critical topics and becoming a beacon of hope and dialogue for his listeners,” the D-backs said in a statement.
On the international stage, he appeared on Univision, where he wrote, produced and appeared in segments broadcast worldwide.
For many years, Aguirre was the sole Arizonan featured on morning and primetime news, with his reports airing on renowned national programs such as Hola América, Noticiero Univision and later, De Película. Honored for his advocacy and leadership, Aguirre is a recipient of the Ohtli Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Mexican government to individuals who have helped open paths for the Mexican diaspora.
Since the 1970s, issues like immigration, minority representation in national media, and the rising influence of the Latino demographic have been at the heart of Aguirre’s work and advocacy. “His selfless leadership and mentorship have empowered a diverse community in the pursuit of excellence,” the statement continued.
The Pete García Hispanic Leadership Award was created by the D-backs in 2007 to recognize individuals for their advocacy, leadership and service to Arizona. In 2017, the award was named after Pete “Big Dog” García, a Phoenix native and former president and CEO of Chicanos Por La Causa.
Under his leadership, the organization’s operating budget grew to over $60 million, and in 2008 it was named as the second largest Hispanic nonprofit in the United States by Hispanic Business Magazine.
Upon retirement, García founded an organization dedicated to creating educational opportunities for underserved students, raising over $4 million to support college attendance.
Past recipients of the Pete García Award include January Contreras (2024), Anna Maria Chávez (2023)Tony Astorga (2022), David Adame (2021), Rosemary Ybarra-Hernandez (2020), Dr. Cecilia Rosales (2019), Dr. Jose Cardenas (2018), Elisa de la Vara (2017), Terri Cruz (2016), Tommy Espinoza (2015), Ed Pastor (2014), Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick (2013), Paul Luna (2012), Mary Rose Wilcox (2011), Luis Ibarra (2010), Dr. Loui Olivas (2009), Armando Flores (2008) and Pete García (2007).
Info: dbacks.com
