Dave Masser
Most Puebloans can tell you that they are very familiar with the name Masser, and all of the great contributions the family has made too many different sports. Dave Masser was a three time all league basketball and baseball player at Pueblo County High School, and was drafted immediately after high school by the Kansas City Royals. A serious injury led to a short professional career and he returned to Pueblo to play two years of basketball at Southern Colorado State College for legendary coach Harry Simmons.
Semi-pro stints with the Pueblo Diablo's and Zupan Industries eventually led to the softball diamond where Masser played on notable teams such as State Inc., C.B. Builders, Tia Marias, and a 10-year tenure with the Pueblo Aztecs from 1980 to 1990. While with the Aztecs, Dave became well known on the state and national levels by playing in six International Softball Congress World Tournaments, one American Softball Association World Tournament, and was a four time M.V.P. in four state title games.
As the Aztecs competed in the Travel League, he was the only player in that league's history to win the Triple Crown and he still holds the I.S.C. World Record Book by hitting two home runs in one game. The Aztec team during that decade won four state titles.
Pete "Fado" Carrillo
Playing on six different softball teams in the many different leagues of Pueblo, Pete Carrillo was a respected leader to his fellow teammates, and was a positive influence in their lives as well as his opponents.
Coming from a long line of well known Pueblo softball greats such as the Trujillo family ("Kosho", "Teto", and "Sluggo"), "Fado" was a "gutsy" player who made his mark behind the plate. Playing with only a glove and a mask, he made base runners think before attempting to steal a base. Pete was known for his strong arm, accuracy, and quickness. If he got hit in the face, he would just wipe off the blood and continue to play.
At the end of his playing days, "Fado" continued to coach the Perfect Image team for two years and then coached youth baseball teams. He also had a stint in umpiring fast pitch softball.
He brings with him his courteous manner, tenacity, work ethic, and leadership qualities into the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame.
Janine "J " Nine Tyler
This versatile athlete began her softball career at the age of five. As an eight year veteran player with the Pueblo Gold, she was the recipient of numerous M.V.P. and all-tournament awards.
From 2001 to 2005, Janine was the leadoff hitter on the vaunted East High School Girls Softball team and her high school career was dotted with records for stolen bases, hitting average, and on-base percentage. She was named to the All South-Central League team, an all state softball and basketball player, and was named the Colorado High School 4A Softball Player of the Year in 2005.
After graduation Tyler went on to play at Otero Junior College in La Junta for two years, leading the Rattlers in stolen bases and triples.
Moving on to Colorado State University-Pueblo, Janine was recognized as an all conference shortstop, team leader in batting average, second in season hits, and was the University's Female Athlete of the Year in 2009.
Tyler gives back to her sport by volunteer coaching at Pueblo East High School. She directs winter clinics and camps and coaches summer league teams. Currently, she is the Assistant Girls Softball Coach at Pueblo West High School and continues to play competitive fast pitch, co-ed ball, and slow-pitch softball.
Robert "Bobby" Armijo
"Bobby" Armijo, was a three-sport All-State high chool player is one of Pueblo's most recognized athletes. In 1983, he was inducted into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame. He was part of Pueblo Centennial's athletic "dynamic-duo" along with fellow inductee Don "Corky" Madrid.
His softball career began at age nine in the Pueblo County Recreation League in Avondale. During high school, Armijo's summers were spent at the old Central Field playing for Dan Rosales and winning two junior and three senior division championships. From 1963 to 1965, he played in the Pueblo Softball Association for the 2102 Steelers and P.C.O.A.
Serving in the U.S. Army for two years, Robert achieved All 8th Army All Tournament team recognition. Upon his return to Pueblo in 1968, he became a mainstay on the Walter's Brewery team over a four year span winning numerous championships, MVP, All-Tourney and All State designation.
Joining the notable Pepsi-Cola team in 1972, Armijo led that team to two state championships and also played in two I.S.C. World Tournaments in Kimberly, Wisconsin and Rock Island, Illinois. His batting average of .476 was tops on the team. Following his start with PepsiCola, he played for Sam's Club, Pixie Inn, and the Brown Derby Lounge.
Off the field he mentored young athletes; worked with the Boys & Girls Club of America; provided scholarships for young leaders in the Pueblo community; served on the Fiesta Day Committee; and helps with the Colorado State Fair Parade.
