Gilbert "Sluggo" Trujillo
A product of the Trujillo family from the Bessemer area of Pueblo. "Sluggo" Trujillo grew up in the shadows and watching the athletic prowess of his father Dan
Trujillo Sr. and brother Dan "Kosho" Trujillo. Gilbert's nickname came from the home runs that he often hit along with an arm that could throw out runners trying
to score from his left field position. "Sluggo" career began in 1968 with a 12 and under Colorado State Championship team that has carried on for 31 years ending in 1999 with the Colorado Silver Bullets. During that long career, Gilbert played on the 1972 Colorado High School State Champions Central Wildcats baseball team, and then on to play at Trinidad State Jr. College and C.S.U. Pueblo. After spending time in the Pueblo Independent League and CF&I League, he went on to play in seven I.S.C. World Tournaments, with teams such as The Pueblo Aztecs, Pueblo Suns, Pueblo Bandits and the Silver Bullets.
Art Martinez
Art Martinez is the epitome of what an inductee into a hall of fame represents as a player, official, teacher, and life-saver. With a resume that includes 30 years of participation in the Pueblo Softball fast pitch leagues, 50 All-Tournament selections, 17 M.V.P. trophies, and a player in three World Fast Pitch Tourneys with Team Aztec. Martinez now takes his deserved place in the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame.
Included with the above mentioned accolades, Art spent over 30 years as a football referee and baseball umpire as well as 43 years as one of the top wrestling officials in the state of Colorado. Art was inducted into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association in 1989 and into the Mexican-American Hall of Fame in 1990. On top of all of this, Art Martinez is a life-saver by rescuing two drowning boys from the Runyon Lake in the mid 1980's...
Sam "Rabbit" Ferraro (posthumously)
A member of one of Pueblo's prolific fast-pitch softball teams, Sam Ferraro gained notoriety as the catcher for the V.F.W. Post 61 team that won national championships from 1949-1951. He was the most valuable catcher in the VFW National Tournament in 1951, and also named the most valuable player for the entire tournament in 1951.
Ferraro was inducted into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association in 1992 and actually tried out for the major leagues during the height of his career. We assumed that the nickname of "The Rabbit" because Sam was very fast. We were wrong! His mother gave him that nickname as a small boy and he carried the name proudly throughout his entire career.
Jerry "Doc" Dockendorf
At age 14, Jerry "Doc Dockendorf began his softball career at the old Central Field. He went on to play with many teams and in many leagues around Pueblo, including the El Rey League, Independent League, and the Pueblo Softball Association League. He pitched for some very well known teams such as Walter's Brewery, Pepsi-Cola, Muggy's inn, Blue Note Tavern, Campo's Bar, Hi-Fi Club, Valhalla Funeral Home, Pueblo Merchants, and Ducic's Lounge.
Dockendorf is a recipient of many awards, MVP Honors, Most Home runs, and "Strikeout King". Jerry never experienced a losing season as a pitcher. Over a span of 28 years, he coached a young girls team, and had a stint in umpiring the game that he loved.
"Doc" ended his career in the Pueblo Slow-Pitch League playing in the catchers position. Having two back surgeries made him unable to continue playing.
Charles "Charlie" Manning
"Charlie" Manning depicts the attributes needed to be considered for the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame. He fits three of the five categories on our official nomination form; these being a player, coach, and field director.
To quote "Charlie" "Never quit despite the score and always play with the highest intensity." As a player he played for the Perfect Image, High Five, and other notable teams from the Pueblo area. Numerous accolades and recognition were given to Manning as a player.
After leaving the fast-pitch leagues he became the head girls softball coach at Pueblo Central High School spanning over a 20 year period. He led his Wildcats to many district and regional titles and also to Colorado State Elite 8 and Final Four appearances.
After leaving the coaching ranks, Charlie worked at his second home -- Runyon Field until the Fall of 2019. He, along with longtime friend and former general manager, Dave Dudley, were responsible for the many boys and girls programs that play there. He also coaches the elite 16 and under Pueblo Azteca Softball Team that plays locally and also travels to different tournaments held around the United States.
Marion Hernandez
Spanning a career dedicated to Pueblo Softball for over 60 years, Marion Hernandez is probably one of the most recognized names for contributing to the sport and giving of his time to other numerous endeavors including coaching, umpiring, administrating, volunteering, and rules development.
Marion is known mostly for the forty years that he umpired youth, men's fast-pitch, and women's and men's slow-pitch softball. What is not readily known is his numerous affiliations with the American Softball Association (CHSAA), the International Softball Congress, and the Development and Training of ASA Umpires that worked throughout Colorado. Hernandez developed rules for Pueblo's Independent League, he also worked part-time for Pueblo Parks and Recreations Department, and created the sports programs for the Cesar Chavez and Delores Huerta Prepatory Schools serving as their first athletic director. Marion has umpired at many levels and classifications for the C.H.S.A.A. including the state final 5-A softball game, many regionals and finals in Class 2-A baseball.
He along with Lonnie Hearn and Red Gutierez were instrumental in changing the backstops at Joe Santos Field at Bessemer Park. These are the contributions that make Marion Hernandez special, these contributions have earned Marion a spot into the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame. Hernandez passed away on June 23, 2020