Kim Giordano
Kim Giordano was not only a fierce competitor on the softball field, but was more importantly well known for his overall sportsmanship and humility on the softball diamond. His drive for excellence carried over from the softball field to his personal life and his place of work.
Some notable teams Kim played on were Blue Lady, Stiffino's, and Pueblo Installers. His teams won several City league championships, played in six ISC State Championships, six ISC World Tournaments, and were a member of the 1979 Rocky Mountain Travel League Championship team.
Giordano's ISC World Tournament 1978 team, Stiffino's, to this day holds the record of 38 assists in 19 innings in one game against Saginaw, Michigan.
His individual achievements include numerous All-Tournament team selections, M.V.P. awards, ISC State Tournament All-Tournament team honors, and All-League Player Awards for three years in the Rocky Mountain Travel League.
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Ricky Jimenez
Ricky Jimemez was an all-around standout athlete at Pueblo Centennial High School and was selected to All-State and Prep All-American teams in football and baseball.
He is one of the few Pueblo high school athletes to ever compete and letter in four sports: football, wrestling, basketball, and track during a fiscal year.
In 1975, Jimenez was selected as Pueblo Centennial High School's Mr. "C". Ricky was given the opportunity to try-out for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates organizations right out of high school.
He grew up around the softball fields of Pueblo where his father, Zeke was the Director for the Hyde Park Junior Softball Program. Jimenez began playing softball at the age of 8 and began his junior years in the El Rey League.
As an outstanding shortstop, Ricky continued his career with the Pueblo Aztec Softball Club playing in seven World Tournaments. He achieved numerous awards during his softball career with All-Tourney, M.V.P., and Gold Glove awards.
Ray Razo
Ray Razo came up through the junior baseball leagues of Pueblo and was a standout player in his high school career at Pueblo East High School.
After leaving the world of baseball, Ray entered the fast pitch softball leagues of Pueblo and became one of the top catchers in the state of Colorado.
Razo was a winner. He liked to have fun and he had a mutual respect for his teammates as well as opposing players. Ray had been a teammate of many of the players that have been inducted into the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame.
Through his years, Razo has garnered numerous City League championships. He is a veteran of six ISC State Championship teams, six ISC World Tournament teams, and was a member of the 1979 Rocky Mountain Travel League Championship team.
Ray, along with teammate Kim Giordano, attained numerous All-Tournament team selections and M.V.P. awards.
Jim Ranson
Jim Ranson was a legendary player and coach who made his mark in the Pueblo area. Jim spent his boyhood years in Canon City, Colorado and spent countless days playing football, basketball, and baseball.
Upon his graduation from high school, Jim went directly into the United States Marine Corp where he excelled on their basketball, track, and baseball teams.
Following his stint in the Marine Corp, Ransom returned to Colorado and enrolled at Colorado A & M University in Ft. Collins, which is now known as Colorado State University. During his college career he was a four-year letterman in both basketball and baseball.
Upon his graduation from college, Jim was drafted by the NEW YORK YANKEES BASEBALL ORGANIZATION. Playing at the AAA level for six years, he then returned to Pueblo where Ranson began his teaching and coaching career at Pueblo Central High School.
As the head basketball coach, he took his teams to two State Runner-up titles in 1964 and 1965. As the head baseball coach, Jim took Pueblo Central to the State High school Baseball Championships in 1972.
During this period, Ranson was a member of the renowned Pepsi-Cola fast pitch softball team. Playing first base for many years he was the recipient of numerous AllTournament and M.V.P. awards. After ending his fast pitch playing days, Jim went on to play in the Pueblo Slow Pitch Softball Leagues, most notably with the NAPA team and the R&L Auto Supply team. He was an All-Star first baseman in the Slow Pitch league. Ranson's achievements are many with numerous inductions into various Hall of Fames within Pueblo and the State of Colorado. It is noted that the gym floor in the Pueblo Central Gymnasium is named "Jim Ranson Court" in his honor.
Jim Maldonado (posthumously)
Jim Maldonado was honored posthumously for the contributions to the sport of fast pitch softball in Pueblo, Colorado.
As a young athlete, Jim spent his early years playing basketball for St. Francis Church. After a stint in the United States Army, he returned to Pueblo in 1961 to work in the CF&I Steel Mill. In his down time he played in a fast pitch softball league with his co-workers and friends. Maldonado was a veteran tournament player at the legendary El Rey and Bessemer Park Fields.
Jim began his softball coaching career in 1979 and recognized the value and potential in women's fast pitch softball. He created travelling teams that competed at the ASA national level from 1981 - 1987. Along with his longtime coaching associates, Gib Satterlee and Kandi Thomas, Maldonado helped young girls to achieve college scholarships.
When girl's fast pitch softball came into existence in the Pueblo schools in 1989, Jim was named the Head Girl's Softball Coach at Pueblo South High School. He led the Colts to hundreds of wins and minimal losses during his tenure. He will be remembered for the many South-Central League Titles, District Titles, and State Tournament appearances including the 1993 Colorado State High School Softball Championship. That same year Jim was named the Colorado State High School Softball "Coach of the Year".
Leroy Trujillo
Leroy Trujillo began his softball career while serving in the United States Army between 1965 and 1968, playing in Hawaii and Korea. He was a player who was able to play almost any position on the softball field. Trujillo was widely known for his versatility.
On his return to Pueblo in 1968, he played for Foundation Installers which later became the team he ultimately coached. Leroy coaching career spanned six different decades coaching such teams as El Nopal, Oasis, Pueblo Merchants, Bull Ring, Nunez Lounge and Mr. Lee's.
All of his teams consistently played against some of the toughest teams in the state. Trujillo took voung players from their early playinng days through their entire fast pitch softball careers.
Leroy coached his teams to numerous tournament titles as they competed in ISC, ASA, and the NAPA (National Fastpitch Association).
His teams played in six Colorado ASA State Fast Pitch Championship games, winning three of them.
Leroy made his players feel that they were part of his family and they remain part of his family today. His most notable characteristics are that he respected every team, every player, and every opposing coach. Most importantly he respects the game of fast pitch softball and has given his heart and soul to the game.