Don "Corky" Madrid
A well known Pueblo Centennial High School multisport athlete, Don "Corky" Madrid earned his enshrinement into the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame not only for his athletic fetes on the softball diamond, but also for serving the City of Pueblo with volunteer work encompassing various capacities.
As a 30-year veteran of the fast and slow pitch leagues of Pueblo, Don played against some of the most elite players in competition on the local, state, and national levels.
Madrid began his playing days in the Pueblo Junior League on a team that won four state championships. Moving on to the Independent and Pueblo City Softball leagues, he became a valuable player on teams such as Walter's Brewery, Vera's Tavern, and Pepsi-Cola.
The highlight of his career was playing in the World Tournament with Pepsi-Cola in 1978 and playing in five state tournaments with Walter's Brewery.
A recipient of many M.V.P., Gold Glove, and AllTourney team recognition, he faced such renowned pitchers as Alan Colglazier, Vern Mauch, Barna Cardin and the famous Eddie Feigner.
When his playing days ended, "Corky" became involved with directing tournaments, conducting skill development clinics, and coaching elite junior soccer players as well as a volunteer soccer coach at Centennial High School from 1987 to 2000.
Madrid initiated the first aerobic exercise training program for local softball teams including the Pueblo Suns.
Mike Escobado
"Bado" as he was called by his teammates on the 1972 Pueblo Central High School State Championship unforgettable baseball team, was the dynamo personality and second baseman. His personality today still demonstrates that fire and drive that led to his many successes in life.
Mike is most well known for being the co-founder of the memorable Pueblo Aztecs Softball Club along with his father Art Escobado Sr. and brothers Artie and Phillip. This team dominated the decade of the 1980's and this Travel League team went on to win the Colorado Travel League State Tournament for five years and competed in several International Softball Congress World tournaments.
When his playing days concluded, Escobado became very involved with several community boards including the Pueblo Girls Club; Runyon Field Committee; Y.M.C.A.., coaching Pueblo City and Y.M.C.A. T-ball, Little League, and youth basketball programs. Mike was on the Board of the Catholic Diocese of Pueblo from 2001 to 2005.
Kent "Mr. B" Bennett (posthumously)
Holding various positions for the Pueblo Parks and Recreation Department for more than 30 years, Kent Bennett made his mark on the many recreation programs serving the citizens of Pueblo.
Kent helped recruit and train the many seasonal employees of the Parks and Recreation Department. These employees included umpires and scorekeepers for youth softball programs, field directors, umpires for adult softball, officials for adult and youth basketball programs, and gym supervisors. "Mr. B" organized and conducted numerous youth coaching clinics throughout the year. Mike Sexton, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Pueblo said, "Kent touched countless lives during his 30-plus years of devotion to youth sports in Pueblo."
Bennett took immense pride in making sure athletic fields were prepared properly and ready for play. He made sure program facilities were manned with well trained staff. He handled most of the league scheduling responsibilities, listened to complaints by participants and spectators alike, and mediated disputes in a professional manner.
Kent enjoyed the planning of community celebrations, fundraising for sporting events, and was an integral part of planning the annual Juneteenth Softball Tournament. Because of Bennett's influence and dedication ' this tournament has been renamed in his honor.
In addition to practically running the entire adult and youth sports programming for the City, "Mr. B" was also involved with local middle school girls softball as a field director and scorekeeper for Pueblo School District #60; was a fixture at the Colorado Events Center running the clock or keeping score during high school boys and girls basketball games; drove the miniature train ride in City Park; and provided many volunteer hours at the local soup kitchen helping the less fortunate.
Ed "Moose" Montelongo
Ed Montelongo has been a fifty year veteran player in the many leagues of Pueblo. However, his support of the sport and promotion and love of softball has led to his this prestigious recognition.
"Moose" is the recipient of numerous M.V.P., All-Tourney, and Gold Glove recognition. His achievements as an all tourney pitcher and always playing on Sunday in tournaments left him with the nickname "Eddie Sunday".
Many teams tried to recruit him to pitch for them and his loyalties were always to his team and family. He has given his time, talent, and financial assistance to coach and mentor young and upcoming players. Ed's comments were always positive and constructive.
Montelongo has played in over thirty state-wide tournaments, coached several softball teams, directed many tournaments and is remembered as the recipient of the 2005 Joe Santos Memorial Commissioner Award and the director of annual Cinco de Mayo tournaments from 2002 to 2008.