October Bandit Birthdays: “Happy Birthday” Bandit Eddie Blair Turns 30 Saturday October 23

Eddie Blair turns 30 on October 23. “Big Man” graduated from Riverside High School where he played two sports (football and baseball). Blair was a member of our “worst to first” league champions as a 13 year old. Happy Birthday Eddie!

Aiden Janczak turns 12 on October 27. Aiden played with the “Lil” Bandits in their 2015 Spring T-Ball and Fall Coach Pitch seasons. “Happy Birthday” Aiden!

Willie “Niner” Rueda turns 35 on October 30. Rueda graduated from Texas Tech University. Willie made the “Big 12 All Conference Freshman Team” playing second base and be shortstop. Willie’s sophomore year was marred by his tearing his ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm. He bounced back and led the Red Raiders in batting average and stolen bases in the “Big 12” Conference his Junior year. He earned “All Big 12” honors his Freshman, Junior and Senior years. The number 9 is one of 5 “controlled” Bandit numbers (4, 7, 9, 10, 24) and are earned not asked for. Willie Rueda was the second Bandit to earn the right to wear the number 9 after the “Original 9’er” Aaron Forrister. Willie led the Bandits to the 1998 and 2000 National Championship Games. He pitched and played both middle infield positions for his Bandit teams. He started playing for the Bandits from age 9 to age 14. He went on to earn All District and All City Honors at Bel Air High School. He claims to be the “Real Niner”. Forrister was the “Original Niner” and has a college “All American” on his resume and he claims to be both the “Original Niner” and the “Real Niner”. Its about competition and we are proud of how our Bandits compete. Let the debate continue, they both wore their number proudly. Their actions on and off the field make the numbers honored and distinguished.  Happy Birthday Willie, today you are the “Birthday Big 12 Niner”.

October 3: C J Avalos turned 30 and served our Country with the military. His reasoning “he wants to do something physically challenging.” In high school, he was a member of the Honor Society at Americas High School where he was admitted with a 96 GPA. In football he played offense, defense and special teams. He was our “Renaissance Man”. He gained awards for his band and jazz band endeavors and also won Science Fair competitions. C J scored his first varsity touchdown against Coronado in October 2008. Avalos is the hardest working athlete and student in every setting. Avalos played second base, pitched and played in the outfield for our Bandit championship teams. C J wore # 9 which is one of our Bandit “held” and “honored” numbers. He upheld the tradition of the “Niners” before him and continuedto bring pride to the number 9. He makes his Parents, his sister, his Grandparents, his Aunts and Uncles and the entire Bandit Family Proud. Happy Birthday CJ, today you are the “Birthday Niner”.

October 4: Brian Hebblethwaite turned 30. He always competes to the highest level and has a tremendous work ethic. Brian was a varsity starter as a Freshman and Sophomore at El Dorado High School. Coach John Beard (who played for Coach Larry Hernandez as a 13 and 14 year old) called Brian the best prepared and focused Freshman he has ever coached. He commended “the Freshman” (Coach Beard doesn’t call players by their name until they are Seniors) as a player with a lot of baseball savvy and great work ethic. Hebblethwaite later joined a number of Bandits and played for Americas High School as a Senior where he was part of the schools first baseball District Championship squad. Brian was a Bandit team leader who led by example and made his teammates comfortable in dealing with championship expectations and a championship atmosphere. His fun loving and outgoing personality bring Pop Brian Sr. (Mr. National Championship Home Run Derby Pitcher), Mom Pat and Sister Brittany joy and happiness. He makes all of us proud to know him. Happy Birthday Brian!

Coach Charlie Bombach turned 50 on October 7. He has been coaching and involved with youth baseball for the past 14 years since his Son Josh turned 7. His first year coaching the Bandits was with our 13U Championship Bandit edition and he is credited with improving the strength, conditioning and agility of our Bandits. His Bandit coaching career continued as he formed and led  our first “Lil” Bandit team. Our “Lil” Bandits grew into a Championship team under his  direction and guidance. “Happy Birthday” Coach Charlie!

October 7: Chris Rubio turned 30. Rubio earned All District honors his junior year and senior years as an outfielder. Chris was named District 1-5A Defensive Player of the Year. He played on the Americas Trailblazer varsity squad all four years. Rubio continued his baseball journey playing at Sul Ross State University. Chris was his Bandit team’s “Mr. Versatile”. Rubio played 7 positions with the only two he didn’t play being catcher and first base. He also helped his team seeing action as a situational pinch hitter and situational pinch runner. Chris was an outstanding performer in the classroom as well as at the “yard”. Rubio has a tremendous work ethic and a solid commitment to making his team the best. He is a special player who helped make us a special team. Chris has a outgoing manner and was well liked and respected by his teammates and opponents. Often times Chris served as another coach on the field helping his teammates learn and most times remember their defensive assignments. He has a solid understanding of the game and plays the game the “right way”. His Grandparents, Mom, Dad, Sister and the rest of his Family share with us the Blessing of his company. Happy Birthday Chris!

October 8 Julio Velez turned 31. Julio earned a scholarship from the El Paso Community College Tejanos squad following his high school honors. Velez started for the Riverside High School Rangers varsity baseball team in his freshman year. Julio was named All District all four years and in his Sophomore, Junior and Senior years he gained All City honors as well. Velez was a pitcher and first baseman on our 2002 National Finalist squad. He was at the top of the Bandit rotation on the bump and hit in the first part of the order. Happy Birthday Julio!

October 10: Marc Vargas turned 30. Marc’s time with the Bandits was marked by Championships. He played on our undefeated 2005 Fall and 2006 Spring Championship teams. Marc enhanced our squad with his versatility as a Pitcher, Infielder and Outfielder and his athleticism. He also served as a situational pinch hitter and situational pinch runner. Marc was an outstanding teammate who earned the respect of his fellow Bandits by playing with a high level of energy. He had an outstanding work ethic and strong sense of commitment to our efforts on and off the field. Happy Birthday Marc!

October 15: R J Franco would have turned 27. R J played with the Bandits beginning at age 9. He is a member of our 9 and under State Championship squad. R J caught, pitched, played first base, short stop, third base and all three outfield positions. R J is a quality “young man” and a strong team leader. R J was the quarterback on his Ensor Middle School seventh and eighth grade football teams and led them to a District and Conference titles. He was called up to the Montwood Ram varsity baseball team his freshman year for the playoffs. He played football as a starting cornerback for the Rams varsity and played for the Montwood baseball team as well. Following his high school years, he played college football. Unfortunately RJ now celebrates in a baseball field in our Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom. Happy Birthday R J!

Catalina “Grandma Bandit” Hernandez celebrated her twelfth Heavenly birthday on October 19. On November 23, 2009 she joined her life partner “Grandpa Bandit” after 55 years of marriage nearly seven months to the day after he passed to our Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom on April 25, 2009. She also joins her baby daughter Corina who has been circling with the Angels for 7 years. Like a few of our greatest fans, she supports the Bandits from her SKY BOX Suite with “Grandpa Bandit” in HEAVEN. Happy Birthday MOM